CAD features to model physical aspects of human-machine interactions

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The objective of a virtual product development is to provide information on how decisions made in the early stages of the design process will affect the resulting product properties. In this context, a consistent flow of data within the computer aided process chain plays a crucial role. In many areas (e.g. CAM) this requirement has already been fulfilled with the introduction of the feature technology. However, the process integration of digital human models to address ergonomic questions remains unsolved. Primarily, there is a lack of methods to model interactions between the human model and the CAD geometry in a consistent way. The objective of this research project is to augment virtual product models with information on physical aspects of human-machine interactions. This is accomplished by introducing a novel class of CAD features that associate geometric elements of the human-machine interface with fundamental human interaction possibilities (affordances). This approach facilitates an automated evaluation of the design status against ergonomic requirements such as postural comfort and reachability. Moreover a synchronous monitoring of the compliance with ergonomic standards in product and workplace design is imaginable.