To ensure a sustainable work life, work demands should not exceed the capacity of members of the workforce. Digital human modelling (DHM) tools can be used to consider ergonomics issues in computer simulated settings, supporting engineers and ergonomists to proactively find design solutions that fulfil well-being related criteria. For this, DHM tools need to be able to assess risks for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). One key risk factor for MSDs is force exertions. This load dose on the human body is influenced by aspects such as the magnitude of the force, the direction of the force, the frequency of force exertion, the duration of the force exertion, and the posture held during force exertion. This paper compares force capacities for three different work postures and six force directions given by two methods: the Assembly Specific Force Atlas and the Arm Force Field. The study takes a DHM tool user’s point of view, envisioning the methods being used to assess a design proposal of a work scenario being simulated in a DHM tool. The results show that the two methods, for some conditions, predict quite similar force capacities, while for other conditions there are larger differences. Reasons for these findings are discussed.
This work has been done within the VF-KDO research profile and the LITMUS project funded by The Knowledge Foundation and the EWASS project funded by Vinnova, and by the participating organizations. Their support is gratefully acknowledged.