Computer-aided fit testing: an approach for examining the user/equipment interface

摘要

Abstract: Developments in laser digitizing technology now make itpossible to capture very accurate 3D images of thesurface of the human body in less than 20 seconds.Applications for the images range from animation ofmovie characters to the design and visualization ofclothing and individual equipment (CIE). In this paperwe focus on modeling the user/equipment interface.Defining the relative geometry between user andequipment provides a better understanding of equipmentperformance, and can make the design cycle moreefficient. Computer-aided fit testing (CAFT) is theapplication of graphical and statistical techniques tovisualize and quantify the human/equipment interface invirtual space. In short, CAFT looks to measure therelative geometry between a user and his or herequipment. The design cycle changes with theintroducing CAFT; now some evaluation may be done inthe CAD environment prior to prototyping. CAFT may beapplied in two general ways: (1) to aid in the creationof new equipment designs and (2) to evaluate currentdesigns for compliance to performance specifications.We demonstrate the application of CAFT with twoexamples. First, we show how a prototype helmet may beevaluated for fit, and second we demonstrate how CAFTmay be used to measure body armor coverage. !7