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In general manufacturing consists of a sequence of actions on different spots. Depending on the sequence, workers may have to approach a spot from varying angles. The purpose of the study conducted was to describe the whole-body orientation and position when approaching a spot for a manufacturing action from five different angles, starting several meters away. Eight subjects were instructed to perform three different actions (knob rotating, pneumatic wrenching, and button pressing) at six working height s (between ankle height and eye height). The actions were selected for their varying level of constraint at the subject-environment interface. Amongst others, it was disclosed that there is a linear relationship between the final whole-body orientation (while performing the action) and the initial approach angle (while being on the starting position, directed to the manufacturing spot).

This paper describes postural behaviour in static reaching sidewards, and the role of the trunk in particular. It turned out that the trunk (chest, pelvis) is not involved when reaching sidewards up to roughly 40-50° (depending on the reach distance). At greater angles the arm, the chest, and the pelvis each contribute at a particular rate to get the index finger onto target. These rates are reasonably similar to the average contributions of the arm, chest, and pelvis to the total of the range of motions of the arm, chest, and pelvis, suggesting that these segments share the musculoskeletal load equally.

This paper describes postural behaviour in static gazing sidewards. The results show that the head (supported by underlying segments) contributes at a particular rate to get the gaze onto target. This rate is reduced in the case that postural constraints are present, i.e., restricted ranges of motion of the pelvis (in sitting) and the chest (due to fixed hand positions), suggesting that postural behaviour is guided by some sort of musculoskeletal load sharing.

This paper describes postural behaviour in static gazing up-/downwards without postural constraints concerning the trunk/chest. The results show that the head and the eyes contribute at a constant ratio to get the gaze onto target. This particular ratio is similar to the ratio of their ranges of motion, which suggests that the head and the eyes share the musculoskeletal load equally.

The Boeing McDonnell Douglas Human Modelling System was evaluated in two experiments. One involving fit of manikins to actaul body scans and conventional data, and the other comparing manikin reach envelopes with human data. Systematic deviations in proportions were found, such as overestimation of sitting height and underestimation of sitting depth and hip width. Reach envelopes were roughly of the correct size, but somewhat displaced, which was traced back to erroneous shift of the shoulder joint. It is concluded that proportions, shoulder joint and lack of compression of soft tissue created undesirable deviations.