RAMSIS - A New CAD-Tool for Ergonomic Analysis of Vehicles Developed for the German Automotive Industry 970088

In past decades, 2D-templates have been in use for ergonomic evaluations of the interior of vehicles. While the designing process of cars has been considerably improved by the employment of 3D-CAD systems, the development of templates has mainly remained on the 2D-level. In addition to the basic discrepancy in the dimensionality of the templates and the workplaces to be designed there is a considerable lack of possibilities to analyse body postures and comfort feelings in the process of ergonomic design.

To overcome these deficiencies FAT and the automobile firms AUDI, BMW, FORD, MERCEDES-BENZ, OPEL, PORSCHE, VW as well as the manufacturers of seats KEIPER RECARO and NAUE/JOHNSON CONTROLS initiated the research project of a new CAD man model, the 3D-softdummy RAMSIS. Apart from recording new anthropometric data, ergonomic research concentrated on two points: Measuring of body postures and movements as well as analysis of postural comfort.

As the data available was by far insufficient, it was necessary to develop a completely new 3D-measuring system to analyse postures and movements. The conceptually new idea distinguishing RAMSIS from other comparable systems is to use the man model itself as a measuring tool. The test person is recorded with CCD-cameras. The measuring process is done in the computer by interactive adjustment of the RAMSIS model until a complete overlay of man model and test person is achieved.

To transfer the information gained into a simple instrument, the CAD tool RAMSIS has been created. The core of RAMSIS is the 3D-man model. A diversity of functions simplifies ergonomic analysis for the user. Especially, the designer interactively describes the tasks requested, e.g. hands at the steering wheel, etc. A typology of postures then automatically calculates the corresponding realistic body posture of the man model. An assessment of comfort gives complete information relating to the quality of the design tested as well as reference to possible improvements. Sight simulation can be done by looking at the scene with RAMSIS' eyes. All these features of RAMSIS raise the results of ergonomic analysis to a new level of quality thus opening doors to an essentially improved design of cars and workplaces.