Biomechanics and Ergonomics Applied to

Product Design and Medical Planning

A. Pérez, M. Vergara, X. Sancho, F.T. Sánchez, P.J. Rodríguez
Biomechanics and Ergonomics Division, INNOVEM, Departamento de Tecnología.
Universitat Jaume I, Campus Riu Sec,12071-Castellón (Spain)
Email : aperez@tec.uji.es
Major Keyword: product design Minor Keywords : simulation, ergonomics, prosthesis
1. Overview
The Biomechanics and Ergonomics Division of the INNOVEM Centre works in the simulation and
testing in biomechanics and ergonomics to design products adapted to the user and to the patient. Its
collaboration with other centres and groups (Institute of Biomechanics of Valencia, Stomatology
Department of the University of Valencia, Kaplan Institute of Barcelona, Cornell University, Paul W.
Brand Biomechanics Lab., University of Amsterdam) reinforce the multidisciplinary character of the
group.
This paper shows an overview of some of the projects we are currently developing.
2. Research fields
Our research activities are orie nted to the application of biomechanics and ergonomics to the design of
products in a broad sense, from hand tools to prostheses. Computational methods, based on commercial
software (ProEngineer, Nastran, Marc, Adams) or specially designed CAD/CAE systems, are used to
simulate the mechanical forces and kinematics involved in the actions analysed. Additionally, we use
different experimental techniques (electrogoniometry, high-speed camera, photogrametric
reconstruction, accelerometers, EMG) to measure positions, angles, velocities, forces or vibrations in
the systems or processes studied.
3. Projects
Our current projects are:
• Development of a CAE tool aimed to help for prosthesis knee design and implatation (fig 1). The
tool is based on a rigid body model of the knee joint with compliant contact.
• Study of the resistance of composite-made prosthetic abutments for use in dental reconstruction
(fig 2). The work includes the construction of a machine to conduct durability tests in dental
components.
• Study of ergonomic problems associated to the use of powered hand tools (fig 3).
• The development of a whole hand 3D-model with application to the hand tools design (fig. 4) and
surgical planning.
• The study or ergonomic problems associated to the sitting posture and its implications in the seat
design.
• The study of fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth with aesthetic posts.

Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4