A biomechanical analysis for improved ergonomics in metal detector products using trajectory optimisation

Abstract

[Abstract]: Along with enabling technologies that drive function, ergonomics has become an increasingly important factor in the mechanical design of a product. This is particularly relevant to the assessment of equipment that is used over extended periods of time. In many large hand-held devices, balance is an important aspect of ergonomics and mismatched inertial properties will likely result in user discomfort and injury. Organizations have a responsibility to understand the full impact of their products whilst ensuring satisfactory performance. The focus of this study is to underpin the dynamics of human-product interaction with respect to metal detector products and to provide an analysis tool to better understand the impact of a design on the end user. This report details existing literature, the technical approach to the study, objectives, and methodologies. Presented is both a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the impacts of macro-movement ergonomics (good and bad) on the end-users of metal-detector products by modelling dynamics of the human-product interaction.