Caldeira, Luiz Felipe Dutraa; Castañon, José Alberto Barrosob; Saraiva, Tatiana Santosc; Araújo, Thiago Thielmann ded
a Mestrado em Ambiente Construído, Departamento de Engenharia, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus da
UFJF, 4ª Plataforma do Setor de Tecnologia, Bairro Martelos, MG, Brasil, e-mail: [email protected]; b Idem ª, e-mail: [email protected]; c idem a, e-mail: [email protected]; d idem a, e-mail: [email protected]
1. INTRODUCTION
Ergonomics is a multidisciplinary field oriented and can be applied to all human activities (International Ergonomics Association, 2011). It can also be considered, a discipline that studies to improve the relationship between man and the system within their work environment (GASPERINI, 2010). It can affect various areas such as physical, cognitive, social, organizational, environmental and others. Furthermore, they can be applied individually or mutually in various spheres. This work addresses the cognitive ergonomics that is intended to improve "mental interaction with the user's environment and with artifacts" (GRIZ, CARVALHO and PEIXOTO, 2007).
In recent decades, the ergonomics have been more present in the production process, because a large number of companies have invested in high technology, developing new products and simulate future activities, as is possible to experience through virtual models manipulated in Virtual Reality Center (VRC). Thus it is possible to establish a predictability allied to the model in order to achieve higher quality with regard, safety, comfort and efficiency of all layers or components of a building system.
This work head to explore these possibilities of partnership of virtual models included in the concept of virtual reality, so that it can signal the advantages of having such tools to add advantages in the construction of the real model as efficiently as possible.
2. DISCUSSION ON ERGONOMICS AND JOB SECURITY
To solve problems related to a project until a few decades ago, it was necessary to gather information through many different professionals, which demanded a long time to make a decision. Professionals related to the project always took care to represent as clearly as possible their projects, using graphical representations of two-dimensional form. Recently, at the project offices, the use of Information Technology (TI) brought many benefits, that can improve communication and information control, speed, competitiveness and quality of work.
Currently, you can count on the help of a large number of computing resources, such as virtual reality and graphics computation in order to reduce these problems, facilitating the simultaneous use of the projects giving also more clarity and flexibility to them.
The main objective of virtual models is to improve visualization and understanding of what is proposed as a project or product, making the end result meets human needs. The use of these models reduces the need for physical models, the cost of manufacturing real prototypes and the time spent in creating projects.
On the other hand we can say that the design, along with ergonomics, is a line of work that improves the relationship between the user and his environment. The design is a creative and interdisciplinary activity, which aims at meeting the relationship between man interface and ergonomics, aesthetic aspects, with modern techniques to reduce the difficulties in a project. The integration between design and ergonomics makes better the interdisciplinary technology, creating new products, more satisfying and pleasurable, that suit most users.
With the use of virtual models it is possible to increase the predictability of situations through a more efficient number of simulations, faster and with more quality of analysis. As an example (picture 1), the situation in which a simple simulation of a body guard can be studied over and over again, in a fast and reliable, and adapted at its height or structure in an attempt to ensure better security.
Figure 1: Virtual Model allied to ergonomics in order to increase results in job security. Studying the body guard height In: Google images. Access: 10 oct 2011.
Within the virtual environment, they become essential tools for the discussion of possibilities that will add quality, as can be seen in its relation to areas such as job security, through risk mapping or establishment of components that are intended not only security user, but also their comfort.
3. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
Virtual Reality (VR) brings many benefits, in all stages of the project, from conception to final implementation phase. VR allows to share and evaluate ideas, in real time, within a project that integrate all processes, increasing the quality. However, there are some factors that difficult the application of virtual reality, such as the need for skilled professionals and more powerful computers.
The supply of prototyping components to the construction industry still not a very common practice in Brazil, which difficult the work of professionals in design, thus preventing more complete results of the projects executed and faithful. There is a high possibility that RV will become a tool of great importance for the construction industry. For this to be true, it is vital the dissemination of these concepts among the professionals, as well as the development of software, hardware and new technologies, increasingly seeking more affordable the use of VR.
The visualization of virtual models allows a greater understanding of what is being proposed by professionals, making the virtual models contribute to the ergonomics. These professionals have the use of virtual reality, an important tool that meets the requirements of ergonomics.
4. REFERENCES
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