Ergonomic and work methods optimization in a three dimensional virtual environment

This paper describes a simulation study carried out to improve work methods and reduce ergonomic risks in an assembly workstation. The approach proposed by authors aims at modifying the equipment and analyzing workers' ergonomic stress level. Modeling and Simulation is a powerful tool for studying complex systems as assembly workstation; in this study simulation results are in the form of responses to "what-if" analysis. Such approach has allowed to test different workstation configurations; the final configuration performs better than the actual configuration both in terms of work methods and ergonomic issues.