Pressure Distribution on Hand's Palm as Evaluation Technique of Product Design

Abstract

The design of a product can be evaluated in various ways by selecting or isolating several variables. However, for studies involving ergonomics and usability of hand tools, it is common to study physical aspects of that interaction, such as anthropometric aspects, biomechanical forces to perform a task or normal usage. This study aims to discuss the analysis instruments available, their characteristics and applicability for comparative evaluations of different designs of hand tools. With the advancement of technology, new analysis instruments also allowed the assessment of pressure distribution over the hand palm while using a hand tool. The pressure distribution is related both to the force applied by the individual, and the characteristics of the interface. Thus, even interactions with relatively low forces can substantially impair the use of a product, if that force is concentrated in a small area. The knowledge of pressure distribution on hand's palm is decisive to the hand tools design.

Keywords: Pressure Distribution, Hand palm, Design Evaluation

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1001285