XML-based neutral schema for automated ergonomic analysis with digital human simulation and inline motion capture

The information needed to perform ergonomic simulations of a plant process includes the bill of material of the product, plant layout, CAD files of the facilities/equipment/tools/parts constructed in the plant, work processes and motion information of a worker. Product lifecycle management (PLM) consists of the integrated management of product-related information throughout the entire lifecycle of the product, from understanding the customers needs, which is the initial product planning step, to maintenance and repair, which comprise the last step. PLM has drawn attention as a core strategy for the informatisation of production, which is essential to the various challenges currently faced by the manufacturing industry, such as timely product development and cooperation between different departments or firms. Most studies on data management using PLM systems, however, have focused on managing product information. Therefore, this study extends the range of information managed through PLM to the product, plant, process, resources and human factors (P3RH), and the P3RH schema is defined for the purpose of providing integrated management. An automated ergonomic simulation system was developed to test the defined schema consisting of a PLM system, inline motion capture system, PLM integrator and ergonomic simulator. Furthermore, the P3RH schema defined in this study is used for system integration.