Design

NexGen Ergonomics Releases HumanCAD 4

NexGen Ergonomics has released the latest version of their human modeling solution for simulating ergonomics and human factors.

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HumanCAD allows designers and engineers to easily test their designs against various human factors. (Image courtesy of NexGen Ergonomics.)

HumanCAD allows designers and engineers to easily test their designs against various human factors. (Image courtesy of NexGen Ergonomics.)

Since releasing the ManneQuin/HumanCAD series of human modeling tools in 1990, NexGen has aided designers, engineers, architects and manufacturers in creating digital humans in a three-dimensional environment for determining the anthropometry, or human fit, of products and workplaces before they are built. 

On June 6, the company unveiled the fifth generation of its popular human modeling platform, HumanCAD 4. 

While the software makes modeling the human form easy for reach, vision, comfort and fit requirements, a set of ergonomic evaluation tools provides further data on factors such as potential injury risk and postural analysis. 

Notable new features in the latest release include: 

  • Improved skinning algorithms
  • The ability to attach objects together
  • The ability to edit ranges of motion and to save and reuse custom ranges of motion databases
  • Support for both ambinocular and binocular vision
  • Option to keep the manipulator in the world reference frame orientation while manipulating an object
  • Ability to modify the display color of the mesh on imported objects
  • Ability to paint 3D reach clouds onto a surface of a workstation using Comfort Zones
  • New animation capability allows users to create movements for mannequins and objects by selecting posture, position and orientation for each key frame and features collision detection and attached objects support 

Like other versions before it, HumanCAD 4 allows customers to purchase separate modules that are specific to their needs. Each basic copy of the software includes digital human creation tools that utilize multiple feature libraries and databases, configurations in inverse and forward kinematics and vision and reach analysis. Additional modules available for more specific purposes include the Advanced Functions Set, the Child module, the CADExchange and Ergo Tools. 

HumanCAD is a Certified Solution partner for SOLIDWORKS. Those interested can try a 15-day trial of the software for free by heading over to the HumanCAD website.

Simon Martin is a writer and industrial designer in New York City.