Virtual reality for assembly simulation and ergonomic analysis in automotive chain of production

In the last years the motion capture technology is getting more and more common tool in realizing simulations, especially ergonomic. This technology ensures the simulation more interactive than using ordinary ergonomic analysis. The virtual reality allows user to be immersed into a virtual environment, where he can move and act as in a real context. Generally the evaluation of the user's performance, comfort, fatigue of the action can be done thanks to ergonomic analyses performed by operators who define and then analyze the theoretical trajectories of a standard manikin's movements. The mail goal of this work is the use of motion capture technologies and virtual environment for dynamic analysis based on real movements and postures of operators. The ergonomic analysis and simulation finally guarantee the operator's healthcare and the full respect of the safety ergonomic conditions; a case study for automotive assembly production chain is presented.