IMProVe 2011 - Proceedings

Industrial Design and Ergonomics
In order to create new visual and tactile repertoire of synthetic materials, many different
manufacturing methodologies and procedures have been tested, each one highlighting
different characteristics and critical aspects.
Discussion & Conclusion:
Although many technologies and methodologies to acquire and manipulate accurate 3d
models are actually available and widespread, nowadays the best way to build realitybased
3D models that contain a pre-defined level of detail is still a combination of
different modeling techniques. In fact, as a single technique is not yet able to give
satisfactory results in all situations, concerning high geometric accuracy, portability,
flexibility as well as hyper-realism, so that image-based and range-based techniques are
generally combined to fully exploit the intrinsic potentialities of each approach.
Keywords: Micro-scale observations, 3d scanning, hyper-realism, uncanny effects,
synthetic material
Corresponding Author: Anna Maria Manferdini
Tel.: +39.0547.338311
Fax.: +39.0547.338307
e-mail: am.manferdini@unibo.it
Address: 55 Cavalcavia Street, 47023 Cesena, Italy
Validation of a new index for seat comfort assessment
based on objective and subjective measurements
A. Lanzotti (a), M. Trotta (a), A. Vanacore (a)
(a) University of Naples Federico II, Faculty of Engineering
Abstract:
Purpose:
This work aims at validating a new statistical index (Weighted Pressure Comfort Loss,
WPCL) for seat comfort assessment. The validation is carried out by deepening the
relationship between subjective comfort evaluations and objective measures of seat
comfort and comparing, from an engineering standpoint, the new index with the pressure
peak which is currently one of the most used indexes for seat comfort assessment.
Method:
In the experimental phase, 22 experimenters evaluated four office chairs, by using
different evaluation scales and methods (rating, ranking, comfort degree). The subjective
comfort perceptions were collected through questionnaires. At the same time, several
objective parameters related to seat comfort were measured by using a capacitive mat. In
order to select the objective comfort measures which are significantly associated to the
perceived comfort, a logistic regression model was adopted.
Result:
The logistic regression model selected the peak pressure as a significant predictor of
perceived comfort whereas, the hypothesis of absence of correlation between the
June 15 th – 17 th , 2011, Venice, Italy
20
IMProVe 2011 - Proceedings