Link Lengths and Simple Reach Calculations

T. Armstrong
U of Michigan Center for Ergonomics
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~tja/
10/14/22

This page provides standing height data1 and average body proportions2 for simple posture and reach calculations.

Units:

Enter bending angle (at hip 0 is the default; 45 is the max):

	Females			Males
Stature1	1504	1618	1730	1636	1755	1880
Select

Links Fraction2 Length3 1. Stature1 1.000 1504 2. Center-Shoulder 0.129 194 3. Center-Hip 0.096 144 4. Floor-Shoulder 0.818 1230 5. Floor-Hip 0.530 797 6. Shoulder-Elbow 0.188 283 7. Elbow-Wrist 0.145 218 8. Hand-Touch 0.108 162 9. Pinch - 65% Hand 0.070 105 10. Grip - 35% Hand 0.038 57 11. Shoulder-Touch 0.441 663 12. Shoulder-Pinch 0.403 606 13. Shoulder-Grip 0.371 558

Enter bench dimensions in mm:

Height

x

Depth

x

Width

Enter reach location with respect to worker in mm:

Height

x

Fore/aft

x

Rt+/Lft-

Enter belly space (use 100 mm default):

Specify hand posture⁴ & calculate reach⁵

Calc Reach - touch Calc Reach- pinch Calc Reach- grip

Reach

Sholder Location (horizontal, vertical):

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Lifting considerations

¹National Health Survey. For latest data see: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_11/sr11_252.pd
²from: Drillis, R., Contini, R., & Bluestein, M. (1966). Body segment parameters. New York University, School of Engineering and Science.
³Average link lengths for specified stature
⁴Gordon C, Churchill,T, Clauser C, Bradtmiller B, McConville J 1989. Anthropometric Survey of U.S. Army Personnel: Summary Statistics, Interim Report for 1988. pp. 190-1, 322-323, 332-333, Technical Report Nubmer ADA209600, http://www.stormingmedia.us/00/0069/A006902.html.

⁵Reach distance^* = ((Upper Arm + Forearm + Hand Length^**)²-(Shoulder Ht - Bench Ht)²))^1/2