Bio-surfaces and geometric references for mass customization in bio-interface design

Mass customization of products that interface with the human body poses unique problems due to the complexities of bio-interface design, the lack of biomechanical techniques in traditional mechanical design, and the absence of specific parametric strategies. Current biomechanical design often follows craftsman-like design processes using less than state-of-the-art tools and techniques. Thus, products that interface with the human body are not readily parameterized or automated. This paper presents a strategy for implementing mass customization in the design of mechanical devices that interface with the human body. This strategy is based on three methods that include: a method for capturing and representing the human body so that the model can be used with state-of-the-art tools and solid modeling techniques, a design methodology based on feature structure planning allowing the design process to be reused and automated, and a strategy for identifying parametric variables tied to the human body. A case study is presented to illustrate the proposed process.