Page 309 - Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

302 Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

Fig. 11.2 Upon construction of clothing, chest girth is displayed as part of the horizontal width
of the structure.

sizes for consumers are less misunderstood because they are not affected by the igno-
rance of the linguistic or encoding meanings of the labeling.

11.3.5 Usage of 3D scanning and virtual prototyping

There are possibilities to eliminate the deficiencies in PPE design and supply pro-
cesses, which are associated with body measurements, if body measurement analysis
of a large group of people is done using a noncontact measuring method. The signif-
icant task is to improve manufacturer data tables of the end user measurements by
automated obtaining of a large number of measurements (Song and Ashdown,
2015). It has to be done, considering that so far patternmaking is performed using
a body measurement database, which has not been updated for years, and not by taking
any additional end-user body measurements.
Anthropometrical data can be acquired with different tools. Traditional methods
use different manual tools (measuring tape, anthropometer, a.o.). As the technologies
develop, new tools are created, and/or the existent ones are improved.
Photo measuring methods are fast and effective, but the processing of data is time
consuming and labor intensive. A relatively new tool (approximately since 1980; Fan
et al., 2004) in anthropometry is the 3D scanner. Considering the advantages of 3D
scanning, the scanning technologies are being developed and improved. Most of
the scanners not only can create a 3D image of the human body, but can also read
the x, y, and z coordinates, thereby acquiring precise information about the human
body and its volumes (EN ISO 20685:2015). Each method has its advantages and dis-
advantages. In spite of the fact that laser scanning has been recognized as the most
precise method and the gathered results are the most extensive (human body measure-
ment data, a 3D virtual mannequin, a reflection of the actual texture, surface relief
measurements, etc.), the light projection method is used more widely in the garment
production industry, since the equipment is much cheaper than a laser scanner.