Page 35 - Anthropometry, Apparel Sizing and Design

Anthropometric methods for apparel design: Body measurement devices and techniques 31

Fig. 2.2 Frankfurt plane (or, orbitale; tr, tragion).

connecting the left tragion and the left orbitale is horizontal just before taking a mea-
surement. In the basic sitting posture, the subject sits erect with thighs fully supported
by a hard horizontal plane. The head is oriented in the Frankfurt plane. Proper instruc-
tions are necessary to ensure that the subject maintains the proper posture during the
measurement.

2.2.2 Measuring instruments
The instruments that are used in traditional anthropometry are calibrated in millime-
ters. Measurements are read to the nearest millimeter except small measurements of
the head, hand, or foot. Fig. 2.3 shows the main instruments used in traditional
methods.
The anthropometer and tape measure are usually used in anthropometry for gar-
ment design. The anthropometer is used to measure a vertical distance from the floor
to a specific landmark. Four rods are put together to make an anthropometer
(Fig. 2.3A), and a straight arm is inserted into the cursor. The measurer holds the
rod of the anthropometer vertical, slides the cursor, and places the tip of the arm
on the target landmark. The measurer should keep the tip of the arm away from
the eyes of the subject.
A large sliding caliper consists of one or two rod(s) of the anthropometer and two
arms (Fig. 2.3B, left). It is used for measuring large distances between two landmarks
and for breadth and depth measurements. Curved arms are used instead of straight
arms when necessary (e.g., measuring the chest depth in the midsagittal plane).
The length of the two arms must be the same except when the projected distance
between two landmarks is measured.