FABIO GONCALVES TEIXEIRA

The conceptual design step is the most complex of the design process and brings great challenges to designers. The number of possible concepts from a combination of functional principles can reach millions. This could derail an exhaustive search for the best possible concepts. So, this work proposes an evolutionary approach to that problem. The result is a framework based on a Genetic Algorithm (GA) that combines the specific properties of the design process with the core of GA, improving this process as a natural evolution.

The aim of this paper is comparing both tridimensional scanners: white light Artec Eva; and Infra-red light Microsoft Kinect. This comparison enables evaluate possibilities of these equipments for developing user-centered product projects. It was carried out comparison's concerning both precision and dimensional deviation through virtual and physical models generated by CAD and CAM systems. It was verified the need of eliminating the human body movement by using physical models in the performed analysis. As a result, both scanners demonstrated measurement precision, with the advantage of Artec Eva over Microsoft Kinect. The selection of the most appropriated scanner concerning the projects needs evolves factors such as: the available cost for the project; and the required precision fidelity for the aimed product. Both digital scanners considered in this paper contribute to the development of customized products, showing the relationships between tools and needed product fidelity.

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the feasibility of parameterization of custom basic molds, eliminating the need for making a mold for each user. This method uses the three-dimensional scanning to obtain the anthropometric measurements, and the user’s body silhouette and parameterize these measures, causing the production of a single basic mold is necessary to meet users with different anthropometric characteristics. A low-cost 3D scanner was used, Microsoft Kinect, to obtain the 3D model of the user’s body and the Grasshopper modeling algorithm for setting the mold. Thus, a research participant was scanned and, from your 3D model, anthropometric measurements were obtained for setting the mold. The final model was built and experienced by the participant for validation purposes. The results were satisfactory in showing high precision in anthropometric model produced. Thus, the study addressed brings important contribution to the development of products for clothing in areas as they provide flexibility in the basic mold production process and product measurements with high accuracy and hence increase the degree of comfort for the user.