3D body scanning has suitable reliability: An anthropometric investigation for garment construction

3D Body Scanning provides access to a greater breadth and depth of anthropometric data for industry applications and scientific research than at any other point in history. However, while the potential of this technology for revolutionising industrial and scientific practices has been established, little exists addressing its appropriateness in terms of reliability within recognised allowable error. To address this issue, this study investigates the degree to which 3D Body Scanning can produce reliable anthropometric measurements for use in garment construction and scientific research. 27 participants were repeatedly scanned using a SizeStream Body Scanner five consecutive times to find out the variation in reliability between instances of data capture. The variance to three Standard Deviations was then compared to established allowable error guidelines to assess suitability of the measurements attained. The main outcome of this study is that 3D Body Scanning can achieve suitable reliability to be used in garment construction, tailoring, and scientific research; providing 99.73% confidence in the suitability of extracted dimensions in 49% of the most commonly used body measurements. However, other measurements achieved less exceptional reliability, and therefore use of traditional measurement methods need to be considered carefully when generating tailored garments or comparing anthropometric data sets from 3D Body Scanners. As a consequence of this study, 3D Body Scanning shows suitable reliability for most garment construction and anthropometric research tasks.