APPLICATION OF MATHEMATICAL MODELLING METHODS TO IMPROVE THE ACCURACY OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL GLOVE DESIGN

Abstract

The relevance of the study is due to the growing demands for high-precision three-dimensional design of gloves, the need to adequately reproduce the complex morphology of the hand and its biomechanical behavior during movement requires the implementation of the latest mathematical and numerical modeling methods that are able to ensure the adaptability and predictive performance of digital glove prototypes. The purpose of the article is to scientifically substantiate the use of mathematical modelling methods to enhance the accuracy of 3D glove design through the integrated consideration of anatomical characteristics of the hand, material properties, and finger kinematics. The study investigates the capabilities of parametric modelling, finite element analysis, dynamic anthropometry, and motion-based reconstruction of finger trajectories; numerical methods are used to predict local deformations, analyse the mechanical behaviour of elastomers, and construct a biomechanical digital twin of the «hand–glove» system. Comparative analysis, digital reconstruction techniques, and the framework of integrated parametric design are applied. It has been established that the accuracy of digital glove models critically depends on the synchronisation of geometric, material, and kinematic parameters. The effectiveness of combining static and dynamic anthropometric data to form adaptive glove geometry has been demonstrated. Key challenges have been identified, including the reconstruction of fine-scale interphalangeal morphology, modelling of combined deformation modes, and integrating nonlinear material behaviour into digital geometry. It has been concluded that the integration of advanced mathematical and numerical methods reduces modelling errors, optimises material thickness and stiffness, ensures stable glove fit, and enhances functional reliability across different application domains. Future research is expected to focus on improving models of soft-tissue behaviour in dynamic conditions, expanding anthropometric datasets, developing multiphysics simulations to account for thermal and contact effects, and creating standardised digital protocols for virtual testing of next-generation gloves.