Abstract
AbstractA series of field trials with pipefitters in North America was conducted to explore how their spatial cognition influenced their performance on a scale model assembly task. Participants were provided one of three information formats, traditional, two-dimensional (2D) isometric drawings, 2D isometric drawings supplemented with a 2D visual rendering of a three-dimensional (3D) image of the assembly, and 2D isometric drawings supplemented with a 3D physical model of the assembly. Card rotation and cube comparison tests were administered to measure spatial cognition. This paper’s primary contribution centers around the discovery that individual spatial cognition significantly influenced the pipefitter’s performance, but the format of information can neutralize the effect. Both the information format and spatial cognition significantly influenced performance. When only 2D information was provided, participants with relatively low spatial cognition performed significantly worse than participants with relatively higher spatial cognition. When the 2D isometric drawings were supplemented with 3D information, participants with lower spatial cognition were able to complete the model assembly as efficiently and effectively as participants with higher spatial cognition.