When you care enough to give the very best…
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010
ManikinPC2 Virtual Model
Our Newton thermal manikins never ask for much. A little electricity… a bit of clean water… some help when getting dressed. Our Newton’s seldom complain and rarely ask for anything beyond the basic necessities, so if you’ve been wondering what the perfect Christmas gift might be for the Newton in your life, we’d like to recommend our new ManikinPC2 (Manikin Physiology Control and Predictive Comfort) software.
Just imagine the joy you’ll see on Newton’s face when he learns that ManikinPC2 adds thermoregulation capabilities (something every thermal manikin needs) and creates a new closed-loop feedback control package that allows Newton to accurately mimic the human thermoregulatory system and provide metrics for comfort and sensation. The ManikinPC2 control system also permits variable activity levels that simulate the human metabolism while sleeping, resting, working, or exercising. In fact, any level of activity can be input and appropriate metabolic wattages will be imposed onto the manikin.
Simply put, giving the new ManikinPC2 software will let any Newton thermal manikin respond in real-time with an appropriate thermal response to transient inputs. So this Christmas, give the gift of thermoregulation. Help Newton grow even closer to his dream of interacting with his environment in the same way a real human would.
You can bet it will be his best Christmas ever.
Tags: Christmas, human comfort, human comfort software, manikin, ManikinPC2, newton manikin, Newton software, PC2, software integration, thermoregulatory software
Posted in Thermal Measurement | No Comments »
A “Movember” to remember
Monday, November 29th, 2010
The sudden appearance of moustache growing men around our shop at the beginning of the month signaled MTNW’s entrance into the annual “Movember” challenge.
“Movember”, the month formerly known as November, is annual charity event organized to benefit men’s health – specifically the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the LiveStrong Foundation. A “Mo” is Australian slang for moustache (Australia is where the Movember movement began in 2003), and today the program is responsible for the sprouting of thousands of Mo’s on men’s faces around the world while also raising vital awareness and funds for men’s health.
Men who grow moustaches for the month of Movember are called “Mo Bros”, and they become walking, talking billboards for the cause. Almost our entire engineering staff joined in the pursuit of decorative facial hair, and as the month draws to a close it’s clear that in less than 30 days the hirsute among us have managed to grow some impressive Mo’s.
As you can see in the photo, even Newton couldn’t resist joining the competition!
The MTNW Mo-Bros
Tags: Moustache, Movember
Posted in Thermal Measurement | No Comments »
New, for your reading pleasure
Monday, November 8th, 2010
Our latest Measurement Technology NW newsletter (issue #9) has just been released and you loyal MTNW blog readers can be among the first to see it. The Fall/Winter 2010 issue includes a review of our new TPP and RPP test devices, plus more information on a couple of exciting new products – the first is a new Integrated Chamber for the SGHP hotplate line, and the second is our advanced human comfort ManikinPC2 physiological software model for Newton. This software package was developed in combination with the good folks at ThermoAnalytics, Inc., and it’s been fully integrated into our ThermDAC manikin control software to give operators a sophisticated, intuitive, and truly powerful tool for predicting human thermal sensation and comfort.
There’s a lot more in the newsletter to talk about, but it’s probably best to just let you read it first. For a quick shortcut, click here to access issue #9. I think you’ll like it.
Sincerely,
Dave Heiss
Measurement Technology Northwest
Tags: advanced human comfort manikin, human analog, human comfort manikin, human simulation, human thermal measurement, human thermal sensation, integrated chamber, measurement technology northwest, MTNW, mtnw fall/winter newsletter, newsletter, RPP, SGHP hotplate, TPP
Posted in Thermal Measurement | No Comments »
Newton gets a little brother!
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Our New Child Manikin
Standing just 55 inches tall (139 cm) and designed to represent the morphology of a 10 year old child, Measurement Technology NW’s new Child Thermal Manikin (we call him “Timmy”) was recently completed and shipped to AITEX in Alicante, Spain.
The Child Thermal Manikin is the latest offshoot, or perhaps I should say offspring, of MTNW’s “Newton” product line. Our new Child Thermal Manikin is a 15-zone model jointed at the shoulders, hips, knees, elbows, and ankles, with computer-controlled sweating skin and walking motion capabilities. The child manikin’s smaller physical dimensions presented quite a challenge for our engineers – who were tasked with redesigning the manikin’s internal electrical and fluid supply components to fit into a body form that is significantly smaller than Newton’s, along with scaling down the walking motion stand without affecting its performance or harmonic stability. In the end everything came together as planned, and our engineers were as happy as any new parents could be.
Installation and commissioning of the system went very smoothly, and with their new Child Thermal Manikin, AITEX can now offer garment testing services for adult and child clothing sizes – a claim very few testing organizations can make!
Tags: child analog, child manikin, clothing testing, heat transfer, thermal manikin
Posted in Thermal Measurement | No Comments »
8I3M Conference was a success!
Monday, September 13th, 2010
The Eighth International Meeting for Manikins and Modeling (8I3M) was deemed a great success by all the conference attendees. The August 22-26 event, in Victoria, BC, Canada, enjoyed the happy combination of outstanding weather, first-class facilities, highly relevant presentations, lively discussions, and great food. Plus, Victoria is an outstanding city for tourism, and there was no shortage of things to do with our free time.
In putting the 8I3M conference together Measurement Technology NW received welcome support from the Sport Innovation (SPIN) Centre, the Pacific Institute of Sport Excellence (PISE), ThermoAnalytics, Inc, and W.L. Gore. Our thanks go out to all these organizations, and to the 60+ people who attended from around the world.
MTNW engineers presented the following research papers:
DEVELOPMENT OF A ROBOTIC THERMAL MANNEQUIN FOR EVALUATION OF INDIVIDUAL PROTECTIVE ENSEMBLES
APPLICATION OF MODEL-CONTROLLED MANIKIN TO PREDICT HUMAN PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN FIREFIGHTER TURNOUT GEAR
FURTHER VALIDATION OF THE MODEL-CONTROLLED NEWTON THERMAL MANIKIN AGAINST HISTORICAL HUMAN STUDIES
If you were not able to attend, you missed out receiving the 8I3M conference proceedings on a one-of-a-kind “robot” USB drive.
How appropriate for a manikin conference!
Posted in Thermal Measurement | No Comments »
Introducing the new TPP and RPP Test Devices
Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
Last week, MTNW engineers completed testing and installing two new exciting products for a customer in the Eastern USA:
- 1. TPP (Thermal Protective Performance) Test Device
- 2. RPP (Radiant Protective Performance) Test Device
The TPP device includes two propane burners and a 9-bulb quartz infrared heat lamp assembly to generate the heat profile, while the RPP uses a 5-bulb quartz lamp array.
Both devices were developed to measure the time elapsed for convective and/or radiant heat to penetrate through a protective composite fabric system – resulting in damage to human skin. The new TPP and RPP models include features not available in units built by other manufacturers, such as automatic (or manual) test operation, support for up to three copper disk calorimeter sensor assemblies, and an integrated air-cooled sensor stand that quickly prepares calorimeter sensors for next test. The TPP’s propane burner system includes flame detection auto ignition, plus a mass flow controller and panel for monitoring gas pressure and usage. A tinted acrylic shield (not shown) protects the operator, while software safety interlocks monitor water flow, carriage position, and burner ignition.
During testing, our ThermDAC control software will continuously record and display a real-time graph of the average temperature rise, depicted as a curved line representing higher and higher temperatures as heat penetrates through the composite fabric materials to the sensor. After the test is completed, the results are automatically compared to Stoll’s curve, which represents the blister point of human skin as a function of heat and time. The point of intersection between these two curves provides the composite fabric’s TPP (or RPP) rating.
The TPP complies with the NFPA 2112, ASTM F2700, ASTM F2703, and ISO 17492 test standards. The RPP complies with ASTM F1939 and F2702.
To learn more about these new products, go to TPP Product Page or RPP Product Page.
Tags: ASTM F1939, ASTM F2700, ASTM F2702, ASTM F2703, ISO 17492, NFPA 2112, thermal, Thermal Measurement
Posted in Thermal Measurement | No Comments »
IPEMS Phase 1 is Complete!
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
As regular Measurement Technology NW followers may know, back in November 2008 MTNW and a group that included Midwest Research Institute, Boston Dynamics, Smith Carter CUH2A, and HHI Corporation were chosen by the US Army to design and build “IPEMS” (Individual Protection Ensemble Mannequin System). This project includes state-of-the-art chemical testing facilities and a first-of-its-kind robotic thermal mannequin to perform high-resolution testing of protective clothing and equipment under live chemical exposure conditions. The IPEMS mannequin will be a freestanding, self-balancing robot that will simulate human physiology for realistic tests of protective equipment in a controlled environment.
Measurement Technology NW’s role is to develop IPEMS’s skin surface segments and thermal control systems, while other partnering companies developed the robotic mannequin’s internal structure. Integrating full-function thermal, perspiration, and chemical sensing controls into a 50th percentile body form, while also fitting it over an internal robotic structure capable of ranges of movement far beyond that of existing mannequin systems, presented some significant challenges. Adding more complexity to this challenge was the need for sealed skin surfaces and joints to prevent chemical agent contamination, while still allowing internal access for service and repairs.
The IPEMS mannequin design that emerged from Phase 1 – the design phase – included a body surface segmented into 17 separate hard-shell regions (14 independent thermal zones), each with sweating capability and chemical sensing ports. Overall, Phase 1 was a successful effort. Phase 2 – the fabrication phase – will include first-article build up of a mannequin shell region and joint sleeve. After decontamination testing and safety/operational procedures are finalized, work will begin on building the first IPEMS mannequin.
Tags: Boston Dynamics, IPEMS, thermal manikin, thermal mannequin, Thermal Measurement, thermal testing
Posted in Thermal Measurement | Comments Off
The 8I3M conference is only two months away!
Monday, June 21st, 2010
Had the pleasure of visiting Victoria, BC, Canada last week to hold some pre-event meetings for the 8I3M conference (Eighth International Meeting for Manikins and Modeling). After a review of the excellent facilities at PISE (Pacific Institute of Sports Excellence, our conference site) and the Hotel Grand Pacific – confirming the room layouts, choosing menu selections with the caterers, and finalizing the details on shuttle bus transportation between the Hotel Grand Pacific and PISE – I had a little time to walk around and see the beautiful city of Victoria. My visit happened to coincide with “Fleet Week” and the 100th anniversary celebration of the Canadian Navy. Naval ships from Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and the USA were in port, and the streets were full of happy sailors enjoying a day off. They, and I, had a wonderful time, as will everyone attending the 8I3M conference.
For those of you who plan to attend, please register (www.i3mmeeting.com) and make your hotel reservations NOW. The room block we have reserved at the Hotel Grand Pacific (www.hotelgrandpacific.com) is filling up, and we are also getting close to the deadline for confirming the 8I3M space requirements at PISE.
Don’t delay or you will miss out on the year’s premier conference for research involving thermal manikins and human modeling.
Tags: 8I3M, Thermal Measurement
Posted in Thermal Measurement | No Comments »
Employee Appreciation
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010
During an MTNW staff year-end review and planning meeting that took place early last year, a suggestion was made that the company should do more than just breathe a big sigh of relief whenever a new piece of thermal testing equipment was shipped out. Based on that humble suggestion MTNW put into motion a well-received employee appreciation program we call the “shipping lunch”. On the Friday of any week in which a new thermal manikin, guarded hotplate, or flame test device is completed and shipped, MTNW brings in lunch for the production and engineering staff.
There is no shortage of dining choices here in Seattle, and our shipping lunches tend to reflect the diversity of the local cuisine. Greek, Italian, Mexican, Southern BBQ, Indian, Thai, Cuban, Japanese (sushi) and good ‘ol American fare have all taken turns on the menu, but I have to reserve special mention for last week’s shipping lunch, featuring burgers from the Lunch Box Laboratory. These incredible burgers (mine was the bacon-topped “Hothead”) were easily the biggest and tastiest I have ever had. Satisfying enough to induce a food coma – especially when washed down with a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup shake – it was an experience that will have to be repeated someday. If, that is, I ever feel hungry again.
Tags: employee appreciation, lunch, Thermal Measurement
Posted in Thermal Measurement | No Comments »
NEMO Gets His 15 Minutes of Fame
Monday, May 24th, 2010
NEMO, our submersible thermal manikin system, doesn’t make the headlines very often. After all, a true-weight cast aluminum sweating thermal manikin that is designed to operate underwater at depths of up to 10 feet (3 meters) is a rather specialized piece of equipment built to fulfill a unique set of research needs. Nevertheless, NEMO is in the news this week thanks to a new installation at Japan’s Ministry of Defense.
Ministry researchers had been try to secure funding for NEMO since 2006, but after years of negotiations things came together quickly in late 2009 and, by February 15th, we had an order in-hand along with an extremely challenging delivery date. Because of government procurement regulations associated with the end of Japan’s fiscal year, MTNW engineers had to design, build, test, and ship a custom 50th percentile (Japanese Male) sweating NEMO system in less than 14 weeks!
I’m not kidding when I say that our Japanese agents (IDS) and the whole MTNW team went into overdrive on this project. Thanks to everyone’s efforts we successfully met the deadline and last week’s installation went very smoothly. Now the customer is happy, our agent is happy, and we’re happy. Dazed and more than a little bit tired… but happy.
Tags: Nemo, thermal, thermal manikin, thermal mannequin, Thermal Measurement, thermal testing
Posted in Thermal Measurement | No Comments »
