Assessing the accuracy of peak and cumulative low back analyses when human anthropometry is scaled in a virtual environment.

This study addressed the effect of scaling subjects in a virtual reality environment when performing ergonomic evaluations for assembly automotive tasks. Ten male and ten female automotive employees participated in this study. Subjects were selected to fit into one of 4 anthropometric groups (n=5/group); 5th percentile female (5F), 50th percentile female (50F), 50th percentile male (50M), or 95th percentile male (95M). Each subject was asked to perform 3 automotive assembly tasks while interacting with a digital rendering of a vehicle in virtual reality. The subjects were represented in virtual reality as a human manikin (Classic Jack, UGS) whose actions were driven by their actual motions captured via motion tracking (EvaRT, MotionAnalysis). Each subject performed the tasks under 4 different conditions; in one condition, the subject appeared as their true size, and in the three other conditions, they were scaled to appear as the size of the other three subject groups. (Abstract shortened by UMI.) Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-03, page: 1426. Thesis (M.H.K.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2005

Ergonomics

Statement of Relevance:Desirable handle features for torque generation may be different from those for grip only. Design of handles per advantageous handle features (e.g., shape, size, surface) may help increase people\u2019s torque strength and contribute to increased physical capacity of people.20112022-02-18T00:00:00ZT42 OH008455/OH/NIOSH CDC HHSUnited States/21973007PMC88565631099

An ultrasonic flowmeter for gases by Donald A. Bender, Leon R. Glicksman, Carl R. Peterson.

An ultrasonic flowmeter is developed for use in natural gas mains. The characteristics of the application and the dynamic head device presently employed are described. The performance requirements, design, and prototype testing of the ultrasonic instrument are discussed. The viability of a unique metering technique using reflected acoustic pulses was experimentally demonstrated. The flowmeter developed herein requires access to one side of the gas line and is self calibrating. It was concluded that continued development will produce a unit suitable for use in commercial service

Investigation of Robotic Assembly of an Electric Motor Utilizing Single Arm and Dual Arm Robot Configurations

An electric motor was assembled utilizing: (a) human labor only, (b) human labor combined with the assistance of a single robot arm, and (c) coordination between two robot arms. Assembly times were obtained for both human labor assembly of the motor and single-arm assembly of the motor; however, an unexpected equipment malfunction prevented the completion of the dual-arm assembly project. The data collected during the course of the study was analyzed to provide a basis for comparison between each method of assembly, as well as a comparison of each method with regard to its use in an actual manufacturing environment. Robotic applications in the manufacturing industry and the limitations of robotic equipment due to technological constraints were described. Hardware developments, which allow greater flexibility in robotics projects were illustrated, and their use in future projects is encouraged.Industrial Engineering and Managemen

Flexible magazine operation and cellular techniques in automation systems

There is a strong current trend in automation towards These often systems that can handle small to medium batch sizes are also often associated with In prototyping situations. Batch numbers High complexity the application described Is for British Airways Heathrow Airport where the number of variations pattern of their meal trays Is large. The batch size the assembly variations Is also extremely variable. Catering at in assembly of each of This thesis describes the justification and design of anautomatic system to assemble these trays whilst retaining the flexibility Inherent In the current manual assembly arrangement.The work examines system layouts. Considering each possibility particularly from the flexibility and potential reliabilityaspects. This leads to the consideration of Industrial robots because of their Inherent flexibility. Consequently the variousconfigurations of robots are examined to assess the suitability of each In a cell arrangement the system which was chosen forIts potential reliability. The work continues by developing the Ideas and techniques of parts feeding to realise the maximumbenefits from a robotic cell system." The thesis describes novel magazining arrangements for handling each of the Items which make. up the tray assembly. Two major developments are described. one for the handling of stackable Items and the other for handling small discrete parts from bulk. Both systems are flexible to accomodate variations In part dimensions and possess ability to be quickly re-configured - to handle completely different parts. The equipment designed and constructed for British Airwaysuses Ideas that could also find use In many similar applications where the components have the same characteristics

Skylab mission report, second visit

An evaluation is presented of the operational and engineering aspects of the second Skylab flight. Other areas described include: the performance of experimental hardware; the crew's evaluation of the flight; medical aspects; and hardware anomalies

Medical evaluations on the KC-135 1991 flight report summary

The medical investigations completed on the KC-135 during FY 1991 in support of the development of the Health Maintenance Facility and Medical Operations are presented. The experiments consisted of medical and engineering evaluations of medical hardware and procedures and were conducted by medical and engineering personnel. The hardware evaluated included prototypes of a crew medical restraint system and advanced life support pack, a shuttle orbiter medical system, an airway medical accessory kit, a supplementary extended duration orbiter medical kit, and a surgical overhead canopy. The evaluations will be used to design flight hardware and identify hardware-specific training requirements. The following procedures were evaluated: transport of an ill or injured crewmember at man-tended capability, surgical technique in microgravity, transfer of liquids in microgravity, advanced cardiac life support using man-tended capability Health Maintenance Facility hardware, medical transport using a model of the assured crew return vehicle, and evaluation of delivery mechanisms for aerosolized medications in microgravity. The results of these evaluation flights allow for a better understanding of the types of procedures that can be performed in a microgravity environment

An investigation into the theoretical and practical aspects of office mechanisation

The leaders of industry are so often leaders because of their distaste for regulation and orthodox methods. They are often reluctant to be restricted in their activities by static requirements of a mechanised system. It may, however, be observed that, with the rapid strides in the development of machinery itself, the makers are very willing to make favourable trade -out conditions in order that users may take advantage of the most recent improvements. It may well be that, owing to improvements, ten years might be regarded as the period of most useful life for the more expensive office machinery, by which time the initial cost should have been fully saved to the user.The Question of installing mechanical aid in the office is largely an economic one, and must be determined by the need of such aids, and in the return which they are likely to yield. Needs, on the one hand, are essentially relative, and cannot be assessed by simple standards. On the other hand, returns are difficult to translate into £.s.d. where speed, accuracy, security, and even prestige, may be involved. It will be the purpose of the pages which follow to endeavour to afford some guidance on these issues

Gemini Program Mission Report: Gemini IV

The second manned mission of the Gemini Program, Gemini IV, was launched from Complex 19 at Cape Kennedy, Florida, at 10:16 a.m. e.s.t. on June 3, 1965. The mission was successfully concluded on June 7, 1965, with the recovery of the spacecraft by the prime recovery ship, the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Wasp, at 27 deg 44' N. latitude, 74 deg 11' W. longitude at 2:28 p.m. e.s.t. This manned long-duration flight was accomplished 10 weeks after the three-orbit manned flight which qualified the Gemini spacecraft and systems for orbital flight. The spacecraft was manned by Astronaut James A. McDivitt, command pilot, and Astronaut Edward H. White II, pilot. The flight crew completed the 4-day mission in excellent physical condition, and demonstrated full control of the spacecraft and competent management of all aspects of the mission