Author: Martin Dinsmore

Thermetrics Rents Manikins!

Thermetrics’ advanced Newton 26-zone sweating thermal manikin, STAN seat test manikin, and the HVAC Automotive manikin are available for rent/hire. These complete turn-key systems include manikin, laptop PC, ThermDAC control software, startup and training at the client facility, as well as ongoing technical support.



Thermetrics has prepared these rental systems because there are times when a manikin rental makes more sense than a purchase. For example, rental systems are perfect for short-term research projects of 1-4 months in duration. Rentals can also be an inexpensive way to evaluate the capabilities of a manikin and build a strong business rationale for future capital spending. And if your testing needs are immediate, rentals can be timed to help start or keep research projects moving forward while your new Thermetrics manikin system is being built.



A rental can make sense financially too: Thermetrics applies 20% of your rental fee as a credit towards the purchase of a new Thermetrics manikin or hotplate system – up to 50% of the total cost.



Thermetrics makes it easy. Our team will coordinate the roundtrip shipment (domestic or international), then our engineers will arrive to handle uncrating the equipment, verify that all functions are working properly, and train operators on proper test methodology, software controls, and data analysis. Even after the startup/training session our engineers remain on-call for any questions or issues that might arise.



Call or email Thermetrics today to get more information about our rental program and manikin availability. We look forward to being of service!

Total Fire Group

Case study

When your mission is to make the best fire-fighting protective gear on earth, you need to pay attention to some serious details – fabric heat protection, moisture transmission, flexibility, durability, and weight are just some of the safety variables that must be thoroughly tested before a fire-fighting garment is certified for use by any of our nation’s firefighters.



“A firefighter has got to stay alert and focused in order to safely fight a fire,” said Dave Edwards, Head Laboratory Tech for the Total Fire Group’s Quality Department. “Getting overheated – either from external heat penetrating the fabric or from internal body heat and moisture that cannot escape it – is one of the biggest challenges that firefighters face.”



Success in the no-compromise world of fire protective garments hinges on the precision testing and certification of hundreds upon hundreds of composite fabrics, each consisting of an outer shell, a thermal barrier, and a permeable moisture barrier. Until recently Total Fire Group used an independent outside lab to conduct these fabric tests, but the cost and slow turnaround times often left them scrambling to keep up with the latest fabric innovations. To lower costs, improve responsiveness, and gain a competitive edge, they turned to Measurement Technology NW.



Dave Edwards is quick to confirm. “We visited Measurement Technology NW to see firsthand the capabilities of their Sweating Guarded Hotplate System, and found it was just what we were looking for. With this one instrument we can test for insulation values, moisture transmission values, and have ready-to-certify results in a day or two – when it used to take a month or two using an outside lab! We estimate our sweating hotplate paid for itself in about six months, and the testing time we save has given us a real leg up in the race to bring new fabric technologies to the marketplace.”



Measurement Technology NW’s Sweating Guarded Hotplate (often referred to as the “skin model”) produces accurate, repeatable measurements of the thermal resistance and vapor permeability of textiles in accordance with ISO 11092 and ASTM F1868, measuring both Rct (thermal) and Ret (vapor) characteristics. Thermal products from Measurement Technology NW also include exclusive ThermDAC automated control software. ThermDAC is a user-friendly, Windows-based application providing full thermal control, fault detection, and data logging capabilities.



“I think the darned thing is one elegant piece of equipment,” added Dave. “The range of tests we can conduct with it is absolutely amazing. It’s so precise, so repeatable, and so easy to use I can’t imagine trying to do my job without it. Any company whose products address human comfort should consider using a tool like this in their testing process.”

Measurement Technology NW manufactures a wide range of precision instruments for measuring and evaluating the thermal comfort of textiles, garments, and environments such as aircraft, truck, and automobile interiors. Our systems support all major ASTM, ISO, and ENV textile testing standards. To learn more, contact us at 206-634-1308, or send an email inquiry to thermal@mtnw-usa.com.

Custom 32-zone Newton

Case Study

Project Profile

The University Centre for Energy Efficient Buildings (UCEEB) is an independent institute of the Czech Technical University in Prague. UCEEB’s goal is to research and design buildings which are green, smart, reasonably-priced, and with a healthy interior climate. 



As stated by the institute’s founder, Professor Zdeněk Bittnar, “Buildings represent an area with significant potential for energy savings and reduction of human impact on the environment, but it is also estimated that people spend up to 90% of their lives inside buildings – which means our health can be greatly influenced by the quality of the interior climate.” 



Thermetrics LLC (formerly Measurement Technology NW) won the UCEEB contract to build a custom 32-zone Newton thermal manikin with humidified external breathing capability, and UCEEB plans to use Newton as a human simulator for measuring and evaluating the performance of heating and air conditioning systems used in buildings. 



The UCEEB 32-zone Newton includes a temperature controlled and humidified breathing system that consists of two pneumatic cylinders which are cycled in and out by a servo linear actuator to replicate the cycle, frequency, and volume of human breathing. The breathing system connects to the manikin with hoses for inhaling and exhaling. Inside the manikin a special manifold behind the face allows for breathing through the nose or mouth in any combination. 



What makes a Newton thermal manikin ideal for environmental comfort research? 



Most climate control systems try to meet the thermal comfort requirements of human occupants by conditioning large air volumes and bringing interior thermal masses to a desired temperature setpoint. This process is effective, but not efficient. Localized heating and cooling can be delivered to occupants at significantly lower energy cost. Toward this end Newton is expected to be a valuable tool that will quantify subtle changes in heat gain/loss conditions and predict which climate control variables maximize the thermal comfort and overall health of building occupants. 



Evaluating human comfort is a complex endeavor. Variables include local air temperature distribution, surrounding surface temperatures and geometry, local air velocities, relative humidity, clothing layers and their insulation value, metabolic rate, perspiration rate, as well as solar intensity and its direction. All these factors contribute to our perception of thermal comfort, and at UCEEB their Newton thermal manikin is expected to provide the data necessary to drive future innovations leading to healthier, more comfortable, and more energy efficient buildings. 



Newton thermal manikin from Thermetrics

Thermetrics, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Measurement Technology NW, dedicated to the design and manufacture of a wide range of precision instruments to measure and evaluate the thermal comfort of textiles, garments, and protective apparel. Our innovative Thermal and Automotive Manikins, Dry and Sweating Guarded Hotplates, and Radiant/Flame Test systems support all current industry test standards for thermal insulation, moisture permeability, and burn injury prediction. For more information please contact us.

What can you test on a Newton?

Here at Thermetrics there is one question we get asked all the time…



What can you test on a Newton?



Let’s begin with jackets, shirts, pants, and vests,

Underwear, outerwear, sleeping bag tests.

Athletic gear, uniforms, three-piece suits,

Firefighting bunker gear – helmet to boots.

Clothes for hunting, fishing, and boating,

Clothes for when you’re carbo loading.

Clothes to run in, bike in, walk in, ski in,

Comfortable clothing you just want to be in.

Clothes for football, baseball, hockey, et al,

Clothes to relax in and do nothing at all.

 Clothes that heat, or cool, or breathe, or protect,

Passive, or active, or smart, or E-tex’s,

Military, medical, safety, and sport,

Clothing makes sure no performance falls short.



If a human can wear it, Newton can measure and predict its thermal comfort!



And don’t even get us started on how Newton can also evaluate the environment conditions in buildings and vehicles! Are you intrigued with the possibilities? Would you like to learn more about the advanced capabilities of Thermetrics “Newton” Thermal Manikin System and find out how this technology can be applied to your products? Please call us at 206-456-9119 or send an email to thermal@thermetrics.com, and let the conversation begin!

Thermetrics new DRT201 Drying Rate Tester Introduced at the AATCC International Conference

It was a small thing, just one comment from among many heard at the AATCC International Conference, but it captured the essence of our mission here at Thermetrics.



Thermetrics was exhibiting at the AATCC conference in Wilmington, North Carolina, and on display was a new drying rate test device we call the DRT201 (referring to the AATCC 201 test standard). The general consensus was that our new instrument was a marked improvement over systems currently on the market. This feeling was summed up beautifully by an attendee who said the other manufacturer just seemed to have looked at the standards and “followed the recipe” when creating their device, while Thermetrics approached instrument design with a real understanding of what the standards were asking for AND what more could be achieved within them.



And that is what Thermetrics is all about.  We live and breathe and work side-by-side with researchers and test laboratories who specialize in thermal comfort/thermal protection applications.  We do what you do.  So whether it’s a standard product offering such as a sweating hotplate or thermal manikin system, or the development of a new product like the DRT201, or a custom project that harnesses the application of thermal testing technology in new and exciting ways, the Thermetrics team approaches each opportunity with a depth of experience and understanding that’s unmatched in the industry.  



We get it, and our customers reap the benefits.

Thermetrics in-house calibration laboratory and our field calibration services are A2LA accredited to ISO/IEC 17025

What does it mean?

As regular readers may know, on October 11, 2016 Thermetrics in-house calibration laboratory as well as our field calibration services became A2LA accredited to ISO/IEC 17025.



What is ISO/IEC 17025?



It is the single most important standard for calibration and testing laboratories around the world. Laboratories that are accredited to this international standard have demonstrated that they are technically competent and able to produce precise and accurate test and/or calibration data. The standard’s technical requirements include factors which determine the correctness and reliability of any tests and calibrations performed in the laboratory.



In order to be deemed technically competent most labs must hold an accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 – including test laboratories, such as the Thermetrics calibration lab, where equipment testing and calibration is part of our product inspection/certification process. In common with other ISO quality standards, ISO/IEC 17025 requires continual improvement. Regular internal audits (one of which is underway now) help Thermetrics identify opportunities to make the test/calibration process even better than it was.



Now you know what ISO/IEC 17025 is, and now you can be even more confident that the instruments and services provided by Thermetrics will deliver the highest level of quality, accuracy, and value to your laboratory.

Thermetrics ISO IEC 17025 Accreditation

Thermetrics is driven by the twin goals of continuous quality improvement and exceeding the expectations of our customers.



As evidence of this ongoing commitment to excellence, Thermetrics is pleased to announce that our in-house test laboratory and field calibration services are now A2LA accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. 



With this new accreditation you can be even more confident that the instruments and services provided by Thermetrics will deliver a high level of quality, accuracy, and value to your laboratory.



Thermetrics Dynamic Hotplate System Generates Instantaneous Surface Heat-flux Measurements

A traditional sweating guarded hotplate, also known as a “skin model”, is designed to produce accurate, repeatable measurements of the thermal resistance (Rct) and vapor permeability (Ret) of textiles when tested under steady-state conditions.



Traditional hotplates run into problems when used to test the performance of textiles in conditions that are NOT steady-state.



Thermetrics new Dynamic Hotplate System (DHS) is an exciting evolution in hotplate technology that – in addition to steady-state testing – allows for measurement of Rct and Ret in situations of positive or negative heat flux, and with far greater accuracy in dynamic environments.



The innovative sensor technology used in our Dynamic Hotplate System generates instantaneous surface heat-flux measurements, and as a result the new DHS hotplate is capable of measuring heat loss and heat gain (in Watts/m²), which is necessary for tests of heated fabrics and pads or for textile testing under sustained solar loads and elevated ambient temperatures (up to 50°C)!



The new DHS system can also be used to calculate the mass of a Phase Change Material (PCM) contained in a textile, and it is sensitive enough to identify the melt point and change in thermal conductivity for the solid and liquid phases of PCM textiles. In addition, when PCM’s are used in a composite fabric the DHS can detect where PCM layers will have the greatest impact on cooling and warming, and the DHS system can also measure both the magnitude and duration of a PCM’s “cool to touch” or “warm to touch” sensory effect.



Thermetrics Dynamic Hotplate System features an integrated sweating system with precision microprocessor pump technology.  Sweat is preheated within the plate and delivered to the surface through a uniform array of small pores.  When combined with our integrated chamber option, the DHS hotplate utilizes the chamber’s water supply, thus eliminating the need for a separate fluid reservoir.



The new DHS hotplate is an excellent physiological simulator and can be constructed with a smaller test zone for customers who may have problems generating prototype swatches in the size used by traditional hotplates.



The DHS-8.2 provides accurate, fully automated testing that is in compliance with ASTM F1868. Due to how the DHS plate is constructed, the system is not compliant with ISO 11092 or ISO 13029. However, selecting the Thermetrics integrated chamber option makes it possible for the system to be equipped with interchangeable “dynamic” DHS-8.2 and “traditional” SGHP-8.2 test plates, thus providing full compliance with ISO 11092, ISO 13029, and ASTM F1868.

Measurement Technology Northwest forms Thermetrics, LLC

Measurement Technology Northwest (MTNW) began 29 years ago as a couple of engineers in a garage, but thanks to a combination of hard work, opportunity, innovative solutions, and great customers MTNW evolved into two divisions – the Thermal Products Group and the Line Control Group – each with specific product and market focuses.  



In recent years company growth has accelerated rapidly, and with success came the need to formally establish each division as a separate entity.  Therefore on April 15, 2015, Measurement Technology NW’s Thermal Products Group officially becomes Thermetrics, LLC: a wholly-owned subsidiary comprised of the assets and personnel of the Thermal Products Group.  



The name may be new but Thermetrics will continue to share MTNW infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing resources.  Rest assured that as Thermetrics our thermal testing equipment and core values will remain unchanged, with the same commitment to excellence and the same desire to exceed your expectations, 100% of the time. 



Thermetrics, your source for advanced thermal measurement technology.

Our 25th Anniversary!

Measurement Technology NW, founded October 15, 1986, designs and manufactures precision biophysical instruments for evaluating the thermal comfort of textiles, garments, protective apparel, seats, beds, and dynamic thermal environments such as aircraft, truck, and automobile interiors. Our company’s growth into the thermal comfort testing industry began in 1988, with delivery of a Thermal Hand manikin system to USARIEM (United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine) which was used to test gloves and protective handwear for soldiers. This project not only helped USARIEM advance the science of soldier protection, it also launched Measurement Technology NW into the thermal comfort test equipment business. 



Expertise gained through the development of the Thermal Hand manikin allowed MTNW to win research contracts for other thermal comfort testing equipment and, as they say, the rest is history:



  • 1988 – Thermal Hand Manikin
  • 1994 – Guarded Hotplate System
  • 1996 – “Bo” Heat Pipe Thermal Manikin
  • 1999 – “Newton” Articulated Thermal Manikin
  • 2001 – “ADAM” 120-zone Sweating Thermal Manikin
  • 2005 – “NEMO” Submersible Thermal Manikin
  • 2006 – “HVAC” Automotive Manikin System
  • 2011 – Flame Test Manikin System
  • Next – IPEMS Robotic Thermal Manikin 

Since 1986 Measurement Technology NW has installed over 250 manikin and hotplate systems, making us the industry’s most experienced source for advanced thermal testing equipment – now and for the next 25 years to come!