MADE Meeting Minutes
February 21, 1997 February 25, 1997
Hewlett-Packard Omni Rosen Hotel
Palo Alto, CA Orlando, FL
Attendance:
Palo Alto Orlando
Phil Abel - Amdahl John Bridges - Dell
John Cornell - Sun Scott Cordes - Tenneco Pkg
Dave Huntley - Lansmont Greg Hoshal - IST
Kevin Main - Sony Kevin Howard - HP
Jorge Marcondes - SJSU Keith Jackson - Tenneco Pkg
Paul Russell - HP Bill Kipp - Lansmont
Rob Salinas - Ventritex Robert Lancaster - Thomas Elec.
Brian Tudor - Applied Mat David Leinberger - Tektronix
Paul Zakian - Sage Tech. Paul Russell - HP
Jim Southwell - Tenneco Pkg
Bud Sweitzer - Tenneco Pkg
Summary of both meetings
1.0 Introductions.
Everyone introduced themselves and explained what they were expecting
out of this project. There were several new people who had heard
about the MADE project by word of mouth or the web site.
2.0 Highlevel Overview of MADE Activities
Paul briefly discussed what activities have been taking place in each
committee.
- Alpha phase will most likely take place in April and will only involve 2
companies, making 5 shipments through each carrier hub. Alpha will be
used only as a process check.
- Beta phase will take place after the results of alpha are known. Beta
will be a larger study. Currently, it is unclear how many field data
recorders will be available for this study.
3.0 Committee Report
3.1 Project Admin. - Paul Russell
Paul presented a chart that showed who the members are of each committee
and what their area of responsibilities are.
3.1.1 Routes
Paul provided an overview of the logistical issues that have come up. Mark
James has been conducting a majority of the investigation and communication
with the carriers. Both carriers are willing to re-route MADE shipments
through their respective hubs at no charge. It addition, each carrier will
provide shipping labels for the study. Federal Express voiced a concern
that the UPS units should pass through their main hub in Kentucky, not the
hub in Chicago. This needs to be investigated further.
3.1.2 Software
Each field data recorder uses its own software engine to analyze collected
data. This will create a problem in the future when all our data files are
publicly available. Users will need a copy of each software to review the
data. Paul asked both field data recorder manufacturers if they have a
shareware version of their software. They both indicated they did and would
provide a copy of each to Paul. Paul also asked if he could investigate
combining them into a single software engine that could read and manipulate
either data file. Once again both manufactures agreed and felt that this
should also be shareware.
3.1.3 Justification
Paul also asked if the Generic Justification, published in November, has
been useful. A few indicated that it had helped explain the project to
their management.
3.2 Test Plan - John Bridges
John has developed version 3.0 of the Test Plan. This received great
attention at both meetings and will not be featured in these minutes. Paul
will develop Version 4.0 and post on the MADE web site and mail hard copies
in the third week of March.
3.3 Equipment - Matt Daum
Matt Daum was not present at either meeting but Paul Russell gave a summary
of activities to date. Matt Daum, Paul Russell, John Cornell, and Jorge
Marcondes conducted 2 lab free-fall drop studies of both IST and Lansmont
field data recorders. The result of the investigation has been shared
with both manufacturers to verify the proper protocol was used. In addition
to the free-fall drop, Matt Daum conducted a toss simulation. This
simulation caused the recorders to pre-trigger and inaccurate data was
captured. After further discussion with both recorder manufacturers, Matt
plan to re-conduct the toss test in March. Each recorder manufacturer is
to provide Matt with equipment for the test. Once completed, Matt will
publish his results to the entire MADE membership.
Matt is in the process of developing the specs. for the "dummy" woodblock
product. The gross weight of the packaged test unit will be 25 lbs. Herb
Schueneman will build the "dummy" woodblock products for both Alpha and
Beta phases of the project.
3.4 Statistical
No report was given.
Due to other commitments, Mike William has stepped down as the
Committee's Chair. He has been replaced by Richard Sheehan from 3M.
Richard plans to work closely with Analysis Committee Chair, Jorge
Marcondes.
3.5 Analysis - Jorge Marcondes
3.5.1 Raw data
Jorge has been working with the field data recorder manufacturers to obtain
the proper protocols for saving unprocessed data. It is critical that the
data files are in the raw state to allow for proper analysis. Jorge will
provide the instructions for saving only raw data to the test plan chair.
3.5.2 Wave Form Analysis
In order to identify what type of event occurred the field data
recorder's wave form needs to be characterized. Tina Wong of Westpak will
be investigating and identifying wave form characteristics from field data
recorders. This will become part of the analysis committee's document.
3.5.3 NSF/EPA Grant
Jorge reported that he has completed and submitted an NSF/EPA grant
proposal to help carry on the MADE effort after the Beta test.
Next Meeting
To be determined after Alpha phase has been conducted.