Zojiro Katoh

A Study on Approach Speeds of the Hands under Metal Press Machine Operation

The study described herein entailed measuring approach speed of the hands under simulated press machining conditions using two types of safety devices. A total of eight subjects were used in the experiment: four males in their twenties and four males in their fifties. Hand speed was faster for the photoelectric safety device (PSDI) than for safety devices activated using both hands (TWO) for both subject groups, in excess of 1.6 m/sec. The study showed that safety devices capable of automatic detection such as PSDI safety device more effectively ensure safety and work efficiency than the TWO type.

Psychophysiological Differences in a Pilot When Controlling and Not Controlling a Commercial Jet Airliner

We investigated a coefficient of variations in R-R intervals (CVRR) and the distribution of instantaneous heart rate of an airline pilot during flight when he was at the controls (PC) and not at the controls (PNC). The flight was divided into eight segments for analysis. The values of CVRR in six among eight segments were lower under the PNC than the PC condition. The heart rate distribution was higher under the PC than the PNC condition during takeoff. In contrast, it was higher under the PNC condition during the heading-change, descent and landing segments. These results indicate that when a pilot is not at the controls he needs a wider situational attentiveness in order to play such roles as the co-pilots backup operator, than when he is at the controls.