김재룡  설인환

Vol. 63,  No. 1, pp. 39-50, Feb.  2026
10.12772/TSE.2026.63.039

human manikin 3D Printing Arduino heat exchange Low-cost

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Thermal comfort is a crucial factor in human well-being, and clothing serves as the primary medium regulating heat exchange between the body and its surrounding environment. Traditional evaluations of clothing insulation, often expressed in Clo units, rely on thermal manikins. However, commercial thermal manikins are prohibitively expensive, limiting their accessibility for widespread research and industrial applications. This study proposes the development of a low-cost human manikin by utilizing Arduino-based control systems, 3D printing (PLA filament), ceramic heaters, fans for forced convection, and temperature–humidity sensors. The manikin shell was fabricated using FDM 3D printing technology, reflecting average human body dimensions, and the internal heating module was controlled through PID algorithms to ensure stable temperature regulation. Experimental evaluations focused on (i) temperature differences across the manikin shell to analyze thermal resistance, (ii) the impact of external environmental factors such as ambient temperature and airflow, and (iii) the relationship between power consumption and heat loss. Results indicated that the prototype manikin effectively measured thermal insulation and produced outcomes comparable to values reported in previous literature for major body regions (torso, arms, legs, and face). Some discrepancies were observed at extremities (hands and feet), where PLA’s relatively low thermal conductivity resulted in slower heat transfer compared to metal- or liquid-based manikins. Nevertheless, the system demonstrated stable performance, low energy consumption per test, and sufficient accuracy for basic clothing thermal insulation assessments. The findings confirm the feasibility of an economical and practical alternative to commercial thermal manikins, with potential applications in clothing performance evaluation, heat exchange studies, sports science, military equipment development, and educational settings.