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Webinar: Use Acoustic Test and Simulation to Improve Sound Characteristics and Design Cycles
LMS and Appliance Design magazine are sponsoring a Webinar that will explore ways to improve product sound characteristics and shorten design cycles.
In today's competitive appliance market space, every aspect of a product can be a differentiator. For years, the trend has been to design quieter appliances to meet noise regulations and satisfy customer demands. To do this, engineers use both acoustic testing and simulation to quantify and predict a product's sounds, but for many, acoustics is still more art than science.
The educational webinar will clear up the mystery behind acoustic testing and simulation and help answer questions such as:
-- When I make 'quieter' products why do some people say they sound worse than the previous generation 'noisier' products? -- What is the difference between sound power, sound pressure, and sound quality? -- When I do have noise issues what techniques can be employed to identify them quickly and accurately? -- How can I predict the sound of my product, both sound power and by creating actual audio sounds for replay, before making a physical prototype?
-- Is there an easy way to swap components in a product and see what impact it has on the sound without a physical prototype?
Expert speakers include, Noah Shirk, Acoustic Test Application Specialist, and Ian McGann, Acoustic Simulation Application Specialist, who will answer these questions. To register, click here ...
On Feb. 5, President Obama ordered his Department of Energy to accelerate the development of efficiency standards for a wide variety of residential and commercial appliances, noting that the department had already missed numerous deadlines for doing so. The presidential memo ordered DOE to set five efficiency rules by August that would include residential dishwashers, ranges, ovens, and microwave ovens; and commercial air conditioning equipment, boilers and beverage vending machines.
This pocket-size folder contains a variety of electrical insulating sleeving samples all of which are available in a wide range of sizes, colors and grades. Included are sleevings that are UL and CSA certified, RoHS and REACH compliant, and meets military specifications. Varflex also offers special coatings; heavy, double and triple wall, constructions; special braiding; and custom overbraiding. Samples are available by contacting sales@varflex.com.
LG Electronics has introduced a new product line and established its first U.S. training facility, which the company says signals continued growth in commercial air conditioning marketplace. LG Electronics launched the LG "Multi-V" AC system and advanced energy-saving technologies in the United States correspond with the increase in demand for global energy efficiency.
The Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), a nonprofit, public benefits corporation that promotes the manufacture and purchase of energy-efficient products and services, has formed the Coalition For ENERGY STAR® Water Heaters, a special project of CEE comprised of industry associations, utility providers, and leading water heater manufacturers. Through consistent messaging by industry stakeholders-including manufacturers, utilities, retailers, environmental groups, and government agencies-CEE and the Coalition For ENERGY STAR Water Heaters aim to encourage the support of increased development and use of ENERGY STAR residential water heaters by the industry's supply chain and
consumers. On January 1, 2009, water heaters that qualify for the ENERGY STAR label were introduced to the market.
LCR Electronics now offers the new 095 Series EMI filters that reduce component cost, while providing better safety characteristics in large white-good appliances, such as dishwashers and top- or front-load washing machines. The filters use highly cost-effective metalized film technology that delivers high reliability and fail-safe characteristics.
South Korea-based Samsung Electronics is consolidating its business operations into two divisions. The new units are a Device Solution division, which combines the semiconductor and LCD businesses, and the Digital Media and Communications division, which brings together under one umbrella TVs, mobile phones, and other consumer electronics such as printers, computers and home appliances. Samsung Electronics CEO Lee Yoon-woo, who retains his position, will overseeing the Device Solution division. Choi Gee-sung will head the Digital Media and Communications division.
Sharp and Sony have decided to delay the targeted start of a joint-venture LCD production and sales venture. The recession has forced them to rethink the targeted start date of the new venture, now tentatively scheduled for March 2010, according to news reports. The companies will continue to talk under a memorandum of understanding signed in February 2008. While a tentative start date is in place, the companies plan to continue discussions on the venture and hope to reach a definitive agreement by the end of June 2009.
Thermal Engineering Report: Dissipating Heat in Electronics
Based on hundreds of on-site visits and interviews, this report delves into the common mistakes companies designing consumer and commercial electronics have made and offers recommendations to help your company unlock the power CAE.
Appliances today must meet global compliance requirements for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), and meeting regulatory compliance is complicated by the ever increasing use and density of electronic components. Within a larger appliance are various circuit components and modules that are generators of electromagnetic interference (EMI), and those that are highly susceptible to EMI noise. Each circuit portion must be individually filtered to suppress EMI, or the appliance product as a whole could fail EMC compliance. (See Fig. 1.)
Today's portable electronics such as MP3 players, cell phones, and President Obama's beloved PDA, feature dazzling displays and innumerable features. In addition to sharing these traits, most share another trait, they are getting smaller.
As the capabilities grow, however, space constraints come into play. Room for the electronic components gets more difficult to find and that includes the electrical connection between components such as a liquid crystal display to a printed circuit board, PCB to PCB, chip-to-board, memory cards, flex circuit-to-board, and other interconnects. This particular challenge is being overcome in some applications with elastomeric connectors, small pieces of elastomer that are electrically conductive.
Want to learn more?
At first glance, touch-based interfaces would seem ideal for a variety of residential and commercial appliances. The ability to reconfigure appliance controls in software, combined with the potential for improved mechanical and environmental resilience seems very promising.
Unfortunately, existing touch technologies have often fallen short. All of the common touch technologies in use today have significant weaknesses in durability, manufacturability, or cost. These weaknesses make the integration of touch technology much more challenging for the product designer.
Read more...
Latches, hinges, and slides all have a utilitarian function in common: they secure two parts together, often when one component moves and the other is stationary. They latch, lock, open and close, slide, tilt, rotate, lock in place, close automatically, close softly, and do many other actions. And, while doing that, they must work smoothly and reliably for upwards of hundreds of thousands of cycles.
Beyond this mechanical utility, joining hardware also can play a roll in how consumers view an appliance. Good hardware can change the perceived value of an item in two ways: by enhancing functionality or aesthetics.
See more... See more of the February issue, including a look at:
The Pressurex Zero tactile pressure-indicating sensor films characterize tactile contact surface pressure down to an extremely low 7.2 PSI (0.5 kg/cm2). It is an easy-to-use flexible film that is placed between contacting or mating surfaces to map and measure pressure magnitude and distribution. Variations in contact surface pressure are immediately visible by the impression made on the film.
Learn more ...
The new 088 Series of double-stage, low-profile EMI filters integrates a high attenuation EMI filter and IEC power entry socket with an illuminated power switch and either a fuse or a re-settable circuit breaker into one compact package. This reduces the number of components that need to be incorporated into a system. Find out more ...
The EX series of electronic expansion valves and controls are designed for commercial air conditioning and refrigeration applications. The series of stepper motor driven valves feature the fastest response time in the industry. Complementing the EX series are the EC series network-enabled electronic superheat controllers and drivers. Want to learn more?
A low viscosity grade of Fortron® PPS is a low halogen material that gives designers and manufacturers a "drop-in" option for use in eco-friendly electrical and electronic components, the company says. The next generation Fortron PPS 1140LC6 is similar to our newly launched low chlorine Fortron PPS 1140A66, but offers a lower viscosity, making it a suitable 'drop-in' exchange for use in existing molds, even in small parts.
Read more ...
The new Gapex® HP compounds are made from high performance, chemically coupled fiberglass-reinforced polypropylene that provide 15 to 30 percent higher tensile strength and rigidity than Ferro's standard Gapex compounds. These attributes allow the use of lower glass loadings without sacrificing performance when compared to traditional Gapex products. Learn more ...
Elo TouchSystems new Resistive Gestures technology provides a richer user experience via intuitive gestures which until now had been possible only with higher-end, costlier technologies such as projected capacitive. Consisting only of an enhanced controller and firmware set, the technology can be integrated into analog resistive touchscreen systems.
The 736 Heat Resistant Sealant is a one-part, non-slump silicone sealant formulated for applications with continuous exposure to temperatures up to 260 DegC and intermittent exposure to 315 DegC. Ideal for encapsulating heating elements in appliances.
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