Improving Ship Comfort

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high density engineered thermoplastics, high density polymers, high-density plastics, thermoplastic composite materials, vibration dampening

Consorzio Servizi Navali Industriali (CSNI Scarl) and Marinoni, European companies that specialize in flooring and fire prevention systems, are working on solutions to improve ship comfort. Their projects focus on reducing the noise that passes through deck structure into the cabins below and developing a new housing solution that reduces the height between decks.

The engineers looked at the ship’s structure with regard to reducing vibrations. There were hundreds of supports in the ship’s structure. Inserting an acoustical vibration dampening system at the base of the supports would dampen the vibrations and cut their flow.

The engineers will also identify and develop improvements for future ships. Such improvements will reduce structure weight, overall installation volume, and reduce construction and refitting time costs. This part focuses mostly on the hotel part of the ship.

The companies’ objective are to industrialize the system and pinpoint a configuration that can attain the highest dampening of the widest spectrum of vibro-acoustic frequencies, all while maintaining shipbuilding requirements.

CSNI Scarl and Marinoni presented their work at the March 19, 2018 Italian Association for the Council of European Municipalities and Regions

Ecomass Technologies

Ecomass Technologies is the pioneer and technological groundbreaker in high density plastics, high density polymers, thermoplastic composite materials, and high density engineered thermoplastics. Its sales and engineering teams have helped commercial and government customers conquer physical property challenges by developing over 100 high gravity thermoplastic composite materials engineered for weighting, balancing, radiation shielding, and vibration dampening applications.

All materials have natural or resonance frequency. Energy waves, which have both frequency and amplitude, cause vibrations. When technicians and engineers can’t isolate and reduce energy at the source, they utilize dampening materials to reduces, restrict, or prevent oscillations and, thus, reduce energy.

Aircraft audio systems, sports and luxury automobiles industrialists, are just of the few who have successfully used Ecomass’s vibration dampening compounds to achieve their developmental goals.

All Ecomass Compounds meet the EU RoHS Directive, are 100% lead free, do not contain any U.S. EPA toxic or hazardous materials, and comply with Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Contact Ecomass today or see its website and complete one if its RFQ Forms to find out how you and/or your company might be able to use its compounds for vibration dampening or apply them to any other valuable use.

 

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Boeing to Use Parts Made From Thermoplastic Composite Materials

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advanced composite materials, composite materials, high density plastic, Lead poisoning, Lead substitute, radiation protection, radiation shielding, thermoplastic composite materials, thermoplastic composites, Vibration Damping, X-ray shielding

Boeing recently awarded a multiyear contract to LMI Aerospace for thermoplastic composite parts for its 747, 767 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

thermoplastic composite materials save costs when compared to other metals and, thus, are being used more and more in the aerospace industry. End finishing work on parts fashioned from other materials considerably increases per-part cost. So, cost effectiveness is most particularly noted with smaller parts.

Thermoplastic composite parts additionally offer the same composite strength and weight advantages as metal. LMI further saves costs by producing parts in batches.

Ecomass Technologies

Since 1998, Ecomass Technologies has delivered groundbreaking solutions through advanced thermoplastic composite materials, high density polymers, high density plastics, and tungsten polymers, which can be used in various applications, including weighting, balancing, radiation shielding and vibration damping.

Ecomass works with both government and commercial clients to solve issues, develop solutions, and meet application needs. Its skills, and experience in the formulation and development of high-density thermoplastic compounds offers its customers the freedom to design and focus on form and function, while it solves the challenges their products face. It empowers its customers to design and produce the best parts possible by providing them with the highest-performance and lowest-cost high density materials and high density plastics so that they can succeed and prosper in their markets.

The perfect high gravity compound, expertly engineered to your part or application requirements at the optimal price point, is only a few clicks or a phone call away. Contact Ecomass today to learn how it can deliver a material solution perfectly tailored to your needs. Or, check out its Case Studies and Products pages to learn more about how its materials have been utilized to add value to its customers’ products.

All Ecomass Compounds meet the EU RoHS Directive, are 100% lead free, do not contain any U.S. EPA toxic or hazardous materials, and comply with Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

The “Ice Effect”

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gamma ray shielding, high density polymers, high-density plastics, thermoplastic composite materials, vibration dampening material

In February 2018, Engineering.com reported that an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, a low friction plastics, mimics ice’s characteristics, or produces an “ice effect,” when lubricated.

Such polymers have already been used on the bottoms layers of racing skis, but not on the top of a track. Researchers at Harvard recently revealed the polymer’s “ice effect” value for Olympic sports such as bobsledding for countries that don’t experience cold conditions or snow. Now, such countries can closely duplicate the friction ice creates on the bottom of a bobsled, luge, skeleton, etc. And, there’s no risk of damage as the spray is self-healing. Early testing on plastic tracks showed the same speeds as on ice tracks.

Providing other countries the opportunity enjoy sledding sports others and letting more people compete in sledding competitions is, of course, one huge advantage. Other advantages include reducing environmental impact and cost savings. Low friction sled costs equal are around $4-$5, while standard sledding costs exceed over $90 million.

Researchers hope to utilize the “ice effect” to the 2020 Youth Olympic Games in Switzerland.

Ecomass Technologies

Since 1998, Ecomass Technologies has offered cutting-edge solutions through advanced composite materials, engineered thermoplastic composite materials, high density plastics, high density polymers, and gamma ray shielding. Its skill and expertise allows customer to focus on form and function while it resolves the products’ material challenges. It strives to provide customers with the highest performing, lowest priced materials so that they can effectively compete in their markets.

Ecomass’ high gravity compounds are engineered to replace traditional materials and have been used as a substitute for lead, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, copper, and other metals in the following applications:

o To replace lead projectiles with nontoxic frangible projectiles as training ammunition for military and law enforcement personnel.

o To shield -ray and gamma ray sources in medical and industrial devices.

o As a Vibration damping material in the automotive and sporting goods industries.

o To balance weights and reduce the loads to which a part is exposed, thereby increasing its service life.

These are really just a few examples of what Ecomass industries’ compounds can do. It can let people who in areas that never see snow actually enjoy bobsledding.

All Ecomass Compounds meet the EU RoHS Directive, are 100% lead free, do not contain any U.S. EPA toxic or hazardous materials, and comply with Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

See Ecomass’ website to learn more about its compounds, products, and services and/or fill out its RFQ form to learn how it can develop and deliver a solution to satisfy your needs.

The Quatro Baseball Bat

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high density engineered thermoplastics, high density polymers, High gravity compounds, high-density plastics, thermoplastic composite materials, vibration dampening, vibration dampening materials

Last summer, Rawlings launched the Quatro, a new BBCOR baseball bat. A BBCOR bat, or “Batted Ball Coefficient of Restitution,” refers to a regulated standard regarding how much energy is lost during a baseball bat’s contact with the baseball. The higher the number, the higher the bat’s trampoline, or bouncing back, effect. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), set 0.50 as the maximum BBCOR value (slightly higher that wood’s trampoline effect).?

The Quatro is an aluminum bat with an inner barrel that’s a blend of carbon fiber and resin. The blend provides a flexible outer shell and a stiff inner barrel. The outer barrel acts as a highly flexible trampoline. A hinge system connects the barrel to the handle, which functions as a vibration dampening collar. The connecting joint, which attaches to the urethane, both ensures that the outer shell never touches the handle and connects to the urethane that dampens vibrations coming off the barrel for enhanced player sensation.

The Quatro demonstrated quick study and anticipated roughly twenty-five percent of Rawlings’ BBCOR bat sales

Ecomass Technologies

Ecomass Technologies focuses in the creation and production of high density engineered thermoplastics, thermoplastic composite materials, high density plastics, high gravity compounds, and high density polymers. It delivers material solutions to OEMs and material processors worldwide. Its sales representatives and engineers have helped government and commercial customers surpass physical property challenges by developing over 100 high gravity thermoplastic composite materials engineered for weighting, balancing, radiation shielding, and vibration dampening applications.

Ecomass products replace traditional high density materials including lead and other metallic materials. Its high gravity compounds can be formulated up to the density of lead (11.0 g/cc), offer metal’s physical properties and weight, and deliver injection molded plastic’s design and production advantages. Its high gravity compounds can be injection or compression molded. Perhaps soon or even currently, its customers are either offering or will soon be offering secondary operations.

Vibration Dampening

Everything has frequency, either natural or resonance. Natural frequency is the frequency that exists when a system oscillates (or fluctuates) when not subjected to a continuous or repeated external force.

All materials have resonance frequency. Energy waves, which have both frequency and amplitude, cause vibrations. When technicians and engineers can’t isolate and/or reduce energy at the source, they apply dampening materials to lessen, limit, or avoid oscillations and, thus, reduce energy.

All Ecomass Compounds meet the EU RoHS Directive, are 100% lead free, do not contain any U.S. EPA toxic or hazardous materials, and comply with Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Contact Ecomass today or see its website and complete one if its RFQ Forms to find out how you and/or your company might be able to use its compounds for Vibration dampening or apply them to any other valuable use. Better yet, call me.

Ecomass Technologies

Ecomass Technologies’ concentrates on the development and production of high density engineered thermoplastics, delivering material solutions to OEMs, and material processors worldwide. Its sales representatives and engineering have helped commercial and government customers conquer physical property challenges by developing over 100 high gravity thermoplastic composite materials engineered for weighting, balancing, radiation shielding, and vibration dampening applications.

Ecomass’ high density plastics, high density polymers, and high gravity compounds replace traditional high density materials, such as lead and other metallic materials. They offer the design and production benefits of injection molded plastics, while offering lead’s density (11.0 g/cc) and metal’s weight and physical properties. Its high gravity compounds can be injection or compression molded, which eliminate the need for secondary operations and, thus, reduce costs.

Vibration Dampening

To reduce or eliminate these vibrations, engineers must either isolate or dampen resonant frequency. If isolation isn’t possible, engineers next introduce a damping material, which reduces, restricts, or prevents the oscillatory system’s energy. Ecomass achieves vibration dampening by selecting a practical and appropriate, high gravity soft base resin or Vibration damping material.

Ecomass’ high gravity thermoplastics composite materials have been utilized successfully in a wide variety of vibration dampening applications, including:

o aircraft audio headphones, to improve reception quality and minimize outside noise

o manual transmission shifters, where upper end sport/luxury automobiles drivers of appreciate the decrease in shifter rod vibration

o golf club weights, woods, irons and wedges, thus improving golfers’ swing and ball strike.

Ecomass Compounds meet the EU RoHS Directive, are lead free and nontoxic, completely satisfy international marketplace regulatory concerns, contain no toxic constituents or U.S. EPA hazardous materials, and comply with the Dodd-Frank Act, Section 1502.

Contact Ecomass today to check its case studies and products page to learn how it can deliver a custom tailored material for you.

The Peregrine Fund Hopes to Save Birds From Extinction

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Frangible ammunition, high density materials, Lead free ammunition, thermoplastic composite materials, vibration dampening

The Peregrine Fund hopes to save California Condors, one of world’s largest birds, from extinction by asking hunters in Utah and Arizona to use lead free ammunition.

Hunting and habitat destruction almost caused the California Condor to become extinct. Lead poisoning, however, causes the most deaths. Hunters, using lead bullets, while target shooting, shooting rabbits and other small animals. The birds then feed on the carcasses and suffer from lead poisoning.

In 1996, six California Condors were released in the region. There are now eighty-two. Roughly 450 birds live in captivity or in California and Mexico.

The Peregrine Fund has recruited social scientists and wants to educate coyote and bobcat hunters, as well as those who put down feral or domestic animals and leave the bodies for the condors and other scavenging birds.

The states of Arizona and Utah have sent letters to deer hunters, provided lead free ammunition at no cost, hosted shooting clinics, and offered raffles for those willing to drop off animal carcasses. The programs, however, are voluntary.

Ecomass Technologies

Since 1998, Ecomass Technologies has delivered innovative solutions through advanced composite materials and engineered thermoplastic composite materials. It has worked with both government and commercial customers to overcome physical property and material challenges to meet application needs. Its knowledge, skill, and expertise in the formulation and development of high density thermoplastic compounds allows it to solve material challenges so its customers, original equipment manufacturers, and material processors have the design freedom to focus on form and function. It strives to provide its customers with the highest performing, best priced materials and empower them to develop and produce the finest parts possible and allow them to compete in their respective markets.

Ecomass’ high gravity compounds are engineered to replace traditional materials and have been used as a substitute for lead, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze, copper, and tungsten in a variety of applications. They have been used to shield x-rays and gamma rays; dampen vibrations; balance weights and reduce the loads to which a part is exposed; and, provide density to traditional metallic materials with the production and economic advantages of injection or compression molding.

Ecomass Compounds

All Ecomass Compounds meet the RoHS Directive; do not contain lead or lead compounds; and, contain no materials the U.S. Department of Defense Listing of Toxic Chemicals, Hazardous Substances and Ozone Depleting Substances or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Hazardous Substances Priority List considers toxic or hazardous.

Frangible Ammunition

Frangible ammunition represents the first practical revolutionary change to firearms science in over 100 years. Frangible ammunition powderizes upon impact in order to prevent ricochet hazard and to improve safety during close-quarters combat. Ecomass produces Frangible Ammunition with composite materials of tungsten, copper, or tin utilizing an injection molding or powder metallurgical production process.

Ecomass produces its frangible ammunition using a highly controlled injection molding process that meets the strictest of tolerances. Its projectiles pass both the military’s and many of the world’s leading ammunition manufacturers’ strict ballistic performance testing.

Ecomass Compounds have been used frangible ammunition for the following programs:

• Military training ammunition projectiles (5.56mm)

• Military training ammunition projectiles (9mm and 40 cal)

• 40mm door breaching grenade projectiles for law enforcement personnel

Lead Free Ammunition

Nontoxic, lead free ammunition remains one of the first and most significant Ecomass High Gravity Compound applications. It’s ideal for indoor ranges and close-quarters combat training. It increases safety and eliminates lead contamination risk at firing ranges and hunting grounds.

If you have a special requirement, contact Ecomass Technologies via its RFQ Form at:

http://www.ecomass.com/contact-us/

Or see its website at: http://www.ecomass.com/

It is probably already working on a solution.

 

Floor Vibration Control Could Help Design Quiet Nano-Tech Facilities

Tags

vibration dampening, Vibration damping material

Reducing floor vibration is essential for patterning and imaging industries that work at the sub-nanometre level. As experts move towards smaller scales for pin-point accuracy and more sophisticated solutions, the need for vibration damping and acoustic dampening solutions is now more than ever.

A number of instruments need to achieve extremely precise measurements and the highest of resolutions. For example, electron microscopes need resolutions that range from the sub-nanometer to the tens of nanometres. Yet other microscopes work with resolutions in the sub-Angstrom levels. Floor vibration often causes a hindrance for these tools as it prevents them from achieving their design specifications.

The Quiet Building Concept and its Limitations

To overcome such issues, architects bank on the concept of ‘quiet buildings’, where Vibration dampening and acoustic dampening materials are used to reduce vibration levels without causing too many complexities in design. However, while these buildings offer moderate vibration damping solutions, nano-tech facilities generally need to meet extremely low vibration specification levels, and this significantly increases the cost of constructing the facility.

Another hindrance to the concept of ‘quiet buildings’ is that even though the floors are made using Vibration damping material, the moment you add other machinery and people into the building, vibration negates any benefit that the quiet building design has to offer.

The Quiet Island Concept

New data shows that creating quiet islands at several locations within the facility can truly help the facility achieve the low vibration requirement of nano-tech facilities. The concept focuses on placing a damped, rigid platform that matches the footprint left by the instrument and is ably supported by active acoustic dampening and vibration cancelling systems at locations where precision instruments are located and in locations where experiments and research is expected to be conducted. To do so, architects replace a section of the access floor with an isolated foundation that has been mounted to the sub-floor in order to prevent sub-floor vibrations from reaching the devices.

Benefits of Creating a Quiet Island

One of the main benefits of creating quiet islands is that the technique offers an extremely quiet surface, thereby creating a mini-environment, oases within the facility that are free of vibration. It becomes easier to make these quiet islands meet the cleanliness requirement of nano-tech facilities and rather on focusing on clean rooms and vibration proof rooms, the focus soon turned to clean islands and vibration proof islands, thereby reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

The quiet island concept also helps overcome the vibration caused when people and machinery are introduced into the facility. The approach is to arrange low frequency inertial vibration sensors in 3 axes in order to determine the level of vibration. The signals pass through advanced controllers and high capacity piezoelectric actuators to prevent any floor motion from reaching the isolated surfaces of the quiet island.

The quiet island concept comes as a boon to advanced semiconductor factories and chip-makers. Researchers at advanced electron microscope and imaging centres and nanotechnology research centres can also benefit from the quiet island concept.

Reducing Noisemakers from Your Bow for a Better Hunting Experience

Tags

vibration dampening, vibration dampening materials

Eliminating noise and reducing footprint is extremely essential for bow hunters. We use the quietest hunting clothes to reduce noise and choose scent control products to hide our scent. But what about the bow itself? While most modern-day bows come with vibration dampening mechanisms, there are so many things you can do to make your bow as silent as possible.

Reduce Creaks

Regular use forces the bow to undergo intense amounts of pressure, and this can cause some of the components to shift and creak while taking a shot. Limb pockets are often found to be culprits of giving away your presence after a long season of being dragged through the dirt and set down repeatedly. If you’re experiencing similar sounds or creak, your bow needs to be placed in a press to remove tension from its limbs. Applying grease to the bearings and limb rockers can also work wonders.

Use Rubber String Dampeners

Strings are one of the main sources of vibration and one of the most effective focus areas for vibration dampening. When the string is released, stored energy from the cams and limbs are transferred to the string, propelling the arrow forward. The remaining energy is sent back to the string in the form of sound and vibration. Using a rubber string dampener reduces the amount of time the vibration or sound lasts, while reducing the volume of the shot as well. Adding dampeners to cables can further reduce noise without causing a reduction in overall speed.

Tighten Screws

Another commonly overlooked area is the screw. Bows use a number of screws and these screws begin to lighten their hold, causing creaks when the bow is in use. Remember to check string stops, cable rods, cams and limb pockets and tighten any loose screws.

Use Limb Dampeners

It’s common for the limb to make some noise as it is one of the key factors responsible for your bow’s energy. The parallel limb bow led to a huge drop in the sound being produced during a shot, but vibration dampening materials can also be placed on the limb itself or between limbs (depending on the type of bow) to reduce and eliminate noise.

Work on Your Accessories

Sights, quivers, rests – just about everything can cause noise. When your bow’s making unusual clunking noises, the first thing you should check is whether your accessories are fitted properly. In most cases, a loose accessory is usually the culprit behind that unusual noise. The simplest way to catch the noisemaker is to remove one accessory at a time and shoot the bow to determine the problem maker.

When the bow is at full draw, the increased pressure causes flex, which makes the accessories shift on the bow, thereby causing noise. Always make sure you look for areas where a metal comes in contact with another metal and apply a layer of athletic tape to work as a vibration dampening material. Some of the most common areas you need to look at include stabilizers, rest, sight and quiver mount.

Once you’re used vibration dampening materials to reduce noise as much as possible, it’s time to visit the range to practice your shot. Remember, it is impossible to eliminate certain sounds. Moreover, the bow also sounds louder to the shooter. To truly determine the amount of noise your bow is making, have someone shoot your bow, while you stand on the side, determining just how much of a difference your actions made. Remember, every action that reduces or limits unwanted sounds or vibrations can present a more successful and consistent hunting experience.

New Vest Proves to Be Lighter, Safer and More Effective than Conventional X-Ray Shields

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radiation shielding, radiation shielding materials, Tungsten Polymer, X-ray shielding

Healthcare clinics and hospitals are full of tools and equipment that emit radiation. The modern-day x-ray is a boon to mankind, but it is also quite dangerous for the workers who work around radiation day in and day out. While there are adequate radiation and x-ray shielding policies in place, it’s easy to fall into a routine and become careless. High levels of stress, countless emergencies and innumerable life and death situations don’t help either.

Lead has traditionally been used in radiation shieldingmaterials, but it poses health problems and concerns of its own. And if anything, the Flint fiasco just showed us why we cannot afford to be careless when it comes to the dangers posed by lead.

A group of Polytechnic University researchers has now come up with a possible solution that certainly offers great benefits to all those involved in healthcare, presenting a solution that’s not only easy to wear and maintain, but more flexible and economical as well. The team combined polyurethane and tungsten polymer to create a shield that offers 40% more protection from x-rays. Apart from offering enhanced levels of radiation shielding, this garment is also known to be safer and 22% lighter than conventional shields.

Professor John XinHaozhong talks about the inspiration behind creating this protective gear. He discusses the Fukushima nuclear accident of 2011, touted as the largest disaster after Chernobyl, and states that the presence of nuclear plants close to Hong Kong made it essential to come up with better radiation shielding materials in order to protect people from radiation poisoning.

Researchers used new technologies to transform tungsten polymer into tiny particles and then mix it with polyurethane to create a brand new garment. Since polyurethane is extremely elastic, the vest even manages to offer protection despite being folded. Better yet, this vest only needs to be checked once every three years, making the annual testing of lead vests redundant, and leading to huge savings in radiation shielding budgets.

Fei Bin, an associate professor at the Polytechnic University Institute of Textiles and Clothing, discusses the benefits of this newly created shield. “The material is non-toxic and can be recycled and processed into protective clothing.”

Experts believe that this vest could not only work wonders in protecting patients needing x-rays, but also shield workers working in radiology departments around the world from the dangers of radiation. Commercial opportunities are still being explored though, and the first batch is expected to hit the markets within 6 – 12 months, should a company show interest in producing the vest commercially.