Shock, Vibration & Noise News

Spring is officially here and with it (for those living in cold climates) comes a new batch of pot holes to navigate. So let's investigate the automobile shock absorber in depth. This article is for those who may experience a poor ride due to dead shocks and follows one mechanic's attempt to inject new life into his vehicle's suspension.

Highly optimized suspensions may not be for everyone; stock springs and shocks are more than adequate for everyday driving. But for the performance enthusiast, hot rod owner, or those interested in shock absorber technology, this article explains the noticeable differences between single and double adjustable VariShocks.

Perhaps it's a symptom of a modern world where tradition bows to office worker productivity. One Scottish bagpiper has been banned from performing due to noise complaints. The video link explains how the Scottish resource management act can take the performer's instrument; silencing Scotland's streets of traditional bagpipe music.

A noisy subway terminal and a performing arts center can make poor neighbors. But acoustical engineers renovating New York City's Alice Tully Hall found ways to overcome the rumbling noise and vibration. They used high tech materials and building techniques to isolate the subway system from the next big performance.

For more on this subject, subscribe to GlobalSpec's e-Newsletter DirectU2 The world of Acoustics & Audio Technology.

Smart Phone technology may be most promising, at least from a research perspective. While most use the phones to text and geo tag photos, a much wider capability lets the devices collect dynamic data. Combined with GPS data, they can report on geographic data including mapping hazardous metropolitan noise.

According to old issues of mechanics magazines, by now we should be flying around in personal helicopters. But as we know, not that much has changed. Change may come with adaptive cruise control systems. Besides saving millions of barrels of gas, it might put a happy end to speeding, inattentive, and less than courteous drivers.

Rigid metal pipe couplings and rubber gasket mounts have drawbacks for machine and equipment installation and interconnection. When high levels of vibration and harsh chemicals are involved, try knitted metal mesh. It's durable and reduces vibration while resisting harsh environments over a range of temperatures and applications.

Nanotechnology needs high precision focusing and positioning systems capable of high repeatability and accuracy while correcting for vibration. Micron level high-precision positioning products target imaging, microscopy, and lithography. They also serve high load applications like machine tools and adaptive vibration control.

Excessive noise exposure can induce hearing loss. But did you know that untreated cases of hearing loss can cause other serious physical illnesses? A study of workers indicates that noise levels above 85 dB are sufficient to decrease your hearing ability and may also lead to high blood pressure, ulcers, insomnia, and digestive disorders. The Qatar study covered two groups of 100 workers each. The first was production workers who were exposed to noise levels above 85 decibels (dB). The second included administrative staff with exposure to lower noise levels.

Peace time Naval exercises are not always as low key as we might think. The BBC reports on the collision between two nuclear-armed and nuclear-powered subs occurring in the vastness of the Atlantic ocean. How do two nuclear submarines collide when they are equipped with the best sonar on earth? It seems both may have been using 'anti-sonar' technology to hide their location. While damage was considerable, there was no reported radioactive release.

Bad to the Bone

How are road conditions where you live? Can a global economy be turned around by focusing on decaying highways and bridges? Bad roads may mean new jobs, but would you settle for road work?