A new metal wedge hemi-anechoic
chamber, designed and manufactured by Eckel Noise Control Technologies
using their new SupersoftTM acoustic wedges, has been supplied to
the Blythe Bridge facility of General Domestic Appliances (GDA).
The chamber is used to test white goods from GDA's Hotpoint, Creda
and Cannon ranges. Measuring internally 5.8m x 5.8m x 3.2m high
the chamber has an internal ambient measured sound pressure level
(Lp) of 18dB(A) and conforms to ISO 3745.
Eckel's SupersoftTM wedges have a perforated metal
profile while the acoustic absorptive material within the wedge
is encapsulated in an acoustically transparent non-woven fabric,
which is chemically resistant and has a Class One fire rating. This
eliminates fibre migration from the wedge without reducing its acoustical
performance. Having a metal profile makes the SupersoftTM wedges
robust and hard wearing, ideal for every day use.
The structure was built using high performance modular
acoustic panels with a modular floating floor designed for 5Hz of
vibration isolation. The inner ceiling and walls are lined with
metal SupersoftTM wedges finish painted in white. An additional
independently isolated inertia block was installed for test products
to be positioned upon to eliminate vibration into the host structure.
Access into the chamber is via a double leaf acoustic door.
Eckel also supplied and installed all the ventilation,
power, lighting and plumbing amounting to a true 'turnkey' installation.
Because the chamber is constructed from modular components it can
be relocated or expanded as required with relative ease. Richard
Hellon, GDA's Laboratory Manager, commented: 'The potential disruption
that an installation of this kind could cause was kept to a minimum
- within eight weeks of Eckel arriving on site I had the keys to
a high performance test chamber that had been finished on time and
within budget. The chamber is now in daily use as a benchmark tool'.
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