ETS-Lindgren, Cedar Park, Tex, has opened a new acoustic research laboratory featuring state-of-the-art chambers for acoustic test services.
With the hemi-anechoic chamber, two reverberation chambers, impedance tubes, and supporting acoustic test equipment and software, the lab now offers product noise emission testing and structural/architectural acoustic testing. Acoustic field testing services are available upon request.
The laboratory is ISO 17025 accredited under the Department of Commerce NIST National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP).
Product noise emission testing is commonly performed in the double-walled hemi-anechoic chamber that is designed to measure very low noise emissions from products and devices at 80 Hz and above. Outside chamber dimensions are 8.5 meters long by 8.5 meters wide by 7 meters high. The chamber is useful for testing sound power and pressure levels and small fan noise.
Products tested include information technology equipment (ITE), such as laptop computers and associated printers—essentially, any noise-emitting device may be tested. Commonly referenced standards for testing in the chamber include ISO 3744, ISO 3745, ISO 7779, ISO 11201, and ECMA 74.
Structural/architectural acoustic testing is performed in the reverberation chambers. With transmission loss testing of wall samples, windows, doors, and automobile panels, customers can determine how much sound energy is transmitted through a product sample at specific frequencies. Sound absorption testing may also be performed in the chambers to determine how much sound energy is absorbed by products. Sound insulation products, fabrics, and wall absorbers for theaters are a few such products tested. The source chamber measures 7.4 meters long by 5.9 meters wide by 4.8 meters high; the receive chamber measures 7.4 meters long by 9.2 meters wide by 6 meters high. ASTM E90, ASTM C423, ASTM E596, and ISO 3741 are the most commonly referenced standards for testing in these chambers.
“We designed these chambers for the best performance possible and worked closely with our facility personnel to ensure the parent building that houses these chambers enhances their performance,” said Douglas Winker, PhD, acoustic engineer for the company. "The hemi-anechoic inner chamber sits on a 50-ton isolated concrete slab. The reverberation chambers sit on individual floating concrete slabs. With our NVLAP accreditation, customers can be confident that we have a total quality system in place with instrumentation traceable to NIST and experienced technicians who produce accurate measurement data.”
The company also offers its Acoustic Systems brand test chambers. The acoustic chambers are manufactured by a veteran production team with more than 35 years of experience controlling sound energy.
The company is an international manufacturer of components and systems that measure, shield, and control electromagnetic and acoustic energy. Its products are used for electromagnetic compatibility, microwave, wireless and magnetic resonance imaging testing, electromagnetic field measurement, radio frequency personal safety monitoring, and control of acoustic environments.
It operates manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.
