Articles

Extreme testing for new space products

Nanosatellites have to be developed at speeds never imagined before, be inexpensive, and at least twice as reliable as previous iterations. This is a serious challenge that calls for extreme testing.

Earthquake testing

When electronic equipment is to be used in areas with a high risk of earthquakes, the equipment's resistance to earthquakes must also be taken into account. In this short article, we summarise the most important conditions to consider in earthquake testing.

Added powering in waves

Today powering of ships in waves plays an important role since the power estimate gives an indication of the required fuel consumption, which is important in relation to energy efficient operation of the ship and calculation of its EEDI (Energy Efficiency Design Index). 

manoeuvring megaships

Over the past five years, the number of megaships has increased significantly. The megaships are often container ships with a TEU capacity of over 15,000.

EMC standard medical devices

The new EMC-standard for medical electrical equipment is already in full effect, and by January 2019, the transition period for the old EMC standard is ending.

Availability as an IoT driver

This article explains what happens when data from electronics become part of a supply chain, and what you need to take into account when rolling out large wireless networks in an IoT context. 

CFD Trim optimization

News about LED, EMC, and ADCO

LED lights are finding their way into lighting products of all kinds. But what about the lifespan and robustness of the lighting source, and especially the power supply?

Multimedia equipment: Europe versus the world!

In the EU, standards play a key role when documenting that electronic products comply with EU requirements. But the EU and the rest of the world do not always agree, which the standard for multimedia equipment is a good example of.

Uncertainty explained: Class half meters

Most calibration laboratories in the world don’t have uncertainty levels adequately low to perform accredited calibrations of a class half meter. How does this affect the gas metering industry?

5 observations for stakeholders when meeting changes in market legislation

When a market is undergoing changes in legislative regulation, the trading parties involved are to collaborate in order to meet the new, common requirements and procedures. We have gathered 5 observations that apply for stakeholders when meeting changes in market legislation.

Digital health from a standardised perspective

Sharing data is still a challenge in the healthcare system. If we want an even more effective healthcare system we need to put emphasise on data sharing without compromising on the security aspect. Continua, a reference architecture, focuses on how to solve this interoperability.

Join the grid!

Professional networks and clubs in the fields of EMC, IoT, wireless systems, aural perception, and product reliability give you a broad, secure professional grounding. Here, you can meet colleagues in your field and reinforce your continuing education — several times a year, even. Read on to see how it works.

Components disintegrate in unique test facilities

Get your components life tested in the harshest and most aggressive environments to determine whether it is necessary to take the utmost expensive materials solution for your product.

5 good reasons to have your product tested for electrical safety

Electrical safety testing is not just a legal obligation - it also leads to design improvements and good technical documentation.

Accelerated lifetime tests based on the Physics of Failure

Danish companies need methods to find out how long their products will last, so that they know what they can guarantee as well as what that guarantee will end up costing.

New medical device legislation demands increased supervision of software

New EU regulation increases checks of high-risk apps and their clinical functionality and makes it harder for software developers to launch products.

Benefits and challenges of LED lighting

LED lighting wins on all counts these days with low energy consumption and a long lifetime. However, they do not always perform as well.

Common language to describe sound

A vocabulary for sound characteristics enables audio professionals to communicate efficiently when talking about sound perception in the context of audio reproduction.

Standardisation group: ITU-R WP6C RG25

New methods for perceptual evaluation of next generation sound systems.

Interoperability in the health care sector

Exchange of information through open interfaces is a natural part of day-to-day work in many industries and the exchange of information is a basis for improving both services and products. Yet there are still many data silos in which the exchange of data can only take place through proprietary interfaces. However, this is about to change in the health care sector.

Test your IoT devices yourself

Do-it-yourself test facilities provide many companies with the opportunity to carry out their own tests, which are developed in the IoT & Wireless Club.

The committee that approves EMC and radion standards

The directives EMCD and RED are administered by the EU commission, and the supporting standards are handled by the technical commitee TC210. Together with a specialist in the field, the committee maintains a list of the standards that can be used to declare conformity with the directives. This work is ongoing.

Function-critical design of wireless hardware

Since the beginning of the millennium, wireless devices have had a – sometimes well-founded – reputation for being unreliable. However, it is possible to design wireless systems with secure communication.

Supply chain management is crucial for product reliability

Renowned researcher Michael Pecht from CALCE at the University of Maryland has extensive knowledge about how the real world reacts in relation to reliability and product development. We here shared some of his most interesting observations, which he presented at SPM’s anniversary seminar.

Safe navigation is the new requirements for suppliers of medical equipment

The new requirements present challenges but also opportunities for the medical technology industry.

Correlations in performance indicators

Imagine the following scenario: You wish to try a new performance improvement setup on a ship in actual operation.

IoT and reliability

When talking about reliability with regard to mechanical and electronic products, there is a tendency to treat it the same way as thermo-mechanical effects and faults related to product ageing and wear. But which new types of fault are introduced with the Internet of Things (IoT), and what can be done to prevent them?

SPM ERFA 17: HALT/HASS

Exchange experience with knowledgeable colleagues and exploit the potential in HALT and HASS even better.

Simple rules - but many requirements for the military industry

It is well known that in the military industry there are extremely stringent requirements for robustness and documentation. The delivery of small quantities and expensive designs, make it tempting to use “civilian” products, but can they be used?

5 tips for more effective HALT

HALT testing is an effective tool for identifying weaknesses in a product’s design. Here are five good tips for getting more out of the time and resources you invest in the HALT process.

Radio products must be approved by a Notified Body

After 12 June 2017, it will only be possible to place the majority of radio products on the European market if the product has been type approved by a Notified Body in accordance with the Radio Equipment Directive (RED). This applies to almost all radio products, including those which have been approved earlier for the R&TTED.

Policy group: IEEE EPPI wg on ICT

IEEE is technology’s voice in political debates in Europe.

FORCE Technology is a member of the newly established European AIOTI

The rapidly growing Internet of Things (IoT) has accelerated the establishment of a new European organisation, AIOTI, which works to promote dialogue between different IoT players. A number of major, global companies and research centres – among others FORCE Technology – have recognised a need for the association and are already active members.

Reliable software is an important part of a device's reliability

Agile testing is becoming established.

Product mission profiling in practice

Mission profiles are an important part of the product development process and form the basis for the specification of product requirements – but how are mission profiles generated in practice for new products? A new SPM report provides practical examples of mission profiles and their derived tests.

Basic standards - the basis of standardisation's food pyramid

Standards are technical documents that establish procedures and technical requirements, for example, for the execution of EMC testing with electrical disturbance. When technical developments in society change the electrical environment, the standards and requirements keep up and take into consideration new sources of electrical disturbance, for example such as the widespread presence of wireless products or highly efficient switch-mode power supplies for LED lighting. An international group of experts are writing the new basic standards.

Connectors cost reliability and money

Connectors are notoriously considered the “bad boy” in the reliability class. Ensure correct robustness and reliability of the connectors in your product by means of connector reliability testing developed by FORCE Technology.

From market feedback to reliable product development

Reliability is in focus in connection with product development and production, but what happens once the product has been delivered to the customer?

Risk management relating to EMC for medical devices

The requirement for EMC risk handling is more explicit in harmonised standards for medical devices than anywhere else.

Participation in standardisation committees adds important knowledge about electrical safety

One of the main purposes of safety standards is to implement the requirements for safety in market requirements, e.g. EU directives. The requirements ensure that the risks of damage and injury to people, animals, environment, and property are kept down to an acceptable level.

How you can optimise the curing process for epoxy – and ensure the quality of your product

Many companies experience challenges with the quality of the finished product when manufacturing composites and coatings. We have therefore identified a thermal analysis method that ensures optimal curing of epoxy in the manufacturing process, thereby reducing the risk of complaints and recalls of products. 

Five tips for getting more out of your vibration test

Vibration tests are often carried out to verify that a product meets a set of specific requirements or in order to investigate the product’s general robustness to vibration conditions that the product may be subjected to, e.g. during transport or use.

Interoperability in old medical devices

Are we finally seeing momentum in telemedicine with interoperable products? The latest initiatives in the Nordic countries have brought an actual market closer than ever before. It is time to consider what needs to happen to existing equipment held by citizens and hospitals.

A longer life for LED Power Electronics

One of the greater challenges with LED lighting is the electronic driver’s robustness to normally occurring transients or power surges in the network. Many everyday examples have shown that the active electronics in the light sources find it hard to handle the effects in a use environment, in which incandescent bulbs and lamps with passive electronics have functioned fine for decades. A new project funded by the Innovation Network Smart Energy (INNO-SE) will characterise the electronic environment with regard to the occurrence of these surges.

Conformity work paves the way for mutual recognition of documentation

Through active participation in standardisation committees, FORCE Technology ensures that Danish companies – especially small and medium sized enterprises – influence the preparation of International standards so they do not inhibit the companies’ development. Here, the standardisation of the requirements for assessing conformity is a crucial element for achieving mutual recognition of documentation.

Failure analysis of a product - not only a component

Classic failure analysis (FA) technique generally deals with a single failed component in a complete product to detect the root cause of failure. This approach is inexpensive and less time-consuming. However, this may end up with a wrong interpretation of the product failure or overlooking the synergetic effect of different components related to the failure. 

Markings in the simulator

The use of Aids to Navigation (AtoN) should ensure that Mariners at all times are able to navigate safely even in bad weather such as high waves, strong current and wind, rain, snow, fog, etc.

Requirements for sub-suppliers of medical devices

Sourcing is a well-known concept and it is here to stay. Further sourcing has become a fixed element of product development and production.

What to do when your product does not match a harmonised standard?

How do the notified bodies ensure a uniform handling of product documentation so that the result is more or less the same regardless of who is chosen on the EU list of notified bodies?

What factors determine the lifetime of electronic drivers for LED lighting?

LED lighting continues to gain ground in recent times, thanks particularly to its strong properties such as low energy consumption and long lifetime. This lifetime is challenged, however, by factors that are not always apparent. Gain an insight into which factors actually influence the lifetime of electronic drivers for LED lighting.

Quality requirements for apps

As more and more apps become available on the market, it has become harder for users to know which apps are worth obtaining. For developers, a set of rules for the approval of an app is complex, and new requirements are on the way.

70 years of electric mission profiling

The innovation project ´LED power electronics to last!´, which is funded by INNO SE, works with the electric use environment for mains connected lighting products. The project draws on important and unique knowledge that has been generated by Danish Energy since 2003. This provides interesting perspectives for calculating a product’s lifetime.

Standards - a well of useful information

Well-defined and reproducible tests in accordance with international standards are fundamental to successful testing that is recognised globally.

SPM then, now and in the future

SPM is a unique network association where professionals for the past 50 years have created and shared knowledge about what is needed to make products reliable and robust.

EMC and MIL standards - the heavyweights

Complex and costly electronic equipment and systems must often fulfil strict requirements, for example to meet MIL standards. When choosing what sections of the MIL standards you wish to test your equipment up against, there are a number of aspects concerning immunity and EMC that you need to consider.

Knowledge about connector reliability can lead to more reliable products

The vast majority of electrical devices are equipped with one or more types of connector, which are known for often being crucial to the reliability of a product.

Turning basin

A well-operating turning basin is of vital importance for the port efficiency. But when establishing or re-designing a turning basin does it make sense to follow existing guidelines?

Electric testing measuring equipment must fulfil the safety requirements of the Low Voltage Directive

FORCE Technology takes an active role in standardisation work for the standards EN/IEC 61010-1 and thus has inside knowledge about the standards, their content and upcoming changes. This means that we can give our customers optimal and up-to-date advice that is aimed specifically at their products.

Lean Mean ALT Lab - when we want to know the lifetime of an electronic product

Knowing the lifetime of an electronics product is vital when assessing and documenting the product reliability. Read about the exciting new initiatives, like the Lean Mean ALT Lab, that FORCE Technology works with in its physical testing to determine the lifetime of electronics used in completely different situations.

Helideck operations

A large number of offshore structures and vessels are equipped with either a helideck or dedicated winching areas for helicopter operations. The airflow surrounding these areas can play a significant role in limiting the serviceability of the helideck.

5 arguments for re-calibration of gas meters

Can your gas meter measure correctly without periodical re-calibration? Can a calibration laboratory? Re-calibration of gas meters continues to be a discussion point in the natural gas industry. 

Cyber security screening of products

More and more products are being produced for production lines and control systems with built-in software, thereby increasing their dependency on IT security. But how do we ensure that the products are adequately secure and will remain so for their entire lifetime?

Can you safely pass a grounded ship?

With ever larger vessels combined with shallow waters near shores, the risk of grounding when calling a port or navigating a channel is increasing.

Five things to consider when making a requirement specification for plastic materials and products

All too often, requirement specifications end up being difficult and expensive to draw up and maintain in relation to the value the company gets from them. A requirement specification can actually be a valuable tool if it is based on the functionality of the product and the elements it contains, rather than simply being a shopping list that cannot be altered.

Wind tunnel workshop

Despite buildings and surrounding bushes and trees, the wind may still manage to find its way across an outdoor area, resulting in unpleasant wind conditions.

Pedestrian wind comfort in urban areas

Placing a building or in other ways changing a built-up area will have an impact on the wind flow. In order to ensure the usability of the surrounding environment, architects and engineers need to address the wind comfort of the area. 

Visualising of a wind load tests

Wind loading is an important design parameter for all building structures. For some structures, the wind loading even constitutes the most important load scenario to be considered in the design.

New developments in coatings for extended lifetime for offshore wind structures

Crew teamed up for safety

Team dynamics, communication, mutual understanding and interaction are fundamental parameters for developing a functional and valuable teamwork. 

How to determine the power demand using RANS CFD

A self-propulsion tank test is often made in the late design phase to verify the performance of the hull and propeller together and to predict the power demand for the engine.

How to quantify fugitive methane emissions from landfills

There are two main challenges when quantifying fugitive methane emissions from landfills to the atmosphere: The spatial and the temporal variation of the emission. But the dynamic tracer gas dispersion method can help overcome these challenges.

Wind comfort on cruise vessels

One of the main purposes of going on a cruise is for the passengers to be able to enjoy themselves in the open deck spaces. 

Psychologists help mechanics perform a better car repair service

Car repair shops are increasingly using digital tools in their work processes. User tests conducted by our psychologists provides unique insights for the developers so they can optimise the software tools and make them more user-friendly.

Psychometric test - a useful tool for optimising safety on ships

Safety awareness and behaviour of the employees is a cornerstone for companies operating in the maritime industry. 

Hydrodynamic challenges with POD propulsion

Azimuthing thrusters are common propulsion units for a variety of ships as they offer compact arrangement, possibility of vector thrust, high propulsive efficiency and subsequent lower power/fuel consumption.

Mathematical model

The realism in a ship bridge simulator derives from a variety of sources such as the mathematical model, the equipment (handles, ECDIS, radar etc.) and the visual system. In this article, we will focus on what makes a mathematical model reliable and realistic.

Why poor communication and bad cultural understanding could jeopardise operations

How to measure and reduce emission of particles and black carbon from ship engines

The IMO has banned the use of heavy fuel oil with a high sulphur content aiming at a reduction of particle emissions from ships by 2020. However, new initiatives are underway from the IMO to regulate black carbon emissions. Learn how MAN Diesel & Turbo and Alfa Laval Aalborg (DK) prepare and optimize measurements of black carbon emissions.

Wind loads on cruise vessels

The wind forces affect vessels both during sailing conditions and during berthing operations. In general, cruise vessels have larger windage areas which can result in large side forces and large yawing moment.

LNG custody transfer and transport fuel applications

A European R&D project is headed towards ensuring full traceability of LNG flow metering for fair trade in custody transfer.

Converting theoretical knowledge into practical skills

You have most likely participated in different courses during your career, but have you ever considered how much of the newly acquired knowledge and skills you apply in your daily work, and what could have made your learning process more efficient?

Optimised approach channel

At each port, the Port Authority is responsible for the maintenance and development of the port facilities and for maintaining navigable access to the port for commercial shipping. To proactively plan the operations, the Port Authority needs to initiate solutions to comply with the demands for e.g. depth or operability during approach and departure.

CFD Hull line optimisation

Depending on the project stage and hull form development, it is either important to focus on main design parameters, such as LPP, breadth and volume distribution, or to concentrate in detail on local areas such as the bulbous bow, transom or the skeg design.

RANS CFD for self-propulsion

As CFD techniques and computer power are developing, the significance of complex CFD simulations as support to traditional towing tank tests, is increasing rapidly.

Composites leave traditional materials behind

A longboard made from composites with a lower weight and better riding ‘feel’ than competing designs on the market. This was the result of a case study on a course held by FORCE Technology and DTU Wind Energy.

Challenging river cruise manoeuvring

Ship handling of cruise ships on rivers is challenging and requires good manoeuvring skills for the crew to avoid accidents. 

8 things to remember when shipping gas meters to a calibration facility

We have gathered our best tips to successful shipment of your gas meters.

Safe passing distances to moored ships

A critical factor in designing or operating a port is when entering or departing ships are required to pass already moored ships.

Can ISO 19030 comply with reality?

In 2016, a new standard was issued by ISO called “Ships and Marine Technology – Measurement of changes in hull and propeller performance”.

Port design

Port design requires thorough and proper evaluation to ensure safety and efficiency.

Highlights from the (re)calibration workshop

80 manufacturers, gas end-users and metrology experts from over 20 countries gathered for the (re)calibration workshop 2017 in Denmark. If you missed it – here are the highlights from the event.

Why model tests should be part of the retrofit process

Large gains can be achieved by retrofitting your vessel, but which retrofit solution fits best? To fully understand and gain the most of your retrofit, accurate model tests are needed to verify possible improvements.

Successful corrosion protection of offshore wind farms

Following an uncertain start, the present offshore coating systems for wind farms have shown fine durability against the aggressive marine environment. 

Inland waterways – risks and possibilities

Inland waterways are important to the efficiency of the global transportation of goods. However, as the ships become larger, effects like banks, current and shallow water become more and more significant and challenging.

Trim optimisation - an efficient tool for minimising energy consumption

In the past, the hull form has been focused on one design point only; specified loading condition (typically full load), corresponding draught of the vessel (typically even keel), and specified design speed.

How to avoid expensive downtime in approach channels

Due to the development in ship sizes, larger and larger ships have to sail through the sometimes very narrow and shallow approach channels, making adjustments necessary to fit today’s requirements for efficiency.

Parametric bulb optimisation

Bulbous bows designed for one top speed condition only will not be efficient in other operational conditions. Especially at lower speeds, they  increase wave making and decrease vessel performance, significantly.

Emergency towing - when preparation is equally important as the operation

If an emergency towing operation is not properly trained and prepared for the outcome can end up being even worse than the ship incident.

Tug operation on rivers - a challenging task

Assisting tugs on rivers are exposed to hazards that set demands for special skills, careful planning and establishing preventative measures. 

Tugs in ports - what is important?

When establishing a new port or expanding an existing port, a very important task is matching the capability of the tugs to the calling ships and the port itself. This can be determined based on navigational simulations.

Investigation of tug incidents

When tug accidents occur questions arise like “What went wrong?’ and more importantly ‘How do we ensure the likelihood of repetition is very close to zero?’. Our methods help identify the cause of the accidents. 

Inspection using drone technology

The way to inspect inaccessible areas indoor and outdoor – both offshore and onshore.

New models for predicting corrosion risk

CFD simulation of damage in biomass-fired power plants incorporating new corrosion modelling

Corrosion in biomass-fired installations

Firing with biomass rather than fossil fuels presents greater challenges in terms of corrosion.

Production advantages using laser cladding as an additive manufacturing method

Is it possible to obtain the same material characteristics of a component using laser cladding as additive manufacturing method compared to conventional production methods?

Testing of components in aggressive environments

Test corrosion resistance and functionality of materials intended for exposure to high pressure, high temperatures and/or a corrosive environment.