MSC.Nastran 2004 released

MSC Software has announced the release of MSC.Nastran 2004, which has enhanced functionality for noise, vibration and harshness (NVH), acoustics, dynamics and optimization.

Read more on the MSC.Nastran web site.

Lord Corporation to give webcast on the state of smart materials

Lord Corporation, a manufacturer of noise and vibration isolation products, will present a seminar on the state of current technology of “smart materials”. Dr. J. David Carlson, a recognized expert in the field of magnetorheological devices, will chair a panel of expert that will discuss the topic of “Vehicular Applications of Smart Materials: Beyond the Hype and Out the Laboratory”.

Read the press release on the Lord Corporation web site.

NASA are listening for aircraft wake

NASA Langley Research Center are conducting experiments at Denver International Airport to measure the sound generated by the vortex wake of aircraft. In addition two LIDARs (laser radars) will be used to measure the vortex strength and movement. The scientists hope to determine whether a permanent monitoring system is feasable at an operating airport.

Read the press release on the NASA web site.

Low cost accelerometers for 2-40Hz

Measurement Specialties manufacture a low cost cantilever-type vibration sensor called Minisense 100. It uses a PVDF sensing element with a mass attached at one end. The sensor is suitable for measuring vibration between 2-40Hz.

Read the Minisense 100 specifications on the Measurement Specialities web site.

ESI Group announce series of conferences

ESI Group have announced a series of conferences focused on digital simulation software for prototyping and manufacturing processes. The schedule is:
EuroPAM 2003 – October 16-17, 2003
AmeriPAM 2003 – October 21-22, 2003
HanPAM 2003 – November 10-11, 2003
Puca 2003 – November 13-14, 2003
ChinaPAM 2003 – November 17-18, 2003

Read more on the ESI Group web site.

Sonion make MEMS microphones

Sonion manufacture two types of microphones using MEMS technology. One is for mobile devices such as PDAs and mobile telephones, the other is for hearing aids. These microphones are *small* – 3mm^3.

Read more on the Sonion web site.