TRaC and MET LABS. ENSURE SUSHI SUCCESS IN THE USA

Posted on 08/23/2012 by

As more and more people turn toward a healthy, balanced diet as part of their life style choice, so the popularity of the Japanese cuisine, Sushi, has grown.

The number of Sushi style restaurants is growing in Japan, Europe and the USA, at the heart of the customer service method in a Sushi restaurant is the increasingly complex, conveyor system.

The conveyor system delivers the freshly prepared food to the customer, checks for freshness and removes the used dishes for washing and reprocessing.

One of the largest Sushi conveyor system manufacturers is Ishino Seisakusho co., Ltd (Ishino) based in Kanazawa Japan. Producing a complete Sushi conveyor system for shipment every day, Ishino has recently addressed the US market.

Ishino has successfully certified Sushi conveyor systems for Europe with TRaC via our Japanese partner Product Safety Compliance Corp. (PSC ), so naturally Ishino turned to TRaC for a route to compliance for their US market.

MET Labs and the MET mark was TRaC’s obvious choice for US certification. TRaC has been safety testing products for the US and Canadian markets for over twenty years and MET has been certifying, listing, and labelling products for electrical product safety for more than 40 years. In that time, MET has certified thousands of products for compliance to electrical safety standards. This translates into literally millions of products sold in the U.S. and Canada labelled with the MET Mark. MET is currently qualified to certify products in over 170 UL Standard categories.

TRaC understands that a professional, expedient and cost effective service is needed for a US safety mark to ensure their clients maximise their potential in the US and Canadian markets. MET matches the TRaC expectation of delivering this service to its clients and working together for over 20 years, TRaC knew that METs full certification route via a witnessed field test programme would be the most efficient and cost effective route to compliance.

Using UL763 as a basis for the Sushi conveyor and UL921 for the dishwasher, TRaC and MET produced a test program covering all of the risks associated with the Sushi system.

The system was then approved via field testing at the Ishino Seisakusho plant in Japan.

The MET marked Sushi conveyor system, ensures success for Ishino in the US market will continue, TRaC, MET and PSC are delighted to have been chosen to provide the solution for the US regulatory safety compliance  which enabled market access.

 

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What is HALT?

Posted on 08/23/2012 by

HALT stands for “Highly Accelerated Life Test”. It is a process applied during the development phase of a new product, to validate design robustness. It is most commonly used to identify potential weaknesses in electrical and electronic assemblies.

Following HALT appropriate design modifications are made so that volume manufacturing can begin with a mature product design, thus minimizing costly warranty issues and potentially disastrous product recalls.

The fundamental principle is to apply stepped applications of increasingly powerful environmental stresses until latent (i.e. hidden) defects are precipitated; these are then rectified and the modifications revalidated.

If a product has an intrinsic weakness, exposure to day-to-day operating conditions will eventually cause it to fail at that point of weakness. By careful application of increased stress levels in HALT, the time for that same failure to occur is dramatically reduced.

Very few product samples are needed and the process can be competed very quickly.

The most commonly applied stresses (but not exclusively) are thermal and broadband multi-axis random vibration. These are used individually and then in combination.

There is no Industry Standard for HALT but the following stresses are usually applied to one or more functionally monitored test specimens until they cease to function:

  1. Progressive reduction in temperature to determine the lower operational limit and then the lower destruct limit
  2. Progressive increase in temperature to determine the upper operational limit and then the upper destruct limit
  3. Progressively more stressful thermal cycling at high, linear, rates of change of temperature
  4. Broadband random vibration at increasing intensity levels
  5. A combination of thermal and random vibration stresses

At each stage when a failure occurs, root cause analysis is performed, corrective action is implemented and the process continues until the fundamental limit of the product technology is reached.

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Going global: TRaC’s approvals without frontiers

Posted on 07/23/2012 by

This post is by Rob Campling, Approvals Engineer at TRaC

Globalisation has opened up many more opportunities for manufacturers of radio and telecoms products. These days, business might be a few time zones away instead of on your doorstep.

While a share of a worldwide market worth hundreds of millions of pounds beckons to ambitious companies, getting product approval can be more challenging and time-consuming than people first realise.

There can be hurdles to overcome, especially when working in markets other than those in the EU and North America, so it’s very helpful to have access to the right networks of approvals professionals, know the best routes to market in different circumstances and possess good project management skills as well as cultural awareness.

We manage around 30 projects consecutively to enable clients to get the ‘green light’ for their products in the worldwide market and I would like to share my top three tips for seeking telecoms and radio approval; drawing on my experience of working in over 150 markets.

Tip 1: One size doesn’t fit all. Remember, if you are seeking product approval outside European or North American markets, the process may take quite a bit longer and be more involved than you might expect.

Within the European Economic Area (EEA), manufacturers benefit from CE Marking (meaning ‘Conformité Européenne’, or European Conformity), whereby the manufacturer can test to the applicable product standard and declare their product meets the relevant EU Directives. Following this the products can be freely distributed to any EEA country providing it meets the CE Marking requirements.

In addition, the manufacturer can then use the test reports to launch the product in  certain areas outside of the EEA without further testing or adaptation, it is important however to ensure that any local certification is gained (using your EU reports) and the relevant labelling applied.

If in contrast you plan to launch in Brazil, one of the fastest growing global markets for electronic products, this is among the nations that require their own in-country testing. So new products require safety, EMC (electromagnetic compatibility), radio and/or telecoms testing within a Brazilian lab – something that could seriously impact on your launch schedule and budgets!

Tip 2: Can you vault the language barrier? Not all markets speak English as their working language – do you have contacts on the ground who can deal with officials in their ‘mother tongue?’

Despite the adoption of English throughout the Western World, the approvals path may run more smoothly if your network includes contacts who are fluent in the native language, for instance, in the Middle East. Being aware of the local culture and traditions may also be important to expedite the process, and the need to use a translator can add to your timescales.

Tip 3: The whole world isn’t digital. Even in 2012, not every market uses email.  So you may need to work with old-fashioned paper forms and the postal service to get the ‘rubber stamp’ in some countries. This was something we recently factored in while gaining a certificate of approval for a client in Tanzania; a nation that still uses hand-written paperwork, along with the requirement to hand deliver the forms to officials.

So as you can see, there is more than meets the eye in getting your product to market, and we will be sharing further insight into global approvals in future blogs.

For more information, please contact me on robert.campling@tracglobal.com.

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Does having IECEE CB certification really help?

Posted on 07/17/2012 by

As manufacturers and designers look to expand their market potential to far flung parts of the world, does the IECEE CB scheme really offer a global approach to electrical safety?

Some might say it’s not possible to have a truly global set of safety requirements, as certain countries around the world have their own mandatory certification requirements which the IECEE CB scheme does not offer. This is indeed true but what the IECEE CB scheme does offer is the ability to reduce the amount of testing in other parts of the world. The whole ethos of the CB scheme is based on mutual acceptance of test data which can in turn facilitate the ability to obtain in-country certification. In simple terms, it removes the need for additional in-country testing at further expense and delay to market.

Harmonisation of National test standards with the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) equivalents means that testing against one set of standards covering multiple countries is no longer a pipe dream but reality.

In terms of overseas acceptance of the CB scheme, all the major economies around the world accept a CB certification as proof of safety compliance. Of course application of a mandatory certification mark such as NRTL for USA, SCC for Canada or CCC for China still need to be adhered too but re-testing in those countries is removed. In terms of China, they do not accept EMC testing other than via in-country testing which can be more problematic.

TRaC operates three Certification Body Test Labs (CBTL’s), two here in the UK and more recently a third in China (Shenzhen Morlab). Through our Chinese partner we are able to offer CB certification to Chinese manufacturers as well as assisting UK and European importers of electrical products into China, enabling them to meet all the relevant CCC regulatory requirements.

A TRaC IECEE CB certificate is your passport to global product certification.

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Peter Luff praises TRaC Global at DVD 2012

Posted on 07/16/2012 by

Peter Luff, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, opened the final day of DVD 2012 on June 21, 2012 and highlighted the crucial role small and medium enterprises play in creating a vibrant and sustainable defence industry.

Referring to the ‘wind of change’ that had blown through the defence sector in the past few years, Luff cited the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), the Army 2020 vision and a balanced military budget as three major developments that were transforming the operational landscape.

After addressing his audience the Minister visited four trade stands at the event and spent a good amount of time chatting to personnel on the TRaC Global booth.

When TRaC personnel explained to Luff the company’s success in the military and aerospace markets, he replied: “Well, I’m really pleased to hear that. I can see the quality of services offered by TRaC Global is as good as, if not better than the rest of the world.”

Steve Hayes EMC & Safety Managing Director at TRaC presented a paper at the conference entitled, ‘EMC considerations bringing TES vehicles into Core.’ He discussed the vehicle types used in theatre, why EMC is important, why emission testing is needed and the dilemma faced by troops given the choice between jamming hostile signals to set off improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and maintaining communication with base and coalition forces operating within the same theatre.

Steve Hayes concluded that assessment was needed on current EMC and electrical performance and variability of results. Very difficult decisions need to be made to bring urgent operational requirement (UOR) vehicles into core, particularly cost versus benefit.

Luff concluded his day at the DVD event at Millbrook, Bedfordshire, by confirming funding of £5.5bn for the Armed Fighting Vehicle (AFV) pipeline, adding; “The army has perhaps paid a high price for lack of clarity in the past, with projects being cancelled or shelved at short notice. Our new planning regime will put an end to this.”

As proof positive of the new ‘open systems’ approach to vehicle procurement, as outlined in the Defence White Paper, Luff highlighted the British Army’s newest patrol vehicle, Foxhound. This vehicle is currently operational in Afghanistan and is an example of a UK designed and built vehicle – with 90 per cent of parts being sourced from UK suppliers, according to the Minister.

Organised by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), DVD is one of the key European events in the defence diary, bringing together all relevant stakeholders supporting the UK’s Land Forces.

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Homing in on the seminar hot topics

Posted on 07/13/2012 by

This blog is by John Charters, Radio Product Manager at TRaC

Last week, we ran another busy Approvals Seminar and I’m pleased to say it was a great success.

The packed agenda covered a number of radio and wireless product approval topics and how it relates to a range of markets.

The first presentation focused on the Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (R&TTE) EU Directive and sparked a number of questions and discussions afterwards. The requirement within the R&TTE Directive that removes the lower operating voltage limits for battery powered products of the Low Voltage Directive prompted most debate. The implications of this are that manufacturers of battery powered radio products can’t rely on being below the lower voltage threshold and will have to carry out testing to ensure compliance with the Low Voltage Directive. Costs for this assessment may not have been initially factored into their budgets.

When we turned to North America and the Rest of the World, there was again no shortage of questions, this time about modular integration and applicability for the requirements of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC – the American regulator).

The discussion related to the integration of previously approved modules and how some retesting may be necessary due to limitations placed in the original grant of authorisation.  Manufacturers were shown how to check the FCC website for the original module grant and examples of the types of restrictions to look out for.

So all in all, it was another successful, but hectic, day.

If you have any feedback about the seminar, or would like to speak to us for more about how TRaC Global can help you gain approval for your products, please email at John.Charters@tracglobal.com.

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All Hands on Bluetooth at Vancouver get-together

Posted on 07/12/2012 by

This post is by Andy Salisbury, R&TTE application engineer at TRaC

I was among more than 200 delegates from North America, Asia and Europe at the Bluetooth SIG All Hands Meeting in Vancouver, Canada recently where we discussed Bluetooth, the dominant technology in the mobile low energy sector.

Attendees joined in with the training sessions and working groups (which comprised 3D Glasses, Audio/Video, Automation, CORE, GATT, HID, Medical, Multiprofile, Personal User Interface, Sports and Fitness, Telephony and Car). There was also a presentation from analyst Stuart Carlaw from ABI Research, about today’s Bluetooth market and the opportunities for this technology in future.

He observed that nearly every mobile phone has Bluetooth capability and there are now two billion devices shipped; projected to reach nearly four billion by 2016. Only 10 per cent of Bluetooth devices are actively used, but this is set to change with the advent of the latest version of Bluetooth (version 4.0).

This version has been referred to as Bluetooth Low Energy as low energy technology is its main feature, but more importantly this feature is the basis for Bluetooth Smart devices. The SIG considered this so important, that it introduced the Bluetooth Smart and Smart Ready logos. The latest development of Bluetooth opens up the market for devices which are designed to gather data and require a long battery life, covering areas such as health and fitness, smart home and remote controls. This data can be readily utilized by apps running on Bluetooth Smart Ready products such as phones, tablets and even TVs.

These devices can operate using both older ‘legacy’ versions of Bluetooth and the newer Bluetooth Smart, and can act as a hub for Bluetooth Smart devices providing internet access and Apps to make use of the data acquired from the new generation of products. Apple and Windows 8 are supporting the Bluetooth Smart Ready technology, which will move the game on.

For more information on the Bluetooth SIG, please contact me at andy.salisbury@tracglobal.com.

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