Aerospace firm reduces noise levels

With the aid of the NASA-funded Space Alliance Technology Outreach Program (SATOP), operations at Smiths Aerospace's Long Island facility are now much quieter. When redesigning its manufacturing floor, Smiths, which produces aircraft power and control system components, wanted to reduce the noise level resulting from vibration testing in the environmental stress screening test lab. The company followed the recommendations of a SATOP partner and installed special acoustic noise-reducing panels that have solved the problem. The walls of the lab were constructed of hollow framing with sheet rock panels, which could not reduce or suppress noise transmission. "The ESS shock tests range from 3 to 6 GRMs at frequencies ranging from 1 to 3 kHz, and the noise output ranged from 70 to 110 dB....We tried to minimize the noise by upgrading the ceilings in adjoining areas. Unfortunately, this tactic didn't help at all," explained Ben D'Cruz, technical services manager at Electronic Systems of Long Island, a division of Smiths Aerospace.

D'Cruz turned to SATOP for help and was referred to a SATOP alliance partner, OSHEX/Environmental Safety Associates. OSHEX recommended that Smiths install panels made of Barrier Septum Composite, a non-reinforced loaded vinyl noise barrier sandwiched between two layers of fiberglass. The panels did the job, and according to D'Cruz, "The resulting noise reduction was immediately apparent in the adjacent work centers." www.spacetechsolutions.com.