Sensing the needs of test engineers (continued)
A continuation of our interview with David Lally, VP of Engineering, PCB Piezotronics, which appeared in the Dec. 2007/Jan. 2008 Viewpoint column.
By Larry Maloney, Contributing Editor -- Test & Measurement World, 12/21/2007
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Q: How is PCB organized to serve its engineering customers?
A: The success of PCB has always been built around total customer satisfaction. If, for any reason, customers are not completely satisfied with a product, they can choose to have it repaired or replaced, or receive a full refund. In addition, our customers have access to technical sales support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, anywhere in the world.
Q: Your firm puts a focus on “total customer satisfaction.” What are the most important programs or services that you rely on to achieve that goal?
A: The key areas in which we achieve total customer satisfaction are in our state-of-the-art, in-house manufacturing capabilities, our engineering expertise, and highly trained customer support staff.
Our quality system is based primarily on the requirements of International Quality Standard ISO 9001:2000. This standard strives for process consistency and provides a means for quality improvement. It covers the entire product cycle, which includes contracting, product design control, and manufacturing process control. In-house calibration of PCB sensors is conducted with full traceability to the National Institute of Standards and Technology [NIST]. In addition, most calibration methods are accredited by A2LA to ISO 17025 standards.
We also continually invest in the vertical integration of manufacturing processes to improve quality and delivery. Our facility includes a state-of-the-art machine shop, hermetic connector, and piezoelectric crystals manufacturing cell, as well as primary calibration and a variety of testing services. These departments allow us to control quality, expedite delivery, and ensure the best possible product for our customers.
Q: What role does your sponsorship of the North American Eagle land speed challenger play in reinforcing your company’s image?
A: PCB sponsors a number of precision racing teams and has traditionally supported the work of engineers in applying sensor technologies in new ways. We have been a sponsor of the NAE team since 2005. We are currently the official sensor and instrumentation sponsor of Andretti Green Racing this season, which set the pace for wins in Indy Racing League in 2007. In addition, we routinely sponsor dozens of university level racing teams, motorsport, and other types of precision racing teams. The SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge is an example of such a sponsorship, and some of our managers make the yearly trip to Michigan Tech to view the various applications of our sensors and instrumentation to the vehicles for faster, quieter, or more efficient operation.
Q: Can you cite some examples of important products introduced in the last year that reflect PCB's market and technology strategy?
A: To provide greater versatility in measurement technology and meet customer demands for greater miniaturization, PCB Piezotronics recently introduced the Model 357A19, a miniature charge output accelerometer for performing shock and vibration studies in space-restricted locations and on small, lightweight structures. The unit occupies a 0.11x0.16x0.27-in. envelope, roughly the size of a pencil tip, and weighs a mere 0.007 oz (0.20 g) for minimal mass loading of a test article. The unit connects to laboratory-style charge amplifiers or inline charge converters, which condition an output signal for recording or analysis. The Model 357A19 features an operating temperature range of –100 to +350°F (–73 to +177°C) and is ideally suited for thermal cycling and vibration screening of circuit boards, disk-drive mechanisms, mobile phones, PDAs, and other electronic devices. Other applications include NVH studies on automotive parts and modal analysis of small structures and satellite components.
To serve customers in the diesel and gas-turbine markets, PCB introduced the Series 175 pressure sensors for monitoring combustion pressure in engines and reciprocating equipment. Proper monitoring of engines and machinery using these sensors allows for extended maintenance intervals, improved fuel efficiency, and lower NOx emissions. Sensors feature piezoelectric sensing elements with fast response times, and are best suited for continuous monitoring or periodic walk-around cylinder balancing. Intrinsically safe versions are available for explosive gas atmospheres.
Still another notable product introduced recently is the Model 482C54, a compact, full-featured, benchtop signal conditioner for IEPE-type and charge-output piezoelectric sensors. The signal conditioner is compatible with accelerometers, microphones, pressure transducers, and force and strain sensors. Additionally, it can accept a direct voltage input signal, allowing it to be used with most voltage sensor signals. The unit has been designed for use in general-purpose vibration testing, automotive and aerospace component testing, and HALT/HASS/ESS applications.
Q: How about key areas of concern in health and safety?
A: Our Larson Davis division recently released products to help customers address the new ANSI Standard A10.46-2007, which provides a comprehensive means for determining risk of hearing loss from overexposure to noise on construction and demolition sites. Our Larson Davis Spark Noise Dosimeters and SoundTrack LxT sound-level meters offer automatic calculation of noise dose and time-weighted average noise levels, as well as maximum and peak exposure levels, which are required to address this standard. Our low-cost Spark noise dosimeters also offer an additional advantage of an optional fixed microphone, for easy conversion from personal dosimetry to area or task-based measurement techniques.
ANSI has also issued S2.70-2006, a standard intended to prevent injuries from powered hand tools used in the construction and demolition industry. To help address this standard, Larson Davis offers the HVM100 Human Vibration Meter, designed to measure hand-arm and whole body vibration. Much like Spark Dosimeters and the SoundTrack LxT, the HVM100 can download data results to a PC, using our Blaze software for noise and vibration exposure analysis and reporting.
Q: Moving forward, how do you see your business growing in domestic markets versus international?
A: We find opportunities in all of our markets worldwide, and discover new applications daily for the implementation of sensor technologies into various markets. Obviously, international market share is important to us, and we continue to grow our worldwide sales and distribution network into new areas. We have focused domestically most of our history, and we still have great opportunities in the US market.
It is difficult to identify just one particular geographic area abroad in which PCB has experienced the most growth. We have recently opened a number of direct sales offices in international locations to support the long-term needs of customers in those areas, including the UK, Italy, Sweden, France, Germany, China, and Japan. We will continue to build a direct presence in both domestic and international markets, where our customers have expressed a need for targeted direct support.
Read the first part of this interview.
