2008 Winter Symposium: Post-Show Report: Exhibitors

It was a crowded exhibit floor with all 24 booths sold out. Although traffic alternated between busy and quiet as attendees flowed in and out of papers, meetings and seminars, most exhibitors reported good business, particularly those exhibiting for the first time.

Here is a review of the companies, products and services that were on display:

Adhesive Systems

First-time ALMA exhibitor, Adhesive Systems displayed a wide range of adhesives and adhesive dispensing systems for the loudspeaker industry. Dan Alb of Adhesive systems also taught a class on the selection and use of adhesives as part of our training schedule. Adhesive Systems web site.

Cyberbond

Cyberbond exhibited its specialty adhesives for loudspeaker applications, including flexible cyanoacrylates.Typical applications include attaching the voice coil to cone, the cone to the surround and the cone to the dust-cap. Cyberbond web site.

Dr. Kurt Muller GmbH

Dr. Kurt Mueller GmbH (DKM) has over 70 years of experience in development and production of loudspeaker components including cones (paper, metal, fabric, plastic, ceramic, sandwich, etc.), surrounds (rubber, foam, fabric, plastic, etc.), assemblies (cone/surround, dome/surround, etc.), spiders (various fabrics), dome diaphragms (fabric, aluminium, titanium, etc.) and dust caps (paper, metal, fabric, rubber, foam, plastic, etc.) DKM combines consistent, repeatable and reliable processes with extensive knowledge of very specific materials. We assist our customers with continuous R&D activities for all material improvements. Dr. Kurt Muller web site.

Exxon-Mobil Chemical

Santoprene™ thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) are a key brand in the ExxonMobil Chemical portfolio and highly respected among audio and video equipment designers. TPVs provide similar performance and properties to conventional thermoset rubber, but are processed with the speed and efficiency of thermoplastics. Additional advantages include: better dimensional control and product quality; lower weight; and easier recycling of scrap. In audio, Santoprene TPVs are used in speaker surrounds for enhanced frequency response and excellent moisture resistance compared with polyurethane. They are also used for gaskets, spiders, bumpers, magnet covers, feet and soft-touch grips. As the world's largest TPV producer, ExxonMobil is uniquely positioned to support global customers. Santoprene web site.

Ferrotec
Ferrotec demonstrated its range of audio ferrofluids, which includes both synthetic hydrocarbon and ester-based fluids. Ferrofluid enables audio speakers to function more efficiently, with improved audio response and better power handling. For audio speaker manufacturers, Ferrotec ferrofluid also provides significantly better speaker manufacturability for improved quality and higher manufacturing yields. Steve Tararunis and Dr. K. Raj also presented an interesting study on ferrofluid behavior in a speaker gap as part of the papers session. Ferrotec web site.

G.R.A.S. Sound & Vibration

G.R.A.S. has concentrated its efforts and expertise on the development and production of front-end acoustic products. This includes in principle all products necessary for the precise and reliable measurement, and recording of acoustic signals, from the transducer to the input of the A/D converter. The main line of instrumentation includes a broad range of standard measurement microphones and preamplifiers, all designed and manufactured in accordance with international standards. These are complemented by a wide range of more specialized transducers and accessories for applications such as sound intensity microphones, artificial ears, ear and mouth simulators, telephone-testing equipment, HATS, pistonphones and calibrators. G.R.A.S. web site.

Henkel-Loctite

Henkel is a worldwide leader in adhesives, sealants, and surface treatments. Henkel’s Loctite® brand adhesives and equipment have set the standard for superior performance for over fifty years. Henkel offers comprehensive training seminars to deliver total solutions while continuing to develop innovative products to meet the needs of its customers. Henkel-Loctite web site.

K&K International
K&K International offers a range of Acoustic Test Systems for Quality Control designed for testing of loudspeaker units and systems. Demonstrations were given of the P630 test system for testing loudspeakers in a production environment. The P630 measures a range of parameters including Rub & Buz, frequency response, sensitivity, polarity, phase, THD, impedance, resonance, loudness, EBP, Qms, Qts, Re, F (Fres/Q) and a unique check for ambient noise. K&K web site.

Klippel GmbH

Klippel will be demonstrating the new QC System with Motor and Suspension Check. The maximal output of loudspeaker, distortion and motor stability highly depend on the suspension properties which vary significantly from batch to batch due to material uncertainties, climate and storage condition. A new measurement technique is presented which makes it possible to measure voice coil offset in mm, suspension asymmetries in percent and other large signal parameters useful for quality control during end-of-line testing. This data is easy to interpret and directly indicates defects of motor and suspension. Exploiting this information in process control reduces the number of failed units and ensures consistent properties of the manufactured drive units and loudspeaker systems. Klippel web site.

KSC Industries

KSC Industries enjoys a 30-year reputation as a leading US-based OEM supplier of design, development and manufacturing resources for the loudspeaker industry. The Digmoda Professional Power Amplifier Systems with integral D-Pro DSP filters, crossovers and delay enable loudspeaker manufacturers to create and voice self-powered loudspeaker systems. The combination of powerful, easy-to-use D-Pro calibration software, coupled with fully adjustable onboard signal processing, significantly reduces product development time by allowing an OEM manufacturer to eliminate frequency-response, time, phase and power anomalies in real time. Once completed, system adjustments are simply and easily loaded into the plate amplifier’s non-volatile fl ash memory during loudspeaker production. A complete line of Digmoda Plate Amplifiers is available in a variety of power-delivery levels and configurations. KSC web site.

Loudspeaker Components, L.L.C
Loudspeaker Components, L.L.C.demonstrated its extensive range of US-made speaker cone assemblies, paperboard gaskets, dustcaps and spiders. The company supplies all segments of the loudspeaker industry, including OEM Automotive , Aftermarket Automotive, Professional, Multi-Media, Hi-Fi, and musical instruments. Loudspeaker Components uses a range of manufacturing processes in its modern machine shop including thermoforming, injection molding, paper felting, compression forming, cloth impregnation and foam slitting. Loudspeaker Components web site.

Listen, Inc.
Listen, Inc. demonstrated SoundMap™, its new time-frequency analysis software, a stand-alone package for loudspeaker impulse response analysis, Rub & Buzz and loose particle detection, and identification of transient effects in other devices. A paper was also presented on loudspeaker applications of time-frequency analysis. The company also offered visitors a sneak preview of some of the new features coming in Version 8 of SoundCheck, its popular test and measurement system, including expanded printing, improved calibration, and new algorithms which offer even faster analyses. Listen, Inc. web site.

Loudsoft
Loudsoft showed its FINE software packages for the design of all parts of the speaker system: Magnet, Cone, Box and the X-over, as well as the FINELab QC test system. Peter Larsen, the founder of LOUDSOFT, also taught a class on loudspekaer design, which was sold out for the second year running, as part of our training schedule. Loudsoft web site.

NWAA Labs

NWAA Labs showcased the capabilities of its independent laboratory providing product testing of loudspeakers and materials in the audio and acoustics industry. Based just north of Los Angeles, California, the laboratory facilities include a medium-sized anechoic chamber and two reverberation chambers uniquely fitted with the MACH™ Testing system. NWAA Labs web site.

Nuway

Nuway showed a selection from its extensive range of cones & dust caps, domes, enclosure grilles, gaskets, spiders, and surrounds. NuWay is one of the the largest soft-good components manufacturer in North America, with facilities in Antioch, IL, Clinton, N, and Sonora, Mexico. Nuway web site.

Phase Design
Phase Design discussed the services that they offer to the loudspeaker industry. Phase Design offers product and process engineering solutions, manufacturing systems and product development, and ongoing QA inspection services. With a 10,000 square foot facility in Shenzhen China, Phase Design can assist US companies with their Asian operations, offering an on site presence every day at the factory, and with rapid product development, prototyping and manufacturing. Phase Design web site.

Prism Sound
Prism Sound demonstrated the dScope Series III audio analyser, a comprehensive and powerful measurement system for analogue and digital audio generation and analysis. In addition to conventional sinusoidal-type audio measurements, other features include gated impulse response measurements and rub and buzz detection for electroacoustics, sophisticated multi-tone generation and analysis for rapid production-line testing, and advanced scripting capabilities for automation and customisation. Prism Sound web site.

Psychoacoustic Solutions

First-time exhibitor and new ALMA member Psychoacoustic Solutions is debuting three patent pending audio technologies. The new Multi-channel Differential Positional Processor can convert multi-channels 5.1 surround sound into 2 channels so the 5.1 surround sound can be heard with a pair of regular headphones or a pair of speakers. A Multi-channel HD Audio Amplifier is designed for any regular headphones and our Binaural Acoustic Wave Projector. The combination of our projector and amplifier can produce 100 db high and low frequency sound at 3 meters away. The Binaural Acoustic Wave Projector is a single enclosure (16”X9”X6”) that can provide HD stereo or 5.1 surround sound image. Every spot is a “sweet spot” within the listening environment. If you missed these at the show, you can hear a demo of the 5.1 surround sound via the website (link below). Just go to the demo page and use the password 'test1'. Psychoacoustic Solutions web site.

Pacsys

PACsys (PAFEC VibroAcoustics). PACsys Ltd is the developer of the PAFEC VibroAcoustics FEA software suite. Finite elements, Boundary Elements and Wave Envelope Elements provide excellent computational efficiency. The PAFEC solver includes both Frequency Domain and Transient Time Domain, as well as Linear and Non-Linear capabilities. PafLS 1.0: template driven FEA for a variety of loudspeaker design scenarios. Templates exist for Cones and Domes, with “real world” engineering details, essential for accurate vibro-acoustic predictions. PAFEC VibroAcoustics (3D): comprehensive free-form modelling, includes analysis of cone breakup, cavity modes, horn design, edge diffraction, transducer design, radiation from panels, speaker placement, load/displacement curves, design optimization. PAFEC Axis: free-form 2D and Axisymmetric analysis. Pacsys web site.

Sea Galleon
Sea Galleon, a trading company and authorized agent for many world-class loudspeaker components baed in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan exhibited many products from its range. These included: Curv SR Woven PP for speaker cones, Victrex-Aptiv® PEEK Films for diaphragms of higher power handling cellphones and compression drivers, electronic parts such as capacitors & magnetic cores, Teonex PEN films for loudspeaker diaphragms, Santoprene thermoplastic for loudspeaker surround and spider, polyswitch protection devices for loudspeaker, precision dispensers for adhesives and ferrofluids and Beryllium & AlBeMet diaphragms. Sea Galleon web site.

Scandinavian Audio Research

Scandinavian Audio Research demonstrated its SB Acoustics product line, a new range of drivers for the OEM market, designed by some of Scandinavia's top loudspeaker designers. SB Acoustics web site.

STEP Technologies

STEP Technologies demonstrated many of its patented technologies and products, as well as the Redrock Acoustics SpeaD 2.0 - Loudspeaker modeling software. SpeaD is a simulation tool that lets you describe the physical parts of a speaker - coil, motor, and soft parts, and predict the Thiele/Small parameters based on those parts. You can even build a virtual speaker and observe the changes as you vary components. Step Technologies web site

VoiceCoil

VoiceCoil handed out copies of its magazine, the periodical for the Loudspeaker industry, as well as the latest edition of the Loudspeaker Industry Sourcebook, the definitive buying guide for this industry. Also available were copies of Multi-media Manufacturer, a publication which is aimed at AV product designers, manufacturers and QC personnel..VoiceCoil web site

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