Refining a Superior Drying Apparatus: Let's Put a New Spin on Dehydrating
Kintronic Labs' Game-Changing Dehydrator, the LAB Series
Famed for their top-notch manufacturing, Kintronic Labs doesn't shy away from creating innovative solutions for industry needs. This approach led to the creation of the LAB Series dehydrators, which stand out from competitors thanks to their innovative designs and additional features.
Take the LAB4.50 model for example. Peer beneath the hood, and you'll find a unique setup of two alternating diaphragm pumps. When one chamber is active, the desiccant in the other is regenerated through heating. Electronic pulse width modulation (PWM) controls both pumps equivalently to the real-time leakage rate, ensuring smooth operation while eliminating the loud noises associated with traditional piston-type dehydrators.
One advantage of Kintronic's dehydrators is their comprehensive instruction manuals, complete with color pictorial documents detailing internal wiring and hose connections, so there's no guesswork involved.
Kintronic offers two LAB models, with the smaller LAB4.50 being suitable for most broadcast facilities. Before considering a new tower or transmission line, give this cutting-edge dehydrator a thought.
Engineering Legends
Are you looking to impress your colleagues with some technical lingo? Check out Frank Hertel's list of engineering terms we shared recently! One term that caught the attention of Archie Simpson was, "The failure was corrected using percussive maintenance." (Translation: "I hit it, and it started working.") At Archie's college station, they called it "impact engineering."
Sharing another engineering anecdote, Archie remembers the on-air board at his station, constructed in-house and christened the HFOF-18, a nod to its swift construction - "Hell Froze Over First." This board needed occasional persuasion to function, often becoming loose and taking the station off the air. There was a magic spot on the board that, when struck with a fist, would bring it back online – a temporary fix, albeit effective.
An engineer friend of Archie's managed to avoid a lengthy commute by resorting to an unconventional yet effective solution. His station would occasionally go off the air, and the remote control couldn't bring it back on. So, the engineer drove an hour and a half to the transmitter site, only to find nothing amiss after two hours of investigation. Out of exasperation, he hit the transmitter, and it sprang back to life. Realizing he might face this issue again, he installed a large solenoid on the side of the transmitter and connected it to the remote control. He then programmed the startup instructions to include a smack from the solenoid whenever the station dropped off the air. The solenoid went on to save him an arduous three-hour round trip to the transmitter site.
Keep Your Control Panels Slick
Veteran broadcaster and manufacturer Harold Hallikainen found value in Roy Becker's tip about using ASA filament and a 3-D printer to create custom plastic signs for transmitter sites in the latest issue.
Harold proposed a cost-effective and stylish alternative for engraved rack panels. He suggests using a black anodized rack panel and taking it to a local awards and trophy shop, where they can engrave the required lettering for a customized, professional look.
Paul Sagi, broadcasting from Kuala Lumpur, shared a practical tip about cleaning faders in radio consoles. Some slide potentiometers have plastic elements vulnerable to certain cleaning solvents, so be mindful of the cleaners you choose. Paul has found success in using dishwashing liquid and distilled water as a safe and effective cleaning agent for these components.
Feel free to submit your Workbench ideas to [email protected] for SBE recertification credit.
[Read Another Workbench by John Bisset]
- In the realm of radio technology, Kintronic Labs' latest innovation is a data-and-cloud-computing gadget, the LAB Series, which serves as a transmitter, broadcasting essential data to connected facilities.
- Frank Hertel, an engineering legend, once shared a term that circulated amongst broadcasting peers, "The failure was corrected using percussive maintenance," a humorous way of saying that a problem was fixed by applying a good old-fashioned whack.
- Amidst the futuristic advancements, Kintronic Labs also highlighted the importance of traditional mechanisms in their manufacturing processes. To optimize the control panels, they recommend using ASA filament and a 3-D printer to create custom plastic signs for transmitter sites, adding a touch of style to technology.
