ACX Technology Enables World's First Electric Snowboard: The K2 Electra-series.CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1997--Active Control eXperts Inc. (ACX ACX Available Chemicals Exchange ACX Advanced Combat Experimental ACX Asynchronous Cross Connect ) announces the application of its revolutionary piezoelectric The property of certain crystals that causes them to produce voltage when a mechanical pressure is applied to them such as sound vibrations. This technique is used to build crystal microphones, phonograph cartridges and strain gauges, all of which turn mechanical movement into voltage. vibration control technology to snowboards. The technology allows a significantly smoother and faster ride for the high-speed, all-mountain boarder. Developed in conjunction with K2 Snowboards This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. , ACX's Piezo "Piezo", derived from the Greek piezein, which means to squeeze or press, is a prefix used in:
ACX's Piezo Control technology is ideal for controlling vibration in high-performance snowboards for several reasons. First, because piezos convert vibrations into electrical energy, specific vibration frequencies can be targeted and damped electronically. Second, ACX's unique piezo packaging technology allows K2 snowboard designers to integrate the dampers directly into the snowboard. These two factors allowed K2 to create a snowboard with superior vibration control that is easy to manufacture. Based on detailed on-slope testing, ACX determined the frequencies of major vibration modes in the snowboard and chose to focus vibration reduction efforts on those which are largest and most noticeable to riders (the "second mode.") Laboratory data simulating boarding conditions show that the piezo damper reduces the vibration amplitude by 80 percent. Subsequent on-slope testing by experienced riders confirmed in every case that the piezo-damped boards provided a significantly smoother and more comfortable ride. "This product introduction should generate a huge market response," said Adam Bogue, ACX's vice president of marketing. "It's the first application of electronic vibration control to snowboards. The beauty of the technology is that it allows us to nail specific modes electronically, with no batteries required. The faster you go, the better it works." Piezoceramic dampers work by converting mechanical vibration Mechanical vibration The continuing motion, repetitive and often periodic, of a solid or liquid body within certain spatial limits. Vibration occurs frequently in a variety of natural phenomena such as the tidal motion of the oceans, in rotating and stationary energy into electrical energy. This energy is then applied across a "shunt To divert, switch or bypass. " circuit, which dissipates the energy as heat, removing the energy from the board and reducing vibration. "There's even a little LED on the device that lights when the board is vibrating vibrating, v using quivering hand motions made across the client's body for therapeutic purposes. , so you know it's working," said Bogue. Cameron Andrus, senior design engineer for K2 Snowboards, commented, "The snowboard industry has literally hundreds of competitors slugging it out with fairly similar technology. With ACX's electronic shock absorber shock absorber, device for reducing the effect of a sudden shock by the dissipation of the shock's energy. On an automobile, springs and shock absorbers are mounted between the wheels and the frame. on our boards, K2 clearly stands alone as the technology leader. Many professional riders say it's the best board they've ever used." ACX's President & CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , Kenneth B. Lazarus, Ph.D., reflected, "Our relationship with K2 Snowboards follows our string of recent successes with the K2 Smart Ski and Smart Shock for mountain bikes. The Smart Ski is now the no. 1 selling ski in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. , and the Smart Shock was recently voted `Best of Show' from among 900 exhibitors at the prestigious Interbike trade show. We expect to bring the same level of success to K2 Snowboards. These successes demonstrate the broad application potential of piezoelectric technology and the large market opportunities for ACX products, both in the sports equipment industry and other high-volume commercial markets." -0- Active Control eXperts Inc. is a leading supplier of smart material and active control components and systems, including piezoelectric actuators, sensors, vibration suppression and motion control systems. K2's snowboard division has flourished within a fast-growing market, thanks to its wide variety of board models and innovative technologies. CONTACT: Active Control eXperts Inc. Adam Bogue, 617/577-0700 http://www.acx.com or K2 Hayley Martin, 800/972-4038 ext. 163 http://www.k2snowboards.com |
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