TechDas Air Force One

[rockitman]

If it holds air, i suppose it could be filled with gaseous nitrogen. New tweak ?

 

[MylesBAstor]

This may be stupid, but why don't these devices, like turntables and active suspension, use Nitrogen like we use for our equipment in the hospital?

Convenience? Plus who wants a tank of nitrogen hanging around the house? Also gas tanks can be especially hazardous, turning into missiles and going through walls even, if knocked over and the valve breaks; that why, at least in NYC, the FD requires all gas tanks to be secured fastened to a wall, etc.

How would N2 though on the inside prevent the breakdown/drying out/oxidation of the rubber from O2 on the outside?

You don't have to worry about moisture and drying out seals.

But the N2 has to be ordered that way. Normally, N2 comes with oxygen mixed in; when we performed ultra-low O2 experiments in the lab, we had to specially and specifically order N2 with <10 ppm O2. Otherwise, it comes with much higher O2 and water content.

 

[garylkoh]

This may be stupid, but why don't these devices, like turntables and active suspension, use Nitrogen like we use for our equipment in the hospital? You don't have to worry about moisture and drying out seals. The large tables in the labs use it and I think they even use it in tires as well.

It's not stupid. It's a good idea. I have nitrogen in the tyres of my car. However, can you imagine audiophiles having tanks of compressed gas in their audio room? I'd vote for nitrous dioxide myself

 

[garylkoh]

No I'm serious. It is something that is used in human behavior modification. If you look at the Wiki piece and then were to read the book, you would see they are really one and the same. People often resist large changes in behavior; the belief is that the challenge is so great as to invoke the brain's fight or flight response (primitive brain). The book talks about how to reduce the challenge and make it easier for people to change their behavior/habits.

Ha, yes. We used to teach that as it was more difficult to convince management to make big changes than it was to teach them continuous improvement.

 

[garylkoh]

Here's the official word......

Dear Distributors and Friends,

Please find attached the revised Mechanism Figure of Air Force One.

As you may know, the suspension of Air Force One has been improved. It is now an all-air suspension. The Mechanism Figure was updated to reflect this change. All Air Force One units shipped since May 2013 have the latest suspension.

The details of the new suspension are as follows:

We always thought that air provides best suspension. So we made the first suspension as an air suspension. However, due to the internal structure of the air suspension, the amount of the air that can be filled in the suspension was limited. Also, with this structure, there was a small problem of air leakage. So we changed the suspension to air/liquid hybrid suspension.

After that, we designed a new internal structure of air suspension. Now we can fill much more air in the new aluminum air chamber inside the suspension. The amount of the air in the new air suspension is three times (3x) compared with the first air suspension.

As a result, the ability of the suspension to absorb resonance of low frequency is better than before (if you knock the surface of the turntable, you will only hear very small noise.) This leads to better sound quality.

There is no change with the external appearance of the suspension.

Although it will be necessary to fill air to the suspension at setup and add some air once every few weeks as explained in the manual attached to the turntable, we are sure that you and your customer will be satisfied with the improvement.

Also, it is possible to update the old suspension to the new suspension. The upgrade kit will be provided as follows:

- If you can send us back the replaced insulators freight prepaid and if they are in good condition without scratches or damages, we will offer you one upgrade kit for one Air Force One unit for JPY 190,000.

- If you cannot send us back the replaced insulators, we will offer you one upgrade kit for one Air Force One unit for JPY 380,000.

 

[microstrip]

This may be stupid, but why don't these devices, like turntables and active suspension, use Nitrogen like we use for our equipment in the hospital? You don't have to worry about moisture and drying out seals. The large tables in the labs use it and I think they even use it in tires as well.

In order to store and use pressurized nitrogen is closed spaces you should have leak sensors and safety systems - release of nitrogen gas into an enclosed space can displace oxygen and represents an asphyxiation hazard. There are reports of people who have died due to nitrogen poisoning.

 

[b3344]

i feel a little bit sad about this change because my AFO is gel and air version actually at first i order air version because i have micro seiki BA600 air base and i know how great work . when delivery my dealer say techdas has change to gel and air. i feel disappointed . but have to accept it and now it change to air like what i want in the beginning . and my dealer say if i want to change need to pay for 6000-7000 usd !!! i think techdas should have some replacement upgrade policy .

thanks

ps i don't like gel version because it move like jacker!!!! hoo hoo hoo move like jacker... ( turntable always trun around and go to one side not central of the leg!!!)

 

[b3344]

This may be stupid, but why don't these devices, like turntables and active suspension, use Nitrogen like we use for our equipment in the hospital? You don't have to worry about moisture and drying out seals. The large tables in the labs use it and I think they even use it in tires as well.

they have using air in 2 part
1 is platter it use small pump just blow the air so air just out and no moisture or if it happen it will gone by few second because of the heat of the pump
2 leg it use bicycle pump and a few air that will not cause moisture too !!!

 

[garylkoh]

i feel a little bit sad about this change because my AFO is gel and air version actually at first i order air version because i have micro seiki BA600 air base and i know how great work . when delivery my dealer say techdas has change to gel and air. i feel disappointed . but have to accept it and now it change to air like what i want in the beginning . and my dealer say if i want to change need to pay for 6000-7000 usd !!! i think techdas should have some replacement upgrade policy .

thanks

ps i don't like gel version because it move like jacker!!!! hoo hoo hoo move like jacker... ( turntable always trun around and go to one side not central of the leg!!!)

B3344, it looks like TechDAS is offering the upgrade (with the return of the old suspension) at practically their cost to manufacture (JPY 190,000 = USD$1,900) I can not imagine that is is cheap machining to such a fine level. Even without return, it is only JPY380,000. Since you're handy with upgrading old Micro Seiki, and you have two AF1, you could send them one suspension, upgrade, and then upgrade the other one. Or, upgrade one, send them the old suspension back to get a discount on the second upgrade, and then return the second old suspension for a rebate. They are reasonable people, and at the pricing they are offering, I don't see them thinking that this is to make more money out of the old owners.

 

[garylkoh]

In order to store and use pressurized nitrogen is closed spaces you should have leak sensors and safety systems - release of nitrogen gas into an enclosed space can displace oxygen and represents an asphyxiation hazard. There are reports of people who have died due to nitrogen poisoning.

The air we breath is 72% nitrogen.

 

[JackD201]

Gary posted "nipples".....Harharhar!

Any dentists around? I'd rather have a tank of NOS and some party balloons.

 

[XV-1]

When I had my VPI HRX, putting air into the bladders every few weeks was a royal PITA as they used to leak at different rates.

I hope the TechDas is a bit more stable and user friendly when "airing" up every few weeks.

 

[MylesBAstor]

When I had my VPI HRX, putting air into the bladders every few weeks was a royal PITA as they used to leak at different rates.

I hope the TechDas is a bit more stable and user friendly when "airing" up every few weeks.

That's why one had an air pressure gauge

 

[b3344]

When I had my VPI HRX, putting air into the bladders every few weeks was a royal PITA as they used to leak at different rates.

I hope the TechDas is a bit more stable and user friendly when "airing" up every few weeks.

my micro seiki BA600 air base 30 year old after replace old air hose can stay a year with out refill air for afo i'm sure that they have more expert on it. picture show BA 600 without air hose

ps thank for upgrade info mr koh , the thailand can't sent afo unit to japan it will cost double tax (37% / time) . so my dealer say i may need upgrade myself but after see it need to wire air hose under base . i'm not sure that my afo will have a hold for all air hose. and my logo plate also can't pull out !!! if you know that can user upgrade will be good for me

 

[rockitman]

Gary wrote above that the air-loaded-gel-filled bladder is the latest but the problem has always been the bladder. So perhaps there is no bladder in this latest design. Do you know how the new design gets around the bladder issue? If there is no bladder, how are the air and gel contained in the suspension? I'm curious because the air bladders are a persistent issue with the isolators in the Vibraplane and they are very expensive to replace. My new units don't have issues yet, but my older one is not quite as stable.

Re-reading Gary's original post on page 65, it appears the new foot design is an air piston rather than a bladder. I like that idea better as a bladder would deteriorate over time. The piston probably has a seal that may need replacement after years of use. This is of course speculation on my part.

 

[JackD201]

The AFO has alignment grooves on the pistons so you don't need a gauge. Just pump it past the line and release pressure via the front nipples until they line up. Use the top bubble level to see if you are in the ball park then use the height adjustment knobs to fine tune.

The only hassle is the supplied air pump and its lock. If you don't fit it right you will be expending a LOT of useless effort. Fit correctly and locked pumping air is easy. If you find yourself growing your biceps that means you haven't locked in the nozzle correctly. Unlock, insert, lock, pump.

 

[b3344]

actually techdas should put automatic pump with gyro scope system when open afo will start level up and automatic level balance . or other when you play hiphop song afo will shake it self up and down like hiphop car. haha

 

[mep]

actually techdas should put automatic pump with gyro scope system when open afo will start level up and automatic level balance . or other when you play hiphop song afo will shake it self up and down like hiphop car. haha

You are a funny guy B3344. I do 'get' you in a way that eludes some others. Too bad we live so far apart because I do believe we would have some good laughs despite my limited ability to speak Thai and your much better ability to speak English. Sawadee cup!

 

[b3344]

wow sawadee kub !!! most thai guy love fun so we love music . world so close by internet . so we can share good laughs ...haha

 

[mep]

You made me laugh just reading your post. Where is our Singha beer? I'm ready to roll!