Accessible Test

Digital Flashcard Duplication Project

(Special Project)
Technical Research spent time in March and April working with Operations Engineering and other production support departments to create a working duplication line for the new NLS digital flashcard talking book program. Staff of Technical Research assisted the Operations Engineering department by designing and fabricating mechanical and electro-mechanical components of the production line for digital flashcard duplication. Most of the time spent on this project has been outside of regular working hours with time spent on this project charged to the Maintenance Department of APH. Technical Research has made important contributions to this project. This project is vital to the continuance of the APH Talking Book Department. The NLS talking book program has evolved from records to cassettes and now to digital flashcards as the medium for playback of Talking Books. At the forefront of digital duplication development, APH is able to set the standards for the new program, much in the same manner that APH has always set the standard for record and cassette duplication. Work on this project is nearing completion. However, Technical Research continues to help as needed on this project.

Jump Rope for Fitness Kit

(Product Maintenance)
Technical Research was made aware that a number of the spools containing the rope continue to come in short. The specified length is 500 feet per spool. When the spool contains less than that specified the number of feet, Production is not able to complete the number of kits scheduled for production. Technical Research first verified that the device that is measuring the rope as it’s cut to length was working properly and then notified Purchasing to contact the vendor again about this issue.

Lead Content in Products/Child Safety

Technical Research spent a good part of February and March researching a notice received by an ex-officio trustee who had an outside firm testing their facility and equipment for lead content. The trustee noted that the APH “grandstand” had come back testing positive for lead content. Despite repeated efforts to contact the trustee to gain more information on the particulars of their test and results the trustee could not be reached. Technical Research then took the various components of a grandstand and submitted them for testing at an independent local laboratory. While the testing was being conducted, Technical Research began investigating current standards for child product safety regarding lead levels (see previous entry on CPSIA). It was discovered that standards are sketchy at best and are currently in a state of flux. Most of the standards applied to lead based paint and actual lead metal parts used in toys and children’s jewelry. There were currently no definitive standards for lead content in plastics used in toys. It was also discovered there are two main standards: total lead content and total “bioavailable” or “leachable” lead. The initial tests run were for bioavailable lead. The laboratory’s allowable standard for the testing was shown as 5ppm. European standards, which have been adopted by U.S. toy makers on a voluntary basis, are currently 90ppm. All pieces to the grandstand tested negative for lead except the plastic used to make the stand. It tested at 0.9ppm―well under either standard. Technical Research found a statement by a CSPC (consumer product safety commission) official that stated the lead in plastics was not readily bioavailable and not a major concern for their division. The most common total lead content standards were at a 600ppm allowable level. Technical Research had more samples of the Sintra brand foamed PVC plastic tested for total lead content in addition to the tests run for bioavailable lead. Tests showed 568ppm. This was within limits but only 32ppm below allowable standards. Even with all the evidence supporting the use of lead in plastics so long as it was contained within the plastic, Technical Research recommended the company move away from Sintra brand materials to other brands that do not contain lead. Technical Research worked with Purchasing and Production to identify all areas where this material was being used. Technical Research obtained test swab kits to detect the presence of lead. These swabs would turn pink or red when they came in contact with materials containing lead. At least one sample from every single sized piece of foamed PVC material was tested to show which pieces were Sintra brand, having lead content, and which ones were another brand that did not use lead in the materials. Technical Research worked with Purchasing and the vendor and located a similar material (brand name ExCel) that will be used in all future production. In addition, all shipments in-process of Sintra brand materials were stopped at the vendor and replaced with ExCel material. Technical Research gave a full report to the Director of Research, the Vice-President of Research and Advisory Services, and the company President. In addition, Technical Research helped compose a statement the Vice-President used in his March monthly electronic newsletter to ex-officio trustees. It was decided not to recall materials already out in the field containing Sintra based on the facts noted above. However, all future production will be run using ExCell or other brands of foamed PVC materials to avoid the slightest appearance of lead in a product. Technical Research continues to attempt to monitor the development of regulations.

Light Box

(Product Redesign)
Technical Research has developed a new design for the full-size light box. Circuitry has been developed that could enable the light box to run using a 28VDC adapter rather than the current 120VAC mode of operation. This would lower the voltage in the unit itself and eliminate the requirement for UL testing of the light box unit. The adapter itself will be UL tested by the manufacturer and arrive at APH pre-certified for UL compliance. The unit is anticipated to be somewhat brighter and lighter in weight. In addition to product improvement, one of the goals in re-designing the unit is to simplify the assembly process, specifically the wiring of the unit. Currently one unit has been fabricated and reviewed by the Project Leader and the Director of Research. Five more units will be fabricated to test the circuit design and the circuit’s ability to withstand physical abuse. Once these tests are successfully completed, bid packets will be drawn up to send to perspective vendors.