page 44
Compressor Technology
The Efficiency Workhorse
By Lisa Bonnema, Editor
Although there are several ways air-conditioning and refrigeration OEMs are meeting today’s efficiency demands, compressor manufacturers are working feverishly to design low-cost, high-performance products that exceed market expectations.

page 44
Compressor Technology
Beyond the White Box
By Lisa Bonnema, Editor
Apparently, compressor innovation has no boundaries—literally.

page 44
Compressor Technology
A Tested Solution
By Lisa Bonnema, Editor
When York Unitary Products Group (UPG) was designing its new Affinity™, Echelon™, and Acclimate™ air-conditioning product lines, it was looking for a low-cost compressor that also met its standards for efficiency and reliability.

page 24
Supplier Innovations
Switches & Switching Devices

page 28
Product Review
Whirlpools & Spas
Peruse the latest engineering innovations in whirlpool and spas.

page 42
Guest Editorial
Improving Life and the Environment
by Geraud Darnis, chairman of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute
According to a poll conducted by The Henry Ford Foundation in Dearborn, MI, U.S. and America Online, the top innovation during the last 75 years that most influenced American life was air-conditioning. This poll of more than 2.5 million people demonstrates the impact that our industry continues to have on the way people live and work.

page 60
Zamil Air Conditioners
Success in the Desert
by Adite Chatterjee, India correspondent, APPLIANCE magazine
Thirty years ago, the Al Zamil family ventured into a project that many believed would be a non-starter. Setting up a manufacturing facility for air-conditioners in the middle of a desert in Dammam, Saudi Arabia was not going to be easy.

page 33
The Open Door
A Healthy Opportunity
by Dick Topping, director of Appliance Research, TIAX, LLC
Changing demographics, the health care crisis, a renewed focus on wellness, the U.S. “Boomer” generation retiring in unprecedented numbers all mean that the home as we know it will be very different in the not too distant future.

page 34
Engineering Sensors
Motor Sensor Design with Velocity Feedback
by Roger Baines, engineer, Johnson Electric
A new sensor design provides velocity feedback in small permanent magnet d.c. motors for cordless, battery-powered appliance applications.

page 36
Motor Technology
Hollow Shaft Gearmotors
A new selection of hollow shaft right-angle a.c., d.c., and brushless d.c. (BLDC) gearmotors from Bodine Electric of Chicago, IL, U.S. reportedly save on cost and space.

page 38
Technology Report
Natural Color Matrix LCDs
A new series of TFT LCD modules from Optrex America (Plymouth, MI, U.S.) uses Natural Color Matrix (NCM) technology for truly accurate color representation, optimum color balance, and superior image quality.

page 40
Electronics Report
Ultra-Slim Touch Control
Calw, Germany-based Seuffer has developed STC SLIM, a new ultra-slim touch control technology for glass-ceramic hobs and cookers.

page 51
Designing with Plastics
Breaking the Mold
by Erin Biesen, Assistant Editor
After talking to retailers such as The Home Depot and Lowe’s, Chicago, IL, U.S.-based Wobble Light realized that it would need to produce tens of thousands of its lighting appliance per month to fill order demands.

page 51
Designing with Plastics
A Transparent Change
By Lisa Bonnema, Editor
When Royal Appliance (Glenwillow, OH, U.S.) learned of a clear, cost-effective alternative to polyester, it seamlessly implemented the new material into three of its Dirt Devil floor care designs.

page 53
Designing with Plastics
Improving Dryer Longevity
To improve the performance of its compact clothes dryer, Electrolux turned to Santoprene™ rubber from Advanced Elastomer Systems, an affiliate of ExxonMobil Chemical Company.

page 55
Designing with Plastics
Breathing Easy with Plastic Blends
By Lisa Bonnema, Editor
Bayer MaterialScience’s Bayblend® FR3001 PC/ABS was selected for use in the production of a new device used in the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

page 68
Packaging
Clearing the Way for Success
by Erin Biesen, Assistant Editor
When Whirlpool’s refrigerator plant in Fort Smith, AR, U.S. began a cost and quality project to change its packaging materials, it looked to Huntington Foam’s innovative method for packaging products.

page 30
People
Kevin D'Souza of Desert Spring Products
Kevin D’Souza is no stranger to travel.

page 9
APPLIANCE Line
I Want My DTV
By Lisa Bonnema, Editor
After 2 decades of exhausting work, the DTV transition is almost here, but don’t get too excited. Thanks to the cold feet of broadcasters and cable companies, the picture is still fuzzy as to when TV will finally go all digital.