"Workstations" are high-performance computers for professional use that are widely used for CAD, graphic design, advanced technical calculations, clerical work, etc. To satisfy the requirements of many users, there is an increased demand for high "stability" and "reliability" that can withstand harsh operating environments, such as long hours of continuous use, high scalability, and the implementation of high-performance CPUs that achieve high-speed processing.
In the past, because they were UNIX-based and expensive, they were machines that were out of reach for the average user, but in recent years, with the spread of Windows-based "PC workstations," they have become familiar to many users, from corporate offices to stores and SOHOs.
Company J is an IT equipment manufacturer and information service company involved in the development and manufacturing of computer systems, peripheral devices, and software products. The company had begun development of a new PC workstation and had decided to adopt a new high-performance CPU for its next-generation model to meet market needs, such as processing large amounts of data and using applications with high computational loads.
However, in devices with high density packaging, heat generation can lead to slower processing speeds, malfunctions, and even breakdowns. In order to maximize the CPU's performance and improve the stability and reliability of the device, high cooling performance is essential.
The company reviewed the cooling performance during the development of the current model and installed two "40mm square x 28mm thick" type fans. This specification should have been sufficient to meet the cooling performance required for the next model. However, the company will be forced to significantly review the specifications of the cooling fans.
Users often complain that the current model is too noisy and disrupts their work, and there have also been cases where resonance amplified the vibration noise depending on where the unit was installed.
For this reason, J Company considered "low noise" and "low vibration" to be issues in the development of the next model. The problem was how to achieve these requirements while maintaining high cooling performance. Mr. D, the manager of the development department at the company, said the following.
"PC workstations have become familiar to users, and are increasingly being installed in offices rather than in dedicated server rooms. For this reason, in addition to high performance, it is extremely important that they are quiet enough to not be unpleasant to the ears of users. To be able to compete with our competitors, it was essential that we make our next-generation model quieter."
To overcome these challenges with the current fan, they determined that they would need to make significant changes to the layout of the component parts and improve the rigidity of the device to reduce noise caused by resonance. However, given the development schedule, this was not possible, and Mr. D and his team were faced with a major obstacle.
*For more information on fan noise, see Knowledge Fan Basics: Fan Noise and Sound Pressure Levels
A few days later, a sales representative from SANYO DENKI CO., LTD. visited the company and conducted detailed interviews with Mr. D and his team, and summarized the key points for reducing noise.
"To achieve lower noise without compromising cooling performance while maintaining the same size (40mm square, 28mm thick), we needed to review all of the components that make up the fan and develop a new fan. However, we couldn't change Company J's development schedule, so we proposed changing the fan size." (Sales representative SANYO DENKI CO., LTD.)
Company J was proposed to use one "60mm square, 25mm thick" DC Cooling Fan instead of the existing two "40mm square, 28mm thick" DC Cooling Fan. After repeated trial and error, they reviewed the layout of each part in the next workstation and found that they could install a fan up to 60mm square.
SANYO DENKI CO., LTD. immediately delivered evaluation samples of the 60mm square DC Cooling Fan to Company J, who then began evaluating the fan.
We verified that the fan worked as expected by testing a prototype, and by providing sufficient cooling performance with just one fan, we were able to successfully overcome the challenge of reducing noise and vibration.
"The fan characteristics were better than we expected, and there were no problems with noise or vibration, so it delivered the results we hoped for. As a result, we were able to shorten the development schedule. In addition, switching noise was significantly reduced. With the current fan, a buzzing magnetic noise was generated when rotating at low speeds, but this new fan is equipped with a soft switching IC, so there were no problems." (Mr. D)
By installing the fan, we were able to achieve an airflow of 0.58m 3 /min with one fan, up from 0.48m 3 /min with the current two fans. At the same time, we were able to reduce noise from 33db (A) to 24db (A). We were also able to reduce not only the wind noise from the fan, but also the vibration noise caused by resonance with the case. Mr. D summed up the introduction of the "DC Cooling Fan" as follows:
"24 dB is quieter than the sound of clothes rustling. I was surprised at how quiet it was. Compared to previous fans, we were able to reduce noise by 30%. Moreover, even though we only have one unit, the air volume has increased by 0.10 mm3/min. Also, by going from a two-unit configuration to a single unit, we were able to reduce costs."
The company's products, which have succeeded in improving performance while satisfying user needs, have established a market advantage and are expected to further expand their market share in the future.
release date:
Aiming to be the world's No. 1 in manufacturing
Technical capabilities that enable advanced customization
Our 100th anniversary soon
Global Network
