DEFENDER Wind Machine
12 August, 2009
With over a 1000 wind machines installed in Marlborough, with maybe as many again in other parts of New Zealand and thousands used worldwide, FMR’s new Defender 50dBa wind machine is creating worldwide interest.
Developed from FMR’s tried and tested Amarillo machine Dr John Pearse who leads the Acoustics Research Group at the University of Canterbury says using a newly developed prediction method, they designed manufactured and then tested a new blade which provides a substantial increase in air movement performance along with much lower noise levels. He said Defender’s new blades are the same length, but have a different shape and rotate more slowly. “The blades are constructed from a carbon fibre composite which provides the required strength while enabling the required blade shape to be obtained.”
Dr Pearse is impressed with the FMR Group’s commitment in addressing something that has been a real issue for vineyards and orchards.
“The blade we have developed not only results in the wind machine being about half as noisy but the sound has a more pleasant character and is consequently less intrusive.”
FMR Group has worked to develop a wind machine which is specifically suited to the requirements of the Pacific region, with the latest model offering a composite engine enclosure, a new computer management system that allows full remote monitoring and control and the new low noise, high performance blade.
The new Defender wind machines will have a number of benefits for those in the rural sector. The performance increase means less machines will be required on each property and in colder areas frost fighting performance will be increased. In addition the low noise output will substantially reduce complaints and issues with neighbouring properties and will allow machines to be installed into areas where traditional designs are too noisy.
FMR Group are preparing for a busy season in 2010 as the company’s new Defender wind machine offers the highest performance and lowest noise output of any machine on the market and demand is very strong.
