How does it work?

The MB series units use effective 253nm UV-C band ultraviolet light to attack and kill germs and viruses present upon any surface that light can penetrate.

Any object exposed to that light will become free of contamination.

The intensity of light in the MB series units is many times higher than is required to destroy most pathogens, this allows for effective functioning even when there are issues with shaded surface parts of the subject being treated. It would require the parts to be many times darker than the general exposure to fail to be adequately treated.

Such units in a far more fragile format have been used effectively and regularly in laboratory and healthcare environments for many years. Similar systems are also used on factory production lines making sterile products for healthcare. UV-C is a tried and tested effective sterilisation method that has least risks of incorrect application, therefore ensuring the security of the user.

Why an MB series unit?

The MB series unit is the first, original unit specifically designed with the needs of the event production industry in mind. Until the development of the original MB72 there were no units on the market tailored for the needs of the AV industry.

The MB series units are designed to present items to the light source in a way that effectively exposes as many surfaces as possible and ensures the highest risk surfaces will be adequately exposed.

Unlike laboratory equipment which is designed for skilled users who decide the exposure levels depending on clinical needs, units for the AV industry need pre-set exposure times so that busy event operatives cannot fail to adequately expose the items. Exposure times that take into account the nature and complexities of the surfaces of our equipment.

MB series units are robust, built for the kind of life that equipment in a production environment can expect. Our large units are made from 18mm Baltic birch plywood, the same material that touring loudspeakers have been made from for decades, a material that stands being loaded in and out of trucks on a daily basis in all conditions. Our touring versions are additionally flight-cased and shock-mounted for increased durability.

The fully flight-cased MB72T is built to handle the rigours of the road.

Designed by experts in touring hardware the MB72T is over-engineered to withstand day-in day-out loading into venues and trucks.

Ideal for rental houses and touring companies the MB72T enables us to keep our workers and clients safe wherever we may go.

The MB72T features shock-mounted light sources in our own in-house designed suspension system, extra light source physical protection by steel bump-bars, locking clips for transportation of trays and frames within the chamber, internal work light, and reinforced electronics mounting.

Additionally the whole unit is fitted, shock mounted, into a high quality professional touring grade  flight-case

Why UV-C?

While there are various alternatives to UV-C light to kill pathogens none are viable in a fast moving production environment.

Alcohols require longer exposure time than it can remain on a surface before evaporating, unless it is suspended in a gel.

Thermal treatment needs to be slow to avoid damaging the equipment with high temperatures As there is a very narrow window between the temperature needed to kill pathogens and the glass transition point of plastics, where they lose structural rigidity, it is extremely tricky to get right.

Chemicals in solution such as chlorine bleach are very effective, but will damage sensitive electronic devices and cosmetic finishes as it is highly corrosive by nature and cannot be prevented from entering where it should not go.

UV-C exposure has proven to be the only truly viable proposition safe for both people and equipment for use in event environments.

Designed specifically for AV industry needs.

The Phoenix project started from zero when Newell Acoustic Engineering were approached by the technical department of a large national theatre to advise upon possible solutions to stage equipment sterilisation. It immediately became obvious that there were no safe practical solutions to keep multi-artist events running in a way that would adapt to the new realities of events in a post-Covid world.

At that point it was suggested that maybe we could build a solution to address the needs of the theatre and the larger AV industry.

Newell Acoustic Engineering was one of the last old-school electro-acoustic engineering companies still operating globally where we still custom engineer many bespoke items that we cannot obtain for our projects. As a result we had a full modern development and fabrication shop in our facilities, we had invested heavily in modern disruptive technology that allowed previously unthinkable levels of manufacturing capability. things like small scale CNC routers, laser cutters, 3D print farms, electronics prototyping software, and the latest CAD packages that can integrate all aspects of design into one environment.

This technology enabled us to go from the first conversation to a 100% bespoke machine in just three weeks. every aspect of the MB72 is custom engineered, from the controller PCBs down to the door handles. Everything was developed and designed by our own teams so we kept absolute control over the parameters we needed to provide a safe effective solution.

Custom designed wide opening external door hinges and mechanism free magnetic door closures ensure that there are no small inaccessible areas that can't be easily cleaned.

Custom lamp holders ensure that the lamps are adequately protected in transit and use, ensuring long lamp life.

The Bespoke CNC machined cabinet ensures easy transportation of the unit and the ruggedness that the industry needs.

Our all aluminium interior is designed for optimum light diffusion and reflection to ensure all objects are correctly exposed.

Great in-depth studies were carried out into the nature of UV-C sterilisation and exposure rates and the MB series units were designed to effectively function within these parameters.

With a nominal exposure cycle rate of well in excess of 200mw/cm2, the MB72 is measured to be able to kill pathogens such as the SARS Cov-2 virus (which requires between 10 and 20mw/cm2/sec to kill) in a few seconds at full exposure. A normal exposure cycle of 4 minutes therefore ensures that adequate surface exposure is always achieved in shaded areas.

Technical Specifications.

Dimensions.                                   63cm x 63cm x 73cm

Voltage                                           220V

Light source                                  2 x 36W TUV Low pressure gas UVC 250nm

Microcontroller                              ATMEGA 8 bit Arduino platform – Code, open source.

Ballast                                            Electronic instant start

Cabinet material                            18mm Baltic Birch Plywood

Safety mechanisms                       Door, hard kill switch, positionally accurate.

Exposure cycle                              Standard exposure 2 minutes, User option alternatives.

Item support                                  Optional standard cassettes, or custom support systems.

User control                                   Single button start, manual door operation.

Indicators                                       Door Closed, Running, Cycle complete.

UV cycle radiated power                200mW / CM2 or higher

Lamp life                                         9000hr. = 270,000 cycles.

Weight                                            42 - 48 kg depending upon internal configuration

Operating temperature                   -10 to +60 degree C (keep out of direct sunlight)

UV Spectrum