RC helicopters

	This RC toy from Woddon of mainland China is fitted with a wireless camera and microphone. The controller has a 2.36-inch TFT screen.

Suppliers of RC vehicles in mainland China and Hong Kong are emphasizing their compliance with standards, particularly those on safety, in light of the recent toy recalls. Most are bent on acquiring ASTM, FCC, CE and RoHS certification, which are required in the US and the EU, the two biggest markets of the line.

At many companies, product structures are being modified to protect children from injury. Sharp points are minimized or eliminated through rounded hoods, blunt parts and well-finished edges. Further, certain components are larger or nondetachable to prevent choking.

For helicopters, coaxial constructions allow stable flight, making the units suitable even for beginners. They are equipped with crash-friendly bodies and rotors that can remain undamaged even after falling from a height of five meters.

Protection against overheating is also being addressed to prevent users from being burned or scalded. This is done primarily through built-in timers, balancers and other devices that prevent overcharging.

Besides preventing accidental harm, suppliers are designing models to pose no hazard to long-term health. In this regard, the raw materials and components being adopted have low or no heavy metal content. For plastic such as ABS, PC, PP and PVC, phthalate-free versions are being used.

To ensure that the manufacturing inputs meet these requirements, samples of these or the finished products are typically sent to SGS and other laboratories for testing. Moreover, makers often require sources of their raw materials and components to present material declarations, test reports or certificates of compliance with international standards.

Kidz Rock Ltd is among the mainland-based companies employing phthalate-free kinds of plastic in their RC vehicles, and it has acquired a certificate attesting to this.

For the batteries of its models, RoHS specifications are followed. Before making a purchase, the company requires the provider of the components to present documents confirming that each material, including the wire and blister packaging, adheres to the standard. Samples also need to be sent to SGS.

At Guangzhou Walkera Technology Co. Ltd, another mainland supplier, RoHS certification is one of the primary considerations in choosing a supplier.

The company requires its raw material and component providers to send their products to SGS for testing before procurement. In addition, it dispatches random samples to SGS and checks through its own laboratories the level of toxic substances or heavy metal content.

ISO 9001:2000-certified Shenzhen Namwah Toys Co. Ltd sources nontoxic ABS from Taiwan. Its models adhere to CE, R&TTE and RoHS standards.

RC toys from CTO Toys Mfg Co. Ltd of Hong Kong meet CE, EN 71 and FCC requirements.

The company sends its products to the CMA Testing and Certification Laboratories. There, units are checked on their acoustics, electrostatic discharge, flammability and heavy metal content.

High-tech features

	Model KD0701 from Kidz Rock of mainland China can run for 15 minutes after being fully charged. The product complies with CE, FCC and RoHS requirements.

Mainland-based Woddon Industrial Ltd has launched a series of off-road buggies equipped with wireless video cameras and microphones. The controllers of the models feature 2.36-inch TFT color displays and triband switches that allow up to three persons to play against one another using built-in infrared lasers and crosshair scopes. Units can be plugged onto TVs and recording devices.

Miniature helicopters for indoor play are also among the company's recent releases. The models are capable of forward, backward, and left and right turn movements.

Zhehua Technology Co. Ltd offers cars with forward, reverse, and left and right turn functions. Some are capable of operating at two speed levels.

In Hong Kong, Henfair Remote Control Technology Research & Development Ltd has released an off-road truck that can run on land and water.
The model features front and rear lights. Music and sounds simulating a car horn and the starting of an engine are optional.

At E-Supply International Ltd, coaxial technology is employed to make RC helicopters capable of stable hover and 3-D flight. The products are offered with 3-channel, gun-type controllers.

To support the performance upgrades that they are making, RC vehicle suppliers are adopting more efficient rechargeable batteries.

Many are opting for NiMH and Li-polymer formulations, as these can store a greater amount of energy compared with an NiCd battery of equal size. Consequently, models are able to operate for longer periods when fully charged. Moreover, this property allows makers to keep the weight of their designs down, enabling them to attain higher speed levels.

In the mainland, Shenzhen Dianzhe Industrial Co. Ltd uses Li-polymer formulations in its latest 2 and 3-channel helicopters. One of these, model 9089, can be operated for 10 to 12 minutes after being charged for 40 minutes.

The company offers units with NiMH batteries as well. Its two-channel model, 9086, can fly for 8 minutes when the NiMH battery has been charged for 2 hours.

At Amax Toys & Models, off-road trucks and buggies are being fitted with Li-polymer packs that allow them to run for 20 minutes when fully charged. Units can also be equipped with NiMH batteries.

Woddon's helicopters can stay in the air for up to 12 minutes after charging the Li-polymer batteries for 40 minutes. The devices have a service life of 300 hours.

HK (Shenzhen) Industries Development Co. Ltd offers designs with NiCd, NiMH or Li-polymer battery packs. The products comply with FCC and ASTM standards.