CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
24 May 2007
Implementation Investments
MIRA Selects LMS Test.Lab for Faster and More In-Depth Vehicle NVH Testing
LMS announced that automotive engineering specialists MIRA Ltd. has selected LMS Test.Lab for vehicle noise and vibration testing and development that it performs for automotive manufacturers worldwide. Major OEM's and suppliers send components, subsystems, and whole vehicles, including complete vehicle design and development programs to UK-based MIRA. MIRA continues to support its comprehensive range of design and development services with ongoing investments in the most advanced technology available.
The NVH test systems deployed at MIRA consist of the LMS Test.Lab software suite and multiple LMS SCADAS III front-end units with a total of 120 data acquisition channels. The systems enable MIRA to compress NVH testing turnaround times for lab tests conducted in the company's facilities as well as mobile data acquisition on MIRA's test tracks located on the same site.
NVH Engineer Mark Randle, a MIRA technical staff member using the LMS system, reports that the main advantages in moving to LMS Test.Lab are the portability and immediate results provided by the system. "Our previous system was cumbersome and time-consuming to use, when considering the task from the point of acquiring the data to the point of observing a result." he explains. "Also, we could only take blind measurements and view the results after lengthy post-processing of raw data back in the office."
"Now with LMS Test.Lab, we easily set up the briefcase-size system in the passenger seat and a template guides us through the test setup. As the data is being acquired, on-line monitoring during signature acquisition gives immediate feedback through a range of on-line displays This on-line validation lets us know right away if tests are satisfactory and if appropriate, allows us to effect a change to the vehicle and quantify it's impact within minutes.."
Randle notes that after data is acquired, he can easily scroll through results and in a few seconds identify parts of the test where problems may have occurred. More detailed investigations can involve displaying operational deflection shapes to show the dynamic behavior of the vehicle and sub-systems during operating conditions. Further investigation in a laboratory environment can include impact testing using LMS Test.Lab to determine resonances of individual components and assemblies. The acquired data can be used in the LMS Test.Lab Modal Analysis and LMS PolyMAX software to determine natural resonances in the vehicle or its sub-systems. LMS Test.Lab software is also employed by MIRA to carry out Transfer Path Analysis (TPA), identifying the contributions to interior noise from various sources.
In addition to problem solving and troubleshooting, MIRA finds LMS Test.Lab of particular value in performing benchmark tests for competitive analysis as well as for target setting in the development of new vehicles. In this target setting process, interior noise targets for the vehicle can be cascaded down to provide subsystem and component level targets.
"The operational improvements delivered by LMS Test.Lab enable us to work efficiently with customers in the development of optimal solutions to their engineering problems" says Randle. He also notes that the reporting capabilities of LMS Test.Lab are a step forward in saving time generating reports and data packs. Active plots can be readily inserted into Word and PowerPoint documents when preparing customer documents and presentations. Freeware available at the LMS website allows any LMS Test.Lab user to manipulate these active pictures for the purposes of re-scaling, applying cursors and even viewing mode shape deflections.
"With these powerful testing, post-processing, analysis, and reporting capabilities, LMS Test.Lab goes far beyond our traditional data recording systems," says Randle. "The system is a powerful tool that enables us to efficiently perform in-depth noise and vibration engineering. The improvements in efficiency are achieved without losing the functionality of our previous installation LMS Test.Lab is key to MIRA's ability to continue delivering value-added services to our expanding range of customers worldwide."
For more information on LMS Test.Lab, please visit http://www.lmsintl.com/testlab .
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