Audi deployed LMS systems to boost testing productivity and to develop distinct sound profiles for its different car lines
Leuven, Belgium – LMS, the engineering innovation company, today announced that Audi successfully deployed LMS Test.Lab for NVH testing and engineering to meet increasingly tight deadlines in new car development programs. Superior NVH quality is said to be a top priority in Audi’s strategy of brand differentiation, and the company is a longstanding user of LMS testing systems to ensure new models comply with specific sound profiles. After an extensive evaluation, Audi decided to migrate to the LMS Test.Lab software suite and to deploy the new testing system for more than 50 users. The implementation is comprised of multiple NVH testing systems for lab and field testing based on the LMS SCADAS III data acquisition front end.
According to Kay Schammer, Noise and Vibration Testing Engineer at Audi, one of the primary benefits of the deployment was the increased testing productivity provided by LMS Test.Lab for the diverse range of NVH testing assignments. “This implementation strengthens our capability in handling the increasing workload and complexity for NVH engineering work in developing the distinct sound packages for Audi vehicles,” explains Schammer.
“In a typical vehicle test program, we only have a car for a short time slot. Instrumenting the vehicle with accelerometers and microphones requires a lot of time, and only half a day often remains for running tests, gathering data and analyzing results,” says Schammer. “At this stage, time is critical. Tests must be performed quickly and reliably. There is no room for error and no time for repeating tests. LMS Test.Lab has proven to be a perfect fit for addressing this challenge”
Schammer notes that all data acquisition, analysis and reporting tasks are tightly integrated in LMS Test.Lab, which performs acoustic, vibration, structural and rotating machinery tests on a single unified platform. A user-friendly graphical interface has prompts and automated features for fast setup and data analysis. “As tests are being run, on-line monitoring lets users clearly see results in real time on color-coded maps, comparative plots, waterfall diagrams and other displays,” explains Schammer. “In this way, engineers can immediately determine if measurements are valid and quickly identify where further study of problems may be warranted.”
One particularly valuable tool noted by Schammer is the LMS PolyMAX modal parameter estimation solution that highlights noise resonances as colored spikes on amplitude versus frequency diagrams. Automation of this task saves time by enabling engineers to define resonant frequencies in a few minutes instead of spending hours laboriously interpreting data. This capability also provides more consistent analysis of results that otherwise could vary depending on the operator. Report generation is another highly useful time-saving feature, allowing engineers to quickly prepare reports with embedded animations of ODS results and other “live” data. These reports can then be shared with others, who can manipulate views and interact with the images, even without having LMS Test.Lab on their systems.
“The increased productivity provided by LMS Test.Lab enables us to complete testing operations with higher efficiency than is otherwise possible,” says Schammer. “Improvements in handling increasingly complex tests within tight schedules are critical in helping us maintain our sound quality standards and meet key milestones in the development of the expanding range of new vehicle models at Audi.”
About LMS International
LMS is an engineering innovation partner for companies in the automotive, aerospace and other advanced manufacturing industries. LMS enables its customers to get better products faster to market, and to turn superior process efficiency to their strategic competitive advantage. LMS delivers a unique combination of virtual simulation software, testing systems, and engineering services. We are focused on the mission critical performance attributes in key manufacturing industries, including structural integrity, handling, safety, reliability, comfort and sound quality. Through our technology, people and over 25 years of experience, LMS has become the partner of choice for most of the leading discrete manufacturing companies worldwide. LMS, a Dassault Systèmes Gold Partner and SIMULIA Partner, is certified to ISO9001:2000 quality standards and operates through a network of subsidiaries and representatives in key locations around the world. Visit www.lmsintl.com for more information on LMS.
For high resolution images, please visit www.lmsintl.com/pressimages
For more information on LMS Test.Lab, please visit www.lmsintl.com/testlab
LMS Press Contacts:
Corporate:
Bruno Massa
Tel +32 16 384 200
bruno.massa@lms.be
Germany:
Kerstin Schwenk
Tel +49 7152 97 97 90
kerstin.schwenk@lms-gmbh.de
France:
Myriam Degroux
Tel + 33 1 69 35 19 20
myriam.degroux@lmsfrance.fr
Italy:
Alessandra Fabiani
Tel +39 0321 44 50 11
alessandra.fabiani@lms.it
United States:
Kimberly Winkler
Tel +1 248 952 5664
kimberly.winkler@lmsna.com
Japan:
Maki Hisano
Tel +81 45 478 4800
maki.hisano@lms-ja.co.jp
China:
Susan Wu
Tel +86 10 8497 6463
susan.wu@lmschina.com
Korea:
Suk Hee Jeon
Tel +82 2 571 7246
sukhee.jeon@lmsko.co.kr
