Sound Solutions that Resonate

Testing and Modeling

General Testing: Noise, Acoustic, Shock, and Vibration Testing

Benefits: We offer Vibration and Acoustic Testing and Engineering services to determine

  • System Performance
  • Structural Integrity
  • Structural Durability
  • Shock and Vibration Resistance
  • Compliance to Noise and Vibration Specifications

Testing Categories: The following services are available for your testing needs

  • In-Process Testing
  • Development Testing
  • Laboratory and Field Testing
  • Customer Specification Testing
  • Standards Compliance Testing
  • Evaluation of Present and Future Designs
  • Benchmarking Competitor’s Designs
  • Project Overflow Testing and Analysis

Capabilities and Testing Process: QRDc works with its customers to meet or exceed their vibration and noise requirements. Our testing and evaluation process involves:

  • Establishing vibration and noise criteria
  • Measuring & Quantifying
  • Analyzing
  • Identifying vibration and noise issues
  • Devising practical solutions to the real-world problems
  • Fully documenting the process and recommended solutions

Experimental Modal Analysis

Product optimization can be achieved through experimental modal analysis conducted on prototypes to better characterize product behavior and expose potential problems. Further enhancement is achieved through the combination of experimental modal analysis with finite element analysis. QRDc uses modal analysis in laboratory or on-site settings to:

  • Measure Natural Frequencies
  • Determine Mode Shapes
  • Estimate Damping Coefficients
  • Visualize Operating Deflection Shapes (ODS)
  • Simulation Model Verification

Shock & Vibration Testing and Evaluation

Benefits: Under controlled laboratory conditions, exposure to environmental vibration and shock loads may be simulated with customer identified test profiles and specifications to comply with quality and safety requirements. The outcomes of shock and vibration testing are improved

  • Product Performance
  • Increased Product Reliability
  • Shortened Development Cycles
  • Reduced Product Support Costs
  • Heightened Product Marketability

Type of testing: Vibration and shock testing is an important part of product performance and evaluation. Vibration and shock testing may be used to evaluate products and packaging for their predicted:

  • Performance
  • Functionality
  • Life
  • Radiated Noise
  • Influence of Environmental Dynamics

Vibration and shock testing may also be used to evaluate products and packages for design purposes and to determine influence of packaging techniques and modes of transportation. Our facility has the capability to perform tests on individual components and well as complete systems.

Capabilities and Testing Process: We offer the following as part of our shock and vibration testing services:

  • Laboratory Vibration Testing
    • Sine Input
    • Random Input
    • Arbitrary Waveform
    • Customer-Provided
    • Field-measured Excitation
  • Laboratory Shock Testing
    • Half-sine
    • Sawtooth
    • Square Wave
  • Preparation of Test Article
  • Qualification and Verification
  • Data Acquisition and Instrumentation
  • Accelerated Fatigue
  • Vibration-, Shock-, & Noise-based Performance
  • Product Performance Comparison
  • Package Performance Comparison
  • Test Data Analysis
  • Detailed Test and Analysis Reporting
  • Standard or Custom Tests
  • Standard or Custom Test Fixtures
  • Field Vibration Measurements
  • Field Acoustic Measurements
  • Modal Testing Capabilities

For laboratory vibration and shock testing, we are equipped with computer-controlled electro-dynamic shakers; vibration-isolated test bench; contacting and non-contacting sensors; 4- and 16-channel data acquisition systems; and off-the-shelf and in-house proprietary data analysis software. Depending upon the application, all of these capabilities will be available to our clients.

Applications of Electro-Dynamic Vibration Testing

  • High-Frequency Vibration Durability/Reliability
  • High-Frequency Resonant Search
  • High-Frequency Vibration Transmissibility
  • Mechanical Joint Integrity
  • Chemically Bonded Joint Integrity
  • Electronic Operational Integrity

Acoustic and Noise Testing and Evaluation

Applications: Our team investigates and solves problems concerned principally with acoustics and vibration in systems as diverse as

  • Military Aerospace and Ground Vehicles
  • Automobiles
  • Rail Transport
  • Marine Systems
  • Construction Materials
  • Office Buildings
  • Industrial Machinery
  • Test Facilities

General Testing: Our team measures, analyzes, designs, develops, and recommends solution to meet the specialized needs of its clients. The close relationship between research and consulting activities allows QRDC to provide a unique perspective on solving real-world problems.

General acoustic testing and noise evaluation capabilities and experience include:

  • Structure- and Air-borne Noise
  • Sound Pressure Measurements & Mapping
  • Sound Power Measurements
  • Sound Intensity Measurements & Mapping
  • Noise Source Identification
  • Acoustic Measurement & Instrumentation
  • Environmental Noise
  • Architectural Acoustics & Noise Control
  • Data Acquisition

Sound Pressure Measurement

A-weighted Sound Pressure Levels at an operator position is one common form of presenting acoustic noise level. The Sound Pressure Level requirements depend on the type of product and the where it will be used. Many testing standards are available to guide the product development and evaluation cycle.

Sound Power Measurement

In addition to Sound Pressure Level, Sound Power Level Information is also used to evaluate the total noise radiated by a product. Specification of Sound Power Level is very common for European-market products. The Sound Power Level of a product may be calculated from a series of Sound Pressure Levels measurements. Acoustic testing standards specify requirements for specific fields of product use.

Sound Intensity Measurement

Sound Intensity measurements allow for detailed noise maps of measurement surfaces to locate and identify noise sources in products as well as in the environment. These maps may aid in reducing noise levels or tailoring acoustic signatures of products.

Sound Intensity testing also allows for the determination of Sound Power without the need for expensive acoustic testing in specialized anechoic chambers. Sound Intensity measurements may be made in industrial settings, even in the presence of background noise. This is not possible with conventional Sound Pressure Level-based measures of Sound Power.

Standards

Test standards typically dictate the loading conditions to apply to the product under test. Test standards for shock and vibration testing are published by organizations such as International Standards Organization (ISO), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the European Community (CE/EN), and the US Military (MIL-STD).

Engineering Solutions

By evaluating the mechanical characteristics of a product during the pre-production or prototype stage, QRDc engineers can aid in increasing a product’s reliability, enhancing quality, and reducing costs. As a third-party evaluator, we provide unbiased, confidential, and dependable recommendations for mechanical product design.

Animation, Simulation and Analysis

QRDc’s wide range of engineering analysis services complements the company’s diverse testing capabilities. These engineering capabilities include:

  • ANSYS and Algor Finite Element Modeling
  • Sysnoise Acoustic FE and BE Simulation
  • General Mathematical Modeling
  • Verification/Calibration of Analytical Models
  • Structural, Identification, and Modification Assessment
  • Test Requirements and Procedures
  • Fixture Design for In-house and/or Customer-Site Testing
  • Analysis Documentation
  • Engineering Assessment of Analysis/Test Results

Finite Element Modeling Expertise

  • Model Creation and Validation
  • Structural / Stress Analysis
  • Static
  • Linear
  • Dynamic
    • Modal
    • Transient Response
    • Harmonic Response
    • Response Spectrum
    • Random Vibration
  • Harmonic
  • Modal
  • Transient
  • Coupled Vibro-acoustic Simulation
  • Buckling
  • Fatigue
  • Acoustic

Vibration Isolation Solutions

Our team has over 15 years experience in vibration analysis. We have designed isolations for military and commercial applications. We have used off-shelf products and designed customized isolation systems. In addition, we have also deigned and manufactured new isolation systems based on the requirements in an application.

Our experience in vibration analysis and isolation includes military and industrial applications. Some of these include isolation of helicopter guns for Army, isolation of the main engines in reconnaissance aircraft for Navy, isolation of auxiliary power unit in ground vehicles for Army, isolation of electronic enclosures for Navy, and isolation of hammermills in ethanol plants.

Our team is committed to providing innovative and effective vibration isolation solutions to our customers. We offer quality vibration isolation designs and products at competitive prices in the shortest lead-time possible.

Our vibration isolation solutions are complimented by special designs to fit specific application requirements. We are continually enhancing our product features and introducing new products to meet changing industry requirements and to improve the overall cost effectiveness of our products and services.

We have access to a wide range of off-the-shelf vibration isolation solutions. Visit our product offerings for a sample list.

Why Vibration Isolation?

There are three areas where vibration isolation may be used to reduce vibrations. Ideally, vibration isolation at the source gives the best result. The first method eliminates vibrations at the source; isolating the equipment causing unacceptable vibrations from the surrounding environment. However, in certain cases it may not be possible to isolate the vibrations at the source. As an alternative isolation method, one may isolate the path from the source of vibration. Finally, one may isolate the receiver from excess vibrations coming from the source. Receivers may be sensitive equipment, workers/operators, electronic equipment, or optical systems.

Our engineers approach vibration isolation problems from a system point of view. The system approach is based on considering not only equipment, but also the support upon which the equipment is mounted and the environment in which the system will be placed. The system approach ensures that individual components do not inhibit overall system performance. The latter is one of the most important factors in solving vibration isolation problems

Vibration Damping Solutions

One of the most effective methods to reduce vibration is the use of damping materials or mechanisms. Vibration energy is dissipated through damping of structures or machinery. All vibrating systems or structures have inherent damping due to material, joint friction, or fluids-solid interactions. The level of damping can be increased to enhance energy dissipation in particular vibration modes. Damping is most effective at resonance frequencies. Therefore, the response of a structure driven at a resonant frequency can be greatly decreased by damping. Reduction of vibration at resonances reduced radiated noise, improve functionality and service-free life, and significantly reduce overall motion or acceleration of a system or product.

Application of small amount of damping material can have a profound effect on noise reduction. For example, applying damping material to the doors of a vehicle can significantly reduce road noise up to 6 dB. As much as 18 dB reduction in road noise may be realized by complete damping coverage for an average vehicle.

Application of damping material in patches (25-50% area coverage) may be used to keep panels and structures from resonating. To create a sound barrier and thermal insulator, damping material in patches may be applied over an entire area (such as the floor, doors, or trunk).

Our engineers can help you to choose the best damping material and optimize its application to get the most reduction in noise or vibration.

Consulting: Technical understanding of existing vibration, noise, acoustic or shock problems and how those problems relate to machine or structural performance is key to an organization’s bottom line. The QRDC technical team (scientists, engineers and technicians) provides that intrinsic “we understand” capability that leads to uncommon discoveries in problem solving.

New Product Development: Often time opportunities exist for new product development either through customer or QRDc discovery. When working with the customer, a full needs analysis will determine what the assessment plan, budget and delivery schedule will entail.

Design & Analysis: The QRDC technical team has the expertise and tools that provides for modeling and simulation. This expertise gives us the predictability required to make accurate assumptions regarding energy flow. The end result is an analysis that brings solutions to a common or uncommon problem associated with vibration, noise, acoustics or shock in a system.

Current Product Retrofit & Improvement: QRDc is often contacted when an existing product is not performing to the needs and requirements of its assigned task. When vibration, noise, acoustics or shock problems exist in current products, QRDc can assess the need and create a solution to retrofit or improve your current product.

Assessment & Problem Solving: Prior to engagement in a multi-phase project, QRDc will conduct an assessment of the problem. The QRDc team will then make recommendations for a multi-phase approach to achieve success. The assessment involves the client and QRDc teams and provides the basis for ongoing problem solving.

Field Data Collection & Analysis: Often a project requires the QRDc technical team to collect field data and analyze the results for report generation or technology insertion. State-of-the-art data collection tools and techniques are applied to gain the most accurate results.

Vibration/Noise/Energy Flow Mapping: QRDc uses sophisticated software tools and patented technologies to gain optimum results. Visually identifying the energy flow in a structure or system enhances our ability to analyze and communicate the problem at hand. A retrofit or new system design requires a full understanding of the energy flow characteristics in a structure.

Prototype & Laboratory Testing: As part of a QRDc technology implementation solution, small-scale prototypes are built and tested under laboratory conditions. Both small-scale and large-scale test data are then incorporated in a full-scale prototype design after all solution refinements are completed.

Vibration Based Condition Monitoring & Predictive Maintenance Plans: State-of-the-art maintenance technology incorporates vibration analysis as a predictive way to determine machine failures. QRDc’s condition monitoring plan includes initial setup, baseline testing of machines and determination of point locations for sensors. Customized plans are available based on customer needs.

Technical Training: QRDc provides a broad range of technical training courses and seminars with hands-on exercises. Our technical training is customized to meet customer’s specific needs. One to five day courses on noise, vibration, shock, condition monitoring, and predictive maintenance topics can be offered. Training can be in a group setting at a company’s facility or an off-site conference center.