ARC opening

Three leading Noise Vibration Harshness (NVH) technology companies have partnered together to create the 65000 sq.ft (4040 m²) Application Research Center (ARC) at Canton, Michigan, USA. This unique new facility will help automotive manufacturers and their suppliers, together with companies in the appliance, electronic and telecom industries to optimise the sound and vibration characteristics of their products. The new facility was officially opened on June 20^th, 2006.

Combined Expertise

For more than 60 years, Brüel & Kjær with its Headquarters in Denmark, has been the industry pioneer and leading innovator in sound and vibration measurement. Brüel & Kjærs subsidiary in North America, together with MSC (Material Sciences Corporation), producer of Quiet Steel, and Link Engineering, designer and builder of NVH test systems, have combined their world-leading expertise to create a facility that is unique in its testing capabilities. Planning, design, and site selection took two years, and building construction began in 2004.

Kalle Nielsen, President of Brüel & Kjær says, "With the change in emphasis from Brüel & Kjær as a supplier of sound and vibration measurement equipment to a solution provider, this new facility enables us to work very closely with our customers, and to help them to develop and optimise their products. Our partnership with MSC and Link Engineering, and our combined substantial investment, is an important commitment to the automotive and other focus markets within Brüel & Kjær".

Mark Gresser, Vice President MSC comments, "We determined that we needed a world-class testing and research facility to fully service our automotive customers with Quiet Steel applications. Working with Brüel & Kjær and Link Engineering, we have together achieved that objective and more, in that we are equipped and staffed to benefit product development in a wide range of industries".

Jim Thompson, Link Engineering Vice President adds, The three companies have been tackling NVH projects together for years but now, by truly combining our resources and talents in one place, we have put together what we believe to be the most comprehensive, independent sound and vibration research facility in the US.

Facilities

The range of test facilities is extensive. One hemi-anechoic chamber is equipped with a Link Engineering 4-wheel drive dynamometer with a size capacity to test the largest light-duty trucks, and which can be equipped with a range of different road surfaces. A second hemi-anechoic chamber is designed to measure structural vibration of components, subsystems, and full vehicles and can double as an acoustics test facility.

The Sound Transmission Loss Suite (STL) includes a large hemi-anechoic chamber connected to lower level, as well as same-level reverberant chambers for the Transmission Loss Testing of horizontal panels such as floor/carpet systems, vertical panels, and firewalls, etc. A fully treated anechoic chamber allows testing of components. All anechoic chambers are mechanically isolated from the building.

The facility has a total of three Link Engineering brake dynamometers, as well as engineering simulation and benchmarking rooms, an NVH Simulator using technology from Brüel & Kjær, and a product development laboratory. The NVH test and analysis equipment was supplied by Brüel & Kjær. All test facilities and chambers require ID badge access and each vehicle work bay has 12 foot high confidentiality curtains to protect work being carried out on secret vehicles.

The Education Centre will provide training programmes ranging from sound and vibration fundamentals to specific product/solution training.

The ARC is also home to Sound Answers. This company was founded with the closure of the MTS Noise & Vibration division and provides consultancy services using the full range of test equipment and facilities at ARC.

Alan Humphrey, President of Brüel & Kjær North America, concludes, The opening of this research facility represents a major milestone for us. The extensive technical staff and resources at Canton will further support our global NVH test and consulting services.

For further information, and to contact MSC, Link Engineering and Brüel & Kjær:

MSC
http://www.matsci.com
greg.goetchius@matsci.com

Link Engineering
http://www.linkeng.com
j.curtis@linkeng.com

Brüel & Kjær
http://www.bkhome.com
jim.thompson@bksv.com