Test System Includes Both Balancing and NVH Tests

September 3rd, 2007

Anthony Best Dynamics (ABD), based in Wiltshire, England, has launched a new version of the the company’s PLATO system. It offers integrated single-plane dynamic balancing, allowing customers to carry out NVH and balance testing on the same system. Other new features include improved time history logging functions, real-time order spectra and improved ‘handshaking’ with test stands; all features aimed at enhancing NVH testing capabilities at lower cost. In PLATO 5.50, production cycle screens can also now be presented in any language, the first stage in ABD’s policy to gradually make the whole of PLATO accessible in any customer’s chosen language.

The new ‘DyBal’ add-on software option for integrated single-plane dynamic balancing in PLATO 5.50 allows users to carry out balance tests and fast cycle NVH tests on the same machine. This is a very attractive cost-saving feature particularly for axle manufacturers, who at the moment typically purchase separate systems for balancing and NVH testing. The DyBal software uses shaft-speed synchronised data capture and a high-precision data resolving technique to guarantee accurate imbalance magnitude and phase results which are returned swiftly to allow the test stand to make any necessary balance corrections and/or markings. The option comes complete with on-line (in-cycle) processing actions which may also be run retrospectively to summarise multiple results.

The new speed aware time history capture (SATHC) action dedicates one of its input channels to measuring the speed of a key reference shaft (e.g. engine speed, propshaft speed etc) whilst time histories are logged on the other channels. The speed data is then graphically displayed whilst data is captured on other channels to provide a driver aid when used in-vehicle.

Consistent test conditions are then ensured from test to test, a prerequisite for repeatable and meaningful NVH results. Expected speed profiles (e.g. speed accelerations/decelerations) can then be defined and time history data only accepted if the reference shaft speed follows the expected profile within user-set tolerances. In-vehicle, repeatable speed ramps lead to repeatable gear loads, which lead to repeatable NVH results.

Entry Filed under: NVH