Vibratec

PORTRAIT #3 – Rémi SALANON, Project Manager

Our third employee portrait is here! Meet Rémi SALANON, who joined VibraTec 14 years ago as a simulation engineer and is now a project manager. Discover his career and evolution…

 How did you get to VibraTec?

After having gone to prep school, I became a mechanical engineer, graduating from the National School of Mechanics and Microtechnology in Besançon. That’s when I developed a taste for calculations and vibration.

When I left school, I applied to VibraTec for a position as a simulation engineer. I had already done an internship on building vibrations in the United States, and another one where I had done some calculations. It was a good match for the position, and I think that’s what helped me get hired.

For two years, I did simulations in mechanical calculation with various fields of application, even though I was hired at a time when the “Oil & Gas” department was growing rapidly and the majority the projects were related to this sector.

How did your job evolve?

I then went on a mission at GENERAL ELECTRIC in Belfort, whose goal was to develop a calculation method on gas turbines’ shaft lines. Being in an SME, it was a real opportunity to integrate a multinational company and to work on a rather specialized subject. Nevertheless, I continued to have the support of VibraTec; Stéphane TEPPE joined me every two weeks to follow the mission’s progress. After 8 months, I returned to VibraTec headquarters and was officially integrated in the Oil & Gas team, still in strong growth.

In 2010, I became a realization manager, and more and more involved in the piping vibration theme. In 2014, I moved to the position of project manager, which involves more relationship with clients. I’m still a project manager today, but with a higher volume and more complexity. More recently, I also had the opportunity to replace Agnès GERPHAGNON during her maternity leave, as head of the “Oil & Gas” department.

In parallel to all this, I have taken on other roles. For example, the “test bench” group. Some of the people who were interested had the objective of increasing their competence in this new area for VibraTec. This is a side group, not limited to the “Oil & Gas” department. It allowed me to see other things. I was also involved in quality, with the objective of improving the way we manage projects.

To sum up, I would say that my evolution is not only growing, it is also and above all transverse.

What do you take away from this experience as a department manager?

I became department manager in the somewhat particular context of the Covid lock-down. Having to manage these new functions, 100% telecommuting, was not always easy. It was a stressful period and the team had a lot of questions. I had to bridge the gap between them and the management. But I think that some good things came out of it. We are more attentive to our colleagues and our clients, and they are more attentive to us. Maybe we care more about each other now.

The job involves two major responsibilities; the team and the bottom line. While I enjoyed the “human” aspect, I was less familiar with the commercial part. It is formative, you learn about yourself. I now know that, in the future, managing a team is something I would like to do.

What is your favorite part of the job?

I particularly enjoy working on international projects. First, because it made me travel; to the Emirates, Korea, Brazil. The Covid crisis showed that it wasn’t necessarily useful and that we can do most things remotely. Those days are gone, and fortunately for the environment, but I have good memories of them.

This, I find the international aspect today in my collaboration with our subsidiary in Malaysia. I really enjoy working with them and helping them to improve their skills.

In any case, it is interesting to see the cultural differences in the work. Sometimes it leads to misunderstandings, so you have to be flexible and adaptable, but that’s what I like.

So you’ve been with VibraTec for 14 years: what keeps you going? 

It’s true that, except for my internships, I haven’t worked for any other company than VibraTec. This is quite atypical compared to my former classmates, most of whom have worked for two or three companies since graduating. However, I don’t feel like I’ve been doing the same job for 14 years. I always had a new challenge that came at the right time when I could have gotten bored.

I’ve also had access to a lot of training, both at my request and at VibraTec’s request. We are given the means to develop our skills, be they technical or in project management, for example. In addition to the training provided by “external” organizations, there is a very strong culture of knowledge transfer here.

This allows me to make the link with the working environment. This is a key element. Working with friends is not given to everyone. Many of us arrived at the same time. We were in the same age group, from the same engineering school “mold”, so inevitably we had common interests. We saw each other a lot outside the office, and even if it’s a little less the case today with our family lives, it’s still nice to find these core friendships at work.

How do you balance your work and family life?

Telecommuting helps to improve this balance. It’s very important, especially when you become a parent. Our life is necessarily very much focused on our son and we make sure we have time to spend with him. That’s why I now work part-time, 90% : every other Friday is “free”. This is quite common at VibraTec, even among the men. But you have to be careful not to try to fit 100% into a part-time schedule. That’s the trap! So I make sure I don’t work late on Thursday nights to make up for my Friday, otherwise there’s no point.

With my wife, we also like to travel a lot. We haven’t been around the world, but we’ve seen a lot of countries. We plan to travel with our son soon. I would like to go back to Asia in particular. 

PORTRAIT #2 – Murielle DJENDO SCHMAUTZ, Accountant

For this second portrait, we invite you to discover Murielle DJENDO SCHMAUTZ, accountant at Vibratec for more than 11 years. And once you’ve met her, you can’t continue to believe the stereotype of the unfriendly accountant!

What was your background before coming to Vibratec?

After a DUT GEA, I arrived on the job market as a sales assistant. Two years later I joined a first accounting firm in Bron. For three years, I learned little by little the profession of accountant. First as an accounting secretary, with a majority of administrative tasks, before evolving and having my own files.

Then, I left for a bigger firm in Caluire, I stayed there for 7 years. I therefore total 10 years of experience in law firm. I think it’s instructive to start with that, you learn the basics of accounting and our client portfolio is very diversified.

Nevertheless, I had the feeling of having done the trick. So I joined an SME as sole accountant to replace maternity leave. I enjoyed doing everything from start to finish. We are also much less in a rush than in the office.

At the end of this replacement, I joined Vibratec through the interim, at the end of January 2011. After 1 year, the increase in activity having been confirmed, I was hired on a permanent contract.

What are your specific duties as an accountant?

Initially, my missions mainly focused on the processing of expense reports and the management of Vibratec’s suppliers. Today I am in charge of purchases, sales, expense reports, banks, VAT and Vibrateam account management. I also retained the sales and management of Vibratec’s bank accounts and all customer invoicing. Part of my job also consists of following up with customers in the event of non-payment. A role that earned me the amusing nickname of “cash-machine” with some of my colleagues.

The work of an accountant is greatly punctuated by the calendar. There are the annual obligations to which all companies are subject (balance sheet, income statement, etc.), but also a well-established monthly schedule; expense reports, for example, are processed every tenth of the month. Deadlines to which are added the vagaries of everyday life, of course.

My missions are therefore quite diversified, they have evolved well over time, which makes it possible not to get bored. I also appreciate having a lot of autonomy. Within our team, everyone manages their part, knowing that the others are there when needed.

You didn’t know the industry, is that a problem?

It’s true, I didn’t know the industry at all. It’s not a problem, you learn on the job, and even today, I continue to learn. It just takes curiosity. When studies are carried out in our lab, I go for a walk and I ask questions. Colleagues always take the time to answer and popularize the information very well. This makes it possible to make more concrete the things that are invoiced and which can be a little abstract.

How has your position evolved over the years?

Given the size of the company, there is no “everything” manager as can be done in some groups.

In 2019, on my personal initiative, I still wanted to pass my accounting manager certification.

In accounting, we take automatisms but some rules are bound to change, I wanted to update my skills. Vibratec supported me in this process by financing part of the training. I was also entitled to dedicated hours on my working time, which I found really great.

A little anecdote; after passing my exam, which was done remotely, I received a mark of zero! I who thought I had succeeded…I had in fact sent all my empty Excel files. I had to go to resit and finally, I passed my certification with honors! More fear than harm.

We hear more and more about work/life balance, what do you think?

This is an essential point, especially when you have children!

In 2015, I was away for a little over a year when I became a mother for the third time. I then slowly returned to part-time, first at 60% then at 80%. A request that was very well received by Aymeric, our financial director. Today, I’m still off on Children’s Day Wednesdays…and a bit of mommy since they’re growing up!

Part-time work is frequent at Vibratec, but it results from the request of the employees themselves. Including dads, which is pretty rare! This flexibility is also found in telework. I do it half the time, and even if I like coming to the office, being able to avoid a long bus ride on certain days is appreciable. There are also tasks that I prefer to do from home, such as customer reminders on the phone, for example.

What do you see as other strengths of Vibratec?

Without hesitation, it is the people who work there. We cannot have affinities with everyone, but it is essential to evolve in a good general atmosphere. That’s what I found here, and that’s a big part of what keeps you in a company for eleven years.

The people are really nice and open-minded, newcomers are always welcomed. We find very different personalities at Vibratec, but it is this mix that makes it work well.

What if you hadn’t been an accountant?

As a child, I dreamed of being a professional basketball player. For a long time, I couldn’t watch the girls play, I had a little pang in my heart not to be in their place. It’s a passion that I still keep today, as a great ASVEL supporter and NBA fan.

Otherwise, I like to read a lot, I am interested in political news. I need to understand societal issues and I like to debate them. I am naturally empathetic, the other does not indifferent to me, but I try to take some distance sometimes because it can be quickly overwhelming. We must preserve ourselves without falling into navel-gazing.

A priori, the profession of accountant does not necessarily illustrate empathy, but we know that social professions are not rewarded at their fair value unfortunately.

One day, why not go to Congo where my parents and my husband are from. I could see myself living there, going back to something more essential and simple; cultivating the land, for example. A large part of my family still lives there. I haven’t been there since 2004, so I just want to go back, at least for a vacation at first.

See you next month for our third portrait!

H2020 ECO DRIVE Public Industrial Workshop

Over the next 30 years, as we shift towards Electric Vehicles (EVs), downsized IC (Internal Combustion) engines and hybrids with eco-powertrains will be central to the automotive sector. The H2020 ECO DRIVE program develops new technologies for the testing and simulation of eco-powertrains, addressing the complex challenges related to combustion noise, the irritating sound from electric motors, transmission-induced NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) and driveline torsional vibrations, leading to new designs with improved eco-efficiency and NVH performance. Involving 9 European beneficiaries from leading academic institutions, top research centres and Europe’s premier vehicle producers, this project offers a multi-disciplinary research-training program to 13 ESRs (Early-Stage Researchers), with the ultimate aim being to create a new generation of NVH professionals for the transport sector.

In this framework, MicrodB, associated with UNIVPM (Università Politecnica delle Marche) will hold a public industrial workshop on 23rd and 24th of June 2022 at the Faculty of Engineering of Ancona, Italy.

This public event will aim at disseminate the multiple outputs of ECO DRIVE program in terms of methods, tools, processes and metrics developped to answer the challenges met by the automotive & NVH community. With talks from both ESRs and industrial speakers (Stellantis, BMW, SISW and VibraTec-MicrodB), this event intends to highlight industrial strategies and state-of-the-art research to reduce noise and vibrations of future electric vehicles.

As Industrial Speaker, Dr Martin Jeannerot (VibraTec) will present an overview of almost 20 years of VibraTec experience in electric motors NVH.

ESR Kalasagarreddi Kottakota (MicrodB) will outline his sound source localization technique dedicated to track engine orders in non-stationary regimes.

More information at : https://h2020-ecodrive.eu/eco-drive-public-workshop-ancona/

PORTRAIT #1 – Gérald Monchalin, MicroDB Production Manager

For this first portrait, let us introduce you to Gérald MONCHALIN. From “adventurous” technician to MicroDB production manager, discover his evolution in 18 years of career within the group.

 How did you arrive at VibraTec?

After an IUT in “Physical Measurements”, I joined AVTECH in a work-study program within the Caterpillar group. I then met Lionel, department manager at VibraTec. That’s the advantage of AVTECH: a school created by industrialists to meet the needs of industrialists; it’s an excellent way to make contacts.

 I was immediately interested in VibraTec, but no recruitment was underway at the time. Shortly thereafter, an ad was published: I sent my CV, and only 3 days later, I was hired as an acoustics and vibration technician at first.

 How has your job evolved over the years?

As a technician, I traveled extensively to perform acoustic and vibration measurements on a variety of industrial machines and structures, including nuclear power plants and offshore oil facilities.

During my first years, it was easier to count my days at home, rather than travelling. 

Then, I needed a more sedentary life to reconcile work with my family life, so I turned to mechanical calculation. It was as annoying as it was challenging to have to relearn everything, but I loved it!

This path allowed me to experience the 4 facets of VibraTec’s business: measurement, calculation, acoustics and vibration.

 In 2017, MicroDB approached me; they needed someone versatile and technical for a one-year period. After a year, a position opened up in acoustic array production and maintenance, so I changed my job completely. This year I officially became the production manager, which means that I was able to leverage these new skills.

This evolution was possible because of my desire to learn and understand, combined with VibraTec’s trust and recognition. All this in a win/win logic.

 What does your job as “Production Manager” at MicroDB involve?

My missions are very varied, and that’s what I like.

 I manage the reception of orders and the order validation process; I confirm that the material is functional and in the right quantity. I am in charge of stocks and component management, but also of purchasing, so I am in daily contact with our suppliers.

 In addition to these recurring missions, there was a lot of background work (coordination) to be done, especially for quality and processes. There was a lot to do, and we have evolved a lot since then. In concrete terms, when I arrived, it took us two days to prepare an array; today we are ready to send it to the customer in just one day. This saves a lot of time for us and for our customers.

 Finally, as an AVTECH tutor, my goal is to pass on this methodology to the students we welcome. As with Laury this year, I make sure that they assimilate the procedure and make it their own.

Is your experience as a technician an asset in your new position?

Yes, I think I’ve really been able to capitalize on my technical skills.

In projects such as DB Flash for example, my experience allows me to have a quick understanding of the problem and a critical look at the acoustic point of view in order to orientate the design, the acoustic validation tests, etc.

I don’t do the testing myself, I help/supervise Laury with this mission. Then we can compare notes and debrief, which a person with a background only in production and maintenance could not necessarily do.

 Is there a project or a mission that has marked you more than the others?

No, there isn’t really a project or an assignment in particular! Generally speaking, I have fond memories of “offshore” trips, for the places I have visited and the good times with colleagues and clients.

There is also the “adventure” aspect; the conditions on-board are particular and our freedom is restricted. They were even more so before; with no internet connection and only one authorized call per week, we really felt cut off from the world.

What is common to each of these missions and what I particularly remember is the feeling of being truly needed by our client and the satisfaction of having helped them once the problem was solved.

 When you’ve spent so much time traveling, don’t you miss it (even a little)?

No! After 12 years of travel, I longed for something else. “We know when we leave, not when we come home”. In my eyes, this wasn’t compatible with my family life. 

And finally, I had the impression that I’d done it all. These trips had become my comfort zone; no matter where I was and what problem I had to solve, I knew it would do it! I needed a new challenge.

 Finally, what is it about VibraTec that keeps you interested after 18 years?

The opportunities for evolution, which are certainly not as open elsewhere! For some of my colleagues, the development of their skills included returning to school for engineering degrees; for me it’s been through internal mobility, which makes my career at VibraTec very atypical.

The work atmosphere is also a big part of it! I’ve made some real friends here, especially through travel. Again, I don’t think I’ll find that anywhere else.

If I were to leave VibraTec one day, it would be because I feel that I could contribute more to another company, not out of frustration or bitterness.

See you next month for portrait #2 ! 

Our training now QUALIOPI certified!

Qualiopi certification has become a legal obligation, approved by the Professional Future Act since 1 January 2022.

It is intended to assess the quality of the training offered by the various French organizations, according to demanding criteria and a series of three audits; Qualiopi certification also offers a simplification of standards. It replaces the Datadock registration and the 53 certifications of the CNEFOP (National Council for Employment, Training and Vocational Guidance)

An important issue, because without it, it is impossible to solicit public and mutualised funding (Employment Division, OPCO, Region, Agefiph, etc.).

In short, it confirms and attests to the reliability and seriousness of the training we provide.

Do you need to deepen your general or specific knowledge in measurement, simulation or analysis?
Test your skills and discover our training catalogue

There are still openings for our Experimental Modal Analysis training on March 10 & 11 in Ecully (Lyon)

During these 2 days of training, attendees will discover the interest of this analysis for machine and equipment vibration diagnosis, and will learn how to apply the technique and analyze results.

Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA), also known as vibration analysis equipment stopped, serves to obtain the eigenmodes of the structure, machine or equipment. Each eigenmode is characterized by a frequency, a damping and a deformation.

Determining the eigenresponse is essential during a complete diagnosis; thus, AME is necessary in addition to the vibratory analysis in operation. The principle of these measurements is to apply an excitation; the vibratory response is measured with tri-axis accelerometers placed at strategic locations.

Register now

More information here

Gas Turbine Compressor / Generator package Integration

Turbo-generator and centrifugal compressors are key packages on any offshore plant. Because of their size, weight and cost, their integration on the deck is carefully studied.

The question of vibration risk is inevitably raised: what is really at stake, and what is the good approach to minimize the risk for workers, the package itself, and the neighboring equipment? Having been involved in dozens of projects over the 3 last decades, VibraTec will share this experience and present its methodology to study these packages and minimize risks at minimal cost.

Key topics that will be covered during this webinar on Thursday December 9th at 8:30 am CET:

• Vibration risks for 3 types of package:
  Turbine driven compressors
  Turbine driven generators
  Centrifugal compressors driven by electric motors

• Recommended analyses
• Gimbals vs AVM supports

The webinar will end with a live Q&A session.

Registration is open – sign up now!

Axial Flux Machine NVH Webinar

Axial flux motors are an emerging technology for the electrification of cars and airplanes. This technology is better than radial flux motors in several ways. But what about axial flux motor noise and vibration (NVH)?

During this webinar on Tuesday November 23rd at 2pm (CET), the following topics will be discussed :

• General information on axial flux technology
• New NVH challenges compared to radial flux machines
• Simulation and test methods for axial flux machine NVH

Register now !

Railway R&D: VibraTec develops new methods to speed up acoustic certification

VibraTec and MicrodB actively contribute to railway R&D: In the TRANSIT project – part of EU-funded Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking (grant no. 881771) – we work on cost-effective acoustic certification.

Recently, we carried out a measurement campaign in Alstom’s laboratory in order to characterize the acoustic performance of a power converter. We used a Simcenter HD Acoustic Camera and a Simcenter Sound Camera developed by MicrodB in collaboration with Siemens to determine simultaneously and with high spatial resolution the sound power and location of the acoustic sources of the converter. In a next step we integrated the measured data into a full vehicle model in order to simulate the sound pressure received at ISO 3095 standard positions.

This approach makes it possible to assess a rolling stock’s acoustic performance during its design phase and thus to speed up certification procedures while reducing risks.

For more information contact Martin Rissmann or Lucille Lamotte and check out the TRANSIT website.

#railway #acoustic #noise #Shift2Rail #green mobility #environment

Proud to contribute to a sustainable, fuel-efficient, low-noise, 100% European aircraft engine

The ICTUS (Instrumented Engine Cradle for the Turboprop Ground Test) project, coordinated by VibraTec since its launch in 2018, is opening up very interesting prospects in aviation through the design, manufacture and qualification of the Safran Helicopter Engines TechTP engine cradle, the first demonstrator delivered in CleanSky2. This work improves the operation of static engine test stands through the combination of instrumentation and the development of advanced test methods.

CleanSky’s Tech TP engine demonstrator thus paves the way for a 100% European, sustainable, fuel-efficient and low-noise engine for general aviation and small aircraft (up to 19 passengers). In addition, the fuel savings will reduce costs for aircraft operators, which will contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of European aviation.

The project was highlighted by France Innovation in the latest edition of 360° R&D.

This project has received funding from the CleanSky 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) under grand agreement n° 785564. The EC receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and members of the EC CleanSky 2 other than the Union.

The JU Cleansky 2 is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information on this page.

Back to school soon – for everyone!

Don’t wait until the end of August to sign up for one of our September training programs: plan ahead so can just take it easy on vacation. 😎 ⛱

📕 1-2 September: Finite Element Model Updating: the relevance of simulation before testing, types of measurements to perform, tuning methods & tools and their specificities. Animated by Stéphane TEPPE & Hugo SIWIAK.

📘 7-9 September: Vibration-Induced Pipework Failure: issues, screening & assessment methods, theoretical LOF calculation methods, good practice, and dynamic calculations. Presented by Loïc ANCIAN & Rémi SALANON.

📗 14-15 September: Signal Processing Applied to Acoustics & Vibration: main methods, types of analysis, appropriate parameters, critical result analysis. Given by Hugo SIWIAK et Renaud BERTONI.

📙 29-30 September: Experimental Vibration Analysis: more of Hugo et Renaud to identify the causes of vibration problems, select and install measurement equipment, differentiate measurement techniques, be able to propose mitigation.

Register now.
Consult the complete training catalog.

VibraTec is a certified training center and DataDock referenced, in the process of Qualiopi certification; in compliance with quality criteria, French funding agencies will cover your session.

E-Silence: reducing e-powertrain NVH behavior without deteriorating performance or increasing cost

The E-Silence R&D project is developing optimization methodologies and solutions to tackle NVH issues, starting at the early design phase and going up to the prototype phase. Our optimization algorithms are able to test several thousands of motor topologies in a short period, ensuring a noise minimization which is robust regarding manufacturing tolerances.

We have already used these methods on several industrial applications: noise reduction is more than 10 dB, without any deterioration of the other global machine performances (torque, efficiency, etc), and without increasing mass and cost.

We also optimize stator potting material in order to reduce noise by 10 to 20 dB.

VibraTec is proud to coordinate the project with its partners Altair, Moving Magnet Technologies and research laboratories FEMTO-ST and L2EP.

VibraTec will present the E-Silence project at the CARA cluster’s online Automotive Techdays on June 1^st: feel free to stop by our booth to talk with us about the project !

This project was partially financed by the European Union through the ERDF.
         

June training sessions: a great occasion to complete your skillset

Upskill colleagues with our open sessions in June:

• “Experimental Modal Analysis” on the 2^nd and 3^rd; to understand and be able to apply this structural dynamics analysis technique.
• “Acoustic Imagery – Theory & Application” on June 15^th, 16^th &/or 17^th: 2 days to gain understanding of the theory behind various imaging methods with their associated strengths & weaknesses. The 3^rd day, stand-alone or following the first 2, will provide the ability to choose and apply the “right” measurement & treatment method.
• “Automotive Acoustics” from June 22^nd to 24^th: to acquire a synthetic view of automotive acoustics, notions of the analysis of physical & perceptive phenomena associated with comfort and an understanding of the pertinence of integrating a vibro-acoustic approach in the general design & production process.
• “Human Vibration Exposure” on July 1^st: one day to understand the basics of vibration analysis & differentiate standards related to workers’ exposure in order to understand how to protect workers and/or discuss requirements knowledgeably.

Sign up now.

Consult our training catalog.

VibraTec is a training center recognized by the French administration and French professional training funding centers.

A new Turnkey test center for electrified vehicles

The electrification of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is underway. However, new electrified buses and trucks must be validated regarding:

• Energy and climatic performance,
• Connectivity and safety,
• Acoustic comfort and pass-by noise regulations.

VibraTec, with its partners Transpolis and GreenMot, form a unique test and validation center in Lyon. Vehicles can undergo complete energy, climatic, safety and noise testing to be fully validated in one place according to the various applicable regulations & standards.

Contact Sylvestre LECURU for more information!

The SILVARSTAR website is on line !

VibraTec SA is proud to be coordinating this European Shift2Rail project “SoIL Vibration and AuRalisation Software Tools for Application in Railways”, working with ISVR Consulting, KU Leuven, Wölfel Group, Empa & UNIFE.

SILVARSTAR is a two-year-long Shift2Rail project within the Horizon2020 Program of the European Commission.

The project is divided into two Work Streams with the following objectives:

• to provide a user-friendly prediction tool for ground vibration impact studies.
• to develop a fully functional system for auralisation and visualisation of railway traffic, providing interfaces with Virtual Reality visualisation software.

The project’s dedicated website will provide information about project advancement, and will contribute to ensuring that the project outputs reach targeted stakeholders.

https://www.silvarstar.eu/

#H2020 #railwaysystems #vibrationcontrol #noisecontrol

Innovative Solutions to Address the Future Zero-emissions Aircraft

During the Virtual Aerospace Show Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, from April 6^th to 8^th 2021, Romain Leneveu et Lionel Duvermy will present INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE FUTURE ZERO EMISSIONS AIRCRAFT during a business conference.

We offer 2 sessions (30 minutes):
April 7^th, 2021 at 10:30 am [FR] and April 8^th, 2021 at 10:30 am [EN].

Register directly to our conference

Throughout a review of various innovative programs, Romain Leneveu and Lionel Duvermy will introduce the context, the issues and our solutions to tackle the future challenge of the zero-emission aircraft.

Virtual Aerospace Show objective is to address aerospace decision-makers to present our latest development. Browse the agenda and the exhibitors list to customize your program according to your areas of interest (Business conferences will length up to 30′).
Virtual Aerospace Show is an initiative of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes aerospace players, led by Aerospace Cluster Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

We will be extremely honoured to welcome you on the occasion of this first edition of the Virtual Aerospace Show Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

Webinar: Reciprocating Pump Vibrations & Pulsation Analysis

For this 3rd webinar, VIBRATEC will talk about reciprocating pumps, where our Panel of Experts Cyril Gaumain and Loic Ancian will discuss everything and anything related to vibration phenomenon including definition, sources, assessment, criteria and case studies with actual mitigation actions applied before finishing off this 1-hour session with interactive Q&A session. 

Day / Date: Wednesday March 24th, 2021

Local time:
– 9:00-10:00 UTC+1 (Continental Europe)
– 12:00-13:00 UTC+4 (UAE)
– 16:00-17:00 UTC+8 (Malaysia)

Duration: 60-90 minutes

Key topics include:

• Reciprocating pump overview
• Pulsation vs mechanical excitation
• Vibration analysis & Baseplate design
• Pulsation analysis as per API674
• Case studies with actual mitigation actions
• “Live” Q&A

Register now!

Train with VibraTec – because sharing and transmission are part of our DNA.

Three sessions will be held in the coming weeks:

• The “Electromagnetic Noise” program: discover basic electric motor operation & power supply, the efforts & magnetic phenomena involved, the phenomena capable of producing electromagnetic noise in electric machines. Learn how to set up an experimental and numeric method to understand the vibratory behavior of electric machines. Distance learning session on the mornings of March 22, 23, 25 & 26 (CET) with Sylvestre, Jean-Baptiste & Martin.
• The “Signal Processing” program: providing an overview of various signal processing methods applied to acoustics and vibration, characteristics and criteria to choose among the different types of treatment. Session in Ecully (Lyon, France) on March 30 & 31 with Hugo & Renaud.
• The “Resistance / Stress Reliability Approach” training: present the issues of reliability / life cycle management in product development, discover the ‘stress/resistance’ approach and its application to design. Session in Ecully (Lyon, France) on April 7 & 8 with Anne & Brice.

All our training programs are based on concrete cases from more than 30 years of experience in all industrial sectors. Our software and hardware are of various brands, allowing us to use the tools best suited to your needs.

VibraTec is a training center recognized by the French administration and French professional training funding centers.

Indirect rail acoustic roughness measurements using an onboard system

Indirect rail roughness measurement makes it possible to estimate the acoustic quality of a railway infrastructure without space or time constraints. Several indirect measurement systems for rail acoustic roughness exist, based on different vibro-acoustic sensors. However, these systems present a number of limitations that VibraTec has overcome with its unique hybrid numerical/experimental approach.

Numerical simulations serve to select the best set of sensors (type, number and position), making it possible to overcome any potential frequency limitations. Numerical simulation also takes the influence of track dynamics into account. Experimental calibration completes the roughness measurement methodology.

This work was developed in the framework of the French project MEEQUAI (on-board MEasurement of railway Infrastructure Acoustic QUality). The project involved a partnership with the Joint Research Unit in Environmental Acoustics at the Université Gustave Eiffel (UMRAE) and the French national railway company SNCF.

Listen to Anna-Rita TUFANO’s presentation at the e-Forum Acusticum in December 2020.

Contact us for more information.

This project was partially financed by the European Union through the ERDF.

Even small successes deserve to be celebrated.

1500 followers! Yess!

We’ve reached the 1500 followers milestone and it’s time to celebrate…

We are excited to have 1500 followers. Next goal: 2000!

The entire VibraTec team thanks you for trusting us.

Register for our upcoming webinars in collaboration with our partner SPIN.

VibraTec proud to organize 1st LIVE-I public event in 2021

The LIVE-I project, short for Lightening and Innovating transmission for improving Vehicle Environmental Impacts, seeks to achieve breakthrough technological progress in the design of lightweight gear transmissions and to build an innovative training network. The consortium, coordinated by the Ecole Centrale de Lyon (France), is composed of 6 universities and 6 industrial partners, and includes institutions from European and non-European countries to build a strong and fruitful joint experience in cooperation and research.

The 1^st event this year is a day dedicated to “Noise Vibration Harshness of gear transmissions”, organized by @VTC on January 25^th. This training day, open to the public, offers the opportunity to better understand the physics that control noise and vibration of gears. Christian CLERC, Alexandre CARBONELLI, Jessica NEUFOND, Jean-Baptiste DUPONT, and Joël PERRET-LIAUDET (ECL) will share the floor throughout the day.

After a reminder of the theory and mechanisms that cause vibrations and sound radiation (from the contact forces between the teeth to the dynamic response of the casing), modeling tools and their use to solve industrial cases will be presented. Finally, recent developments on the simulation of complex gears and on the coupling with electric machines will be presented.

Knowledge of these phenomena is gaining importance with the development of hybrid and electric motor vehicles, but is also pertinent in other areas of industry.

Participants from both academia and industry are welcome. Maximum number is 50. Participation is free of charge: registration is mandatory before January 20^th, 2021.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 860243.

LIVE-I is a

• MSCA (Marie Skłodowska-Curie action)
• ITN (Innovative Training Network)
• EID (European Industrial doctorate)

VibraTec – designing pragmatic, innovative solutions

The ICTUS project (Instrumented engine Cradle for the TUrboprop demonstrator ground teSt) consisted in the design, manufacturing and qualification of the Tech-TP aircraft engine cradle. The project had four major objectives:

• Design for flight and manufacture of the cradle supporting the engine and nacelle,
• Provide a dedicated cradle instrumentation to manage loads, temperature and vibration,
• Address the engine air flow environment,
• Measure operational static & dynamic engine loads.

The ICTUS program has strongly contributed to the delivery of the first key demonstrator in Cleansky2 with the manufacturing of the cradle. The proposed instrumentation combined to the development of advanced test methods offers a major breakthrough to improve the exploitation of static engine test beds. It opens new ways to predict the engine interface within its aircraft environment for both engine and aircraft manufacturers.

More information here.

This project has received funding from the CleanSky 2 Joint Undertaking (JU) under grand agreement n° 785564. The EC receives support from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and members of the EC CleanSky 2 other than the Union.

The JU Cleansky 2 is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information on this page.

FIV Webinar: all about Flow-Induced Vibration in piping

Registration for our 2021 training programs is open!

NEW this year: training courses 💯% ONLINE

To address the challenges of the current health situation, we have created 4 half-day modules:

• the Fundamentals of acoustics,
• the Fundamentals of vibration,
• the Fundamentals of signal processing,
• Implementing instrumentation.

It is also possible to consider an online format for most of our standard training courses.

Open sessions

We still organize open sessions at fixed dates. You can also train a group of employees in sessions that can take place anywhere in the world, on your premises or any suitable location.

Full-flex programs

All our training programs can be customized or combined on demand to target the specifics of your business, application or tools (hardware, software).

FNE-supported training

In these times of partial activity, the French FNE finances the implementation of training actions for French companies within a precise framework:

• you are or have been on temporary part-time due to Covid,
• you volunteer to take a training course during these hours,
• the training is provided by a #datadock or #qualiopi referenced organization, – VibraTec is referenced DataDock 👍

Come to Ecully in January for:

• Rotor Dynamics training on the 12^th
• Finite Element Model Updating training on the 13^th – 14^th
• Railway Noise & Vibration Control training from the 19^th to the 21^st
• Vibration-Induced Pipework Failure training on the 26^th -27^th
• Fundamentals of Vibration online module on the 28^th

Interested? Just contact our training department for further information. 😊

VibraTec webinar: Acoustic-Induced Vibration

VIBRATEC is proud to host its own WEBINAR on Acoustic-Induced Vibration (AIV). Join us to know how to deal with AIV to avoid piping failures downstream of critical safety devices. Our Panel of Experts discuss everything and anything related to AIV phenomenon including definition, sources, assessment, criteria and case studies with actual mitigation actions applied before finishing off this 1-hour session with interactive Q&A session.

Register here

ATCx Automobile – November 19th 2020 : Acoustics of electric traction drives: from multiphysical simulation to multicriteria optimization

Virtual conference organized by Altair on the challenges of the automotive industry. Numerical simulation applications to deal with these challenges will be presented by major companies of the sector. VibraTec will be presenting on the day dedicated to e-mobility. 

Vibratec will present the benefits of  applying vibroacoustic optimization of the electric motors’ electromagnetic design using dedicated numerical methods, and the importance to consider the manufacturing tolerances in order to design silent and robust motors.

“Business as usual” during lockdown

During this new lockdown period, all VibraTec Group employees are committed to accompanying you: you can count on us.

The staff of VibraTec SA, MicrodB and VibraTeam are mobilized. Working conditions are adapted to maintain our activity while protecting the health and safety of all.

The activity continues, both on-site and in homeoffice:

• We continue to perform on-site missions (respecting sanitary measures).
• Ongoing projects and studies continue normally.
• We remain available and attentive to your needs.

VibraTec offers a technical course in the form of 5 webinars on electric motor + gearbox sub-assemblies (E-powertrain, electric actuators, gear drives, etc) (given in French with English presentations).

Webinar n°1: Introduction and challenges (June 16^th 11h30-12h)

This webinar will present:

• NVH issues associated with E-powertrains and other electric motor + gearbox sub-assemblies,
• Possible approaches in the design phase (technical aspects and integration of NVH in the design process).
• A state-of-the-art of existing tools and methods to control the NVH performance of E-Powertrains and other electric motor + gearbox sub-assemblies.

Webinar n°2: Electric machines (June 24^th 14h-15h)

This webinar will detail the physical phenomena that make an electric machine a source of noise and vibration, from magnetic excitations to the vibration and noise generated by machines and their modal behavior. At each step of the process, important points will be highlighted and key indicators will be given.

Webinar n°3: Gearboxes and Gear Drives (June 25^th 14h-15h)

This webinar will analyze the physical phenomena that make a gear transmission a source of noise and vibration, from the excitations to the vibration and noise generated by the gearbox to the dynamic phenomena of excitation amplification. Orders of magnitude will be indicated and the main technical nodes will be detailed for each step of the process.

Webinar n°4: Optimum multi-stress design (July 1^st, 14h-15h)

This webinar will present the latest methods we use to very significantly reduce E-Powertrains excitations: sound power, forces transmitted to the receiving structure and torque pulsations. The overall approach based on optimization algorithms will be presented and then applied to gear systems and electric motors. A few industrial examples will illustrate the gains obtained with these methods.

Webinar n°5: Integration in the final application (July 2^nd, 14h-15h)

The successful acoustic integration of an “electric motor + gearbox” assembly in its final application: our last webinar will address this topic, by recalling the principles of solid-state transfer and aerial transfer, with specificities related to E-Powertrains. The numerical tools and experimental methods used will also be presented.

Speakers :

 Sylvestre LECURU, Head of Auto Business Unit
At VibraTec since 2007

 Alexandre CARBONELLI, PhD, Expert in Gears
at VibraTec since 2012

 Jean-Luc WOJTOWICKI, Project Manager
at VibraTec since 2011

FATIGUE is an important criterion in your activities, but this subject raises questions?

Do you qualify your products by endurance tests?

Your products are subjected to mechanical loads under vibratory environment and you want to know the impact on their lifetime?

You wish to build a customized test equivalent to the lifetime of your future product?

You will find the answers to your questions in the two themes of our Fatigue webinar (given in French):

1. Building a Iso-damage Fatigue Test Specification – Wednesday, April 29th from 2 to 3pm
2. The contribution of digital technology in fatigue design – Thursday, April 30 from 2 to 3 pm

During these sessions, we will address your questions, regardless of your sector of activity:

• How to determine mechanical loads under a vibratory environment?
• How to build a severe iso-damage test?
• How to set up a fatigue analysis method?
• How to ensure its endurance tests in the design phase with simulation?

Our specialist on the subject, Anne COULON (more than 10 years of experience at VibraTec),  will present a methodology, concrete examples and will of course answer your questions.

Sign up now:

• Building a Iso-damage Fatigue Test Specification – Wednesday, April 29th at 2pm
• The contribution of digital technology in fatigue design – Thursday, April 30 at 2pm

Optimizing E-Powertrain acoustic treatment

The ability to rank E-powertrain components in terms of acoustic power is essential to E-powertrain design. A useful second step is to evaluate acoustic treatment effectiveness.

VibraTec has built a test bench to address these needs, especially for MHEV components up to 45 kW. Several microphone arrays are used to measure acoustic maps of the powertrain installed on the bench. Within 2 weeks, the components responsible for the majority of the acoustic power are identified; 7 configurations are tested and ranked in terms of effectiveness.

No need for an anechoic chamber; this acoustic power measurement based on MicrodB’s (VibraTec subsidiairy) innovative methods can be implemented in most test bench facilities.

More information, training programs and expert consultation here.

NVH performance characterization of MHEV, PHEV and BEV cars

CO2 regulations for cars are forcing manufacturers to develop electric cars. In this booming market, high-value NVH data is needed to implement competitive technical strategies. Thanks to its test facilities and know-how, VibraTec carries out comparative electric vehicles studies, from the characterisation of their components (motor, gearbox, etc.) to transfer path analysis (TPA) of the powertrain as a whole, including rolling noise contribution analysis.

We offer full characterization of vehicle or component NVH performances following client best practice needs / requirements:

• Compliance with OEM internal procedures,
• Reliable results based on large experience in NVH.

Today, VibraTec has characterized the following models:

• Hyundai KONA : BEV with 1 E-Powertrain at the front
• Golf GTE :  PHEV with 1 Electric motor (P2)
• Jaguar I Pace : BEV with 2 E-Powertrains (4WD)
• Tesla Model X : BEV with 2 E-Powertrains (4WD)
• Volvo XC90 TE: PHEV with 1 ICE at the front and 1 E-Powertrain on rear axle.

Which new model are you interested in?

For more information

E-powertrain design to reach performance and NVH targets

Often, the first E-powertrain prototype does not correspond to NVH specifications. At this stage, there is little time for re-design, and only slight modifications are possible to address NVH requirements without performance loss.

VibraTec has developed a multiphysics optimization algorithm that takes client targets and constraints into account. The algorithm optimizes several parameters, virtually guaranteeing that NVH specifications will be respected.

With a unique combination of gear and electric motor optimization,  VibraTec’s algorithm reduces acoustic power levels at critical operating points by at least 5 dB, and up to 20 dB in certain cases. NVH specifications are fulfilled, performance and manufacturing processes are maintained and no acoustic treatment is required.

More information, training programs and expert consultation here.

Clean Sky’s CANOBLE – New architecture, new cockpit… new noise experience

Cockpit and cabin noise is of primary importance in the design of new aircraft. Cabin noise is a source of discomfort, whereas cockpit noise is a source of risk for pilots resulting in communication difficulties and fatigue.

Mastering the excitation, transmission path and noise radiation that create cabin noise is a key challenge to design the next generation of aircraft. The CANOBLE project (CAbin NOise from Boundary Layer Excitation) developed and validated innovative engineering methods and tools up to TRL5 for the design phase study of noise generated inside the cockpit and cabin by the external turbulent boundary layer.

The project began by developing new technologies: MEMs digital microphones array for the measurement of the wall pressure surface excitation and a numerical workflow to predict the interior noise, combining RANS CFD data, empirical models and vibroacoustic FEM solvers. These technologies were then validated in a dedicated academic wind tunnel.

In parallel, a full-scale mockup was designed and manufactured. Various structural components of interest were instrumented. A dedicated interior cavity welcomed interior acoustic measurements, including intensity probes and a 3D acoustic array to quantify the radiated power and to identify the most emissive structure-borne path. Wind tunnel testing was conducted covering a large range of configurations for various flow conditions. The last part of the program focused on exploitation with the setup of the full scale test data base, the development and the validation of virtual prototypes.

The CANOBLE project is a major breakthrough towards the state-of-the-art, offering new engineering methods including both prediction and test solutions, to address interior noise. Validated on a full scale aircraft mockup, the CANOBLE technologies also open new fields of investigation for other industries, such as automotive and railway transportation.

Watch our video presenting the entire project.

Read more on European R&D program Clean Sky’s website.

Further reading:

• Leneveu R., Salze E., 2020, Cabin noise from boundary layer excitation : full-scale wall pressure measurement and vibroacoustics transmission, Aerospace Europe Conference, Bordeaux, France
• Paper will be presented on Wednesday 26^th February 2020 at 3:20PM (Session 31) at the next Aerospace Europe Conference  in Bordeaux, France

Gain computation time with VibraTec’s digital planetary gear model

This dynamic model of a complete planetary gear train, from the characterization of internal excitation to the vibratory state of the system at a stabilized regime, makes it possible to take account of the flexibility of the various components (shaft, bearing, wheel body, etc) with very short computation times. VibraTec’s know-how in digital model validation with real-life testing is highlighted; transmission error and housing vibrations were measured on two planetary gears with differing tooth profiles.

Static input/output transmission errors measured on planetary gears will be presented, accompanied by the housing’s vibration levels for various running regimes. These results are compared to digital model predictions developed during Jessica Neufond’s doctoral thesis [1].

The dynamic model has several advantages compared to those from literature: a complete 3-dimensional finite element model, an iterative spectral method reducing computation time to a minute per stationary regime, inclusion of coupled and simultaneous interactions between contact conditions for each meshing with a micro-geometric description of the gearing, and finally, validation by computation/measurement comparison.

These results, achieved through collaboration in the Ladage (VibraTec and the LTDS, Ecole Centrale de Lyon), will be presented on February 17^th 2020 at the upcoming  Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Structural Dynamics & Vibroacoustics in Naples.

Contact us for more information.

Trainee satisfaction in 2019

At VibraTec, our clients’ opinions are important for the evolution of our diverse activities, to guarantee that we stay in touch with client needs.

Our 106 external trainees gave us a score of 8.8/10 for our 2019 training programs. The score reached 9/10 for all 152 people trained throughout the year.

What was appreciated? Our dynamic staff, attentive to specific needs and able to meet them, adapting as required.

What should be improved? The duration of our programs.

Our 2020 sessions will take this into account, aiming to increase trainee satisfaction without sacrificing key program content.

Many thanks to our training team, whose work has been recognized and appreciated. We also thank all those who trust us for their training, and whom we hope to see again in 2020.

TRANSIT – Railway noise R&D for cost-effective vehicle certification

VibraTec and MicrodB are active players in railway research: within the Shift2Rail project TRANSIT, we are working on noise source characterization and separation in order to develop new and more efficient techniques for the railway industry and vehicle certification.

Our contribution aims to improve modelling approaches for the integration of noise sources such as compressors, HVAC and traction systems on the vehicle. We combine numerical simulations with our in-house tool SONOR and MicrodB’s well-proven acoustic arrays and imaging techniques.

TRANSIT was launched last December; we are looking forward to cooperating with our partners from leading European universities and companies.

Why wait to schedule your 2020 training programs?

NEW this year!  Vehicle E-Powertrain Integration. Two days to understand E-powertrain NVH specificities and lead an E-powertrain integration project.

The first sessions in 2020 are in January: three topics will be addressed:

• Vibration Control in the Oil & Gas Industry on the 15^th and 16^th,
• Railway Acoustics & Vibration from the 21^st to 23^rd,
• Finite Element Model Updating on the 29^th and 30^th.

Specific web pages give the schedule for our Open programs given at our Headquarters in France. We also organize all of our courses on demand on-site for clients worldwide who wish to train groups of employees together, focusing on their specific field / job.

Referenced as an official training center since 1989 and registered on the French “DataDock”, VibraTec offers courses centered on industrial vibration, acoustics, reliability, signal processing and related fields targeting engineers and technicians.

Feel free to contact our training department for more information.

Extend asset service life thanks to VibraTec’s expertise in fatigue analysis and approach to evaluate remaining life

Remaining life provides visibility of the structure’s future life to anticipate difficulties and guarantee long-term quality of service. Analysis of this parameter is an important part of asset management for structures designed to last for decades, like railway transportation networks.

In this specific case, the method quantitatively assesses the remaining life of railway network car bodies. Operation and maintenance road maps serve as guides to reach service life objectives.

Structural modification can also be evaluated to optimize life duration, providing support for investment teams, helping them optimize their asset management strategy.

Quality control is of utmost importance to industrialists

VibraTec is able to assist clients with completely adapted and bespoke solutions.

VibraTec and Aptiv recently worked together to develop a contact force test rig to validate product quality on the production line.

And it’s a success !

Converting data into information to improve structural diagnosis

A step back on how to best use the wide variety of Machine Learning tools and data processing in predictive maintenance applications.

The aim is to present a flexible methodology that can be generalized to predictive maintenance problems. How to adapt raw signal pre-processing according to objectives ?

The outcome of this work comes from the diverse projects carried out at VibraTec. With the current massive development of these technologies, it is important to select and master those that are most appropriate.

“Science without conscience is but the ruin of the soul”. Anyone can use Machine Learning; it is important to understand its potential and limitations to do so properly.

International conference on gears 2019 (VDI Munich)

Contact: Alexandre Carbonelli

MHEV, PHEV and BEV vehicle benchmarking

CO₂ regulation of passenger cars forces automotive manufacturers to develop electrified vehicles. In this booming market, high-value NVH data is needed to define competitive technical strategies. VibraTec has the test capabilities and know-how to benchmark electrified vehicles from sub-system characterization (motor, gearbox, etc) to full powertrain Transfer Path Analysis (TPA), including rolling noise contribution analysis.

We provide full characterization of vehicle or subsystem NVH performances following client good practice needs / requirements:

• Compliance with OEM internal procedures,
• Reliability of results based on large NVH experience.

After other makes, VibraTec is currently benchmarking the Hyundai Kona and plans to measure other models in the future.

For more information

Optimization of E-Powertrain acoustic treatment

The ability to rank E-powertrain components in terms of acoustic contribution is essential to e-powertrain design. A useful second step is to evaluate acoustic treatment effectiveness.

VibraTec has built a test bench to address these needs. Several microphone arrays are used to measure acoustic maps of the powertrain installed on the bench. Within 2 weeks, the components responsible for the majority of the acoustic power are identified; 7 configurations are tested and ranked in terms of effectiveness.

No need of an anechoic chamber, tests can be realized anywhere.

More information, training programs and expert consultation here.

E-powertrain design to reach performance and NVH targets

Often, the first E-powertrain prototype does not correspond to NVH specifications. At this stage, there is little time for re-design, and only slight modifications are possible to address NVH requirements without performance loss.

VibraTec has developed a multiphysics optimization algorithm that takes client targets and constraints into account. The algorithm optimizes several parameters, virtually guaranteeing that NVH specifications will be respected.

On the whole, VibraTec’s algorithm reduces acoustic power levels at critical operating points by at least 5 dB, and up to 20 dB in certain cases. NVH specifications are fulfilled, performance and manufacturing processes are maintained and no acoustic treatment is required.

More information, training programs and expert consultation here.

Experimental validation of numeric planetary gear set behavior

The numerical model developed during Jessica NEUFOND’s thesis on the dynamic behavior of planetary gears has been validated by a campaign measuring a variety of planetary gears presenting a large number of tooth profile modifications. From the characterization of static transmission error to the vibratory state of the housing, the experimental data were compared to the numerical results from a dynamic model, validating the developed model.

These results, achieved through collaboration in the Ladage (VibraTec and the LTDS – Ecole Centrale de Lyon), will be presented at the upcoming International Conference on Gears in Munich.

Contact us for more information.

Acoustic transparency of Alberich coatings under high water pressure: coupled simulation method

This innovative simulation method estimates the acoustic behavior of elastomeric coatings taking into account the influence of temperature and pressure conditions. The implemented procedure is based on the coupling between a nonlinear static simulation (taking into account the hyperelastic nature of the involved materials) and a linear acoustic simulation (taking into account the viscoelasticity of the materials).

This type of method is used for optimizing underwater coatings; VibraTec is an innovative player in the field.

The method is applicable to estimate the acoustic performance of any system incorporating elastomers under stress (seals, absorbent coatings, etc).

For more information

Bearing and gear fault detection using Machine Learning

Maintenance services are beginning to use conditioned-based maintenance with vibration sensors. New methods in signal post-processing are being coupled with Machine Learning (ML) algorithms.

The method proposed by VibraTec is to add a qualitative analysis in case of fault detection (bearing or gear faults, etc.)

This new step helps maintenance services to focus more efficiently on the faulty part of the system, inducing more rapid repair. This involves less downtime, leading to significant gains in productivity.

This research work was developed for maintenance services, in order to increase the efficiency, maintenance scheduling, and organization.

The work, focusing on the railway sector, was developed in the scope of the Run2Rail project (Shift2Rail). However, it can be applied to any industrial sector (aeronautics, automotive, etc.).

Annual Meeting : French Mechanics Association Rotating Equipment Committee

VibraTec is working on a new approach to early gear fault detection. This vibration monitoring method detects, locates and characterizes the evolution & criticality of bearing and tooth faults. Large quantities of data are collected; classification is performed with AI algorithms.

Renaud BERTONI presented this method on June 4^th at the annual French Mechanics Association Rotating Equipment Committee meeting at Honeywell-Garrett France’s headquarters in the Vosges. This committee, composed of academia and industrial partners, meets once a year to discuss scientific & technological issues pertaining to rotating equipment (digital and experimental aspects). Meetings are also the occasion to visit industrial installa

VibraTec is a longtime member and acting secretary, sharing its technical developments relating to rotating equipment.

Railway monitoring: Autonomous Embedded Vibroacoustic

The development of communication tools and electronic components, the increase in computation capabilities and the enhancement of MEMS sensors make it possible to design an efficient Proof Of Concept (POC) for corrugation analysis. This embedded system provides timely information about the state of the rail infrastructure.

This prototype solution dedicated to railway maintenance management was developed in order to prevent rail corrugation effects on the track and on rolling stock.

The paper focuses on the rail corrugation monitoring system developed in the scope of the MAVICO project.

XIX International Wheelset Congress: “IWC” in Venice, 16th -20th June, 2019

Vibratec presents new methods to estimate railway rolling noise.

Rolling noise can now be estimated by combining laboratory measurements, e.g. sound pressure, with STARDAMP calculations. The developed procedure allows to account for real operating conditions (speed, load, track conditions) when it comes to design new wheels and railway dampers.

The new methods were developed in a cooperation with our client BONATRANS, a leader in wheelset and damper design.

Our railway acoustics expert Martin Rissmann will present our new methods at the IWC 2019 in Venice. He will be happy to meet you there.

International Congress: “SIA POWER TRAIN & ELECTRONICS” in Port Marly (Paris), 11 -13th June, 2019

Multi-objective optimization of electrical machines including NVH, energy and thermal considerations

Vibratec will present a paper at the international congress “SIA POWER TRAIN & ELECTRONICS3 at Port Marly (Paris).

This paper describes a new method to optimize the electromagnetic design of electric motors in order to minimize the radiated noise under mechanical, efficiency and thermal constraints

This noise is closely related to the electromagnetic design of the machine. Taking it into account right from the design stage keeps it under control. The advantages are many: high quality products, time and money savings (no later design changes, no heavy and expensive countermeasures). This methodology relies on a multi physical model involving all the electro mechanical parameters of the motor. It is included in a multi-objective, multi-constraint optimization process.

This optimization process has been implemented for several motor manufacturers in the field of automotive and railway industry.

Learn more about motor optimization.

European Test and Telemetry Conference (ETTC 2019)

A new vision for the MRO market

VibraTec will attend the next ETTC 2019 conference, on June 11-13^th 2019 in Toulouse, France.

Renaud Bertoni and Lionel Duvermy will introduce a new approach for gear and bearing fault detection.

VibraTec develops a prognostic process to monitor the mechanical behavior of the driving chain.

Applied on a dedicated Health Monitoring Systems (HMS) test bench, a review of the methodology is proposed, from instrumentation to the classification using Machine Learning process.

25th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference, 20-23 May 2019, Delft, Netherlands

Validation with experimental data of a heterogeneous turbulent wall pressure fluctuation model in a FEM structural context

Romain Leneveu will present our last development to address noise and vibration transmission due to the wall pressure fluctuations induced by turbulent boundary layers.

In the frame of the CLEANSKY 2 CANOBLE project, VibraTec and their partners Ecole Centrale de Lyon and GIE S2A have developed and validated a numerical strategy with experimental data to take into account non-uniform turbulent boundary layer profiles into a vibroacoustic FEM response when the structure is loaded by turbulent wall pressure fluctuations. Comparison with experimental data will be presented and discussed.

Session IN/SA-03, on May 23^rd 2019 at 2PM

Vehicle Symposium EVS32 « A world of E MOTION » in Lyon (France), May 19 – 22nd, 2019

Acoustic optimization of electric powertrain

Vibratec will be present on May 20th at EVS32 Lyon.

Henri Saucy will present our latest development in optimization of electric powertrains: methods, tools, and application to automotive cases.

The powerful algorithms used by Vibratec and its customers to design energy efficient e-motors allowed significant acoustic gains, removing tonal peaks and lowering overall sound level.

This new offer expands Vibratec already wide range of services to support the EV and HEV industry: acoustic troubleshooting, simulation, and NVH integration of the e-motor in the vehicle.

Most major actors of the electric vehicle world already trust Vibratec: car manufacturers, motor and accessories suppliers.

There are no passengers on spaceship earth.

The VibraTec Group guides its clients toward eco-friendly solutions whenever possible, and also encourages the use of public transportation, cycling and carpooling among its employees.

In this context, AirFrance’s CO₂Zero program supporting CO₂OL provided us a good way to compensate our air travel carbon footprint by helping to reforest the Panama Canal Zone. To date, over 7.5 million trees have been planted, 15 endangered species have a new habitat and 150 jobs have been created.

Acoustic Optimization of E-Machines

Minimizing e-machine noise levels without impacting energy efficiency is now possible thanks to VibraTec’s new acoustic optimization method.

This innovative algorithm generates modifications of rotor and stator geometry, drastically reducing unwanted vibration and noise for a given set of operating conditions.

Working in close cooperation with its customer on the design of an automotive traction motor, and focusing on a specific tonal noise in the center of the machine speed range, VibraTec achieved a 14 dB reduction in sound power level on an order tracking.

VibraTec provides a vast range of services in the acoustic design and optimization of electric machines: support in pre-design to choose the quietest architecture from the beginning, vibro-acoustic simulation, integration in complete vehicle FE-models, experimental characterization of noise sources and high speed test benches.

VIBRATEC is now proposing a maintenance aid service for railway networks

VIBRATEC has been involved in track and rolling stock dynamic behavior analysis for over 30 years, using both measurement techniques in operation and interaction models between rail and rolling stock.

Using its expertise, VIBRATEC is now proposing a maintenance aid service. This service is based on two approach, experimental and numerical:

• a smart autonomous monitoring system to detect rail defects (squat, corrugation, squealing,…),
• a digital (virtual) approach to evaluate the remaining life of your rolling stock and rail.

Data are not only used for condition monitoring but also to prompt maintenance operations.  VIBRATEC’s asset management aims to shift from a reactive maintenance mode to a proactive one; to ensure the durability of your asset and to optimize the exploitation to extend the service life of the rail and the rolling stock.

See the video

Contact: Anne COULON – tel 04.72.86.65.48 – anne.coulon@vibratec.fr

ShareLab – invite yourself to VibraTec !

Do you wonder about the vibration or acoustic behavior of your products and think that measurements would clarify things ?

VibraTec welcomes you to our lab and gives you free access to our sensors, data acquisition systems and facilities.

One day a month, you can set up shop at one of our test benches (with or without gantry crane) or in our semi-anechoic chamber and use our large stock of equipment (microphones, accelerometers, acoustic arrays, multi-channel analyzers, recorders, etc.) An in-house expert will be on hand to get you started.

Take advantage of this opportunity: schedule the date, then just come and install your equipment, do your testing and leave with results that you can analyze back in the office.

Sign up now: our dates this fall:

• February 1^st
• March 1^st
• March 29^th

IAViC – Kuala Lumpur, Nov 21st and 22nd, 2018

The International Applied Vibration Conference is organized by the IMM vibration committee, the largest technical committee that represents the Vibration community in Malaysia. The IMM vibration committee consist of industry leaders as well as senior technical specialists from leading organization such as Petronas, Shell, Woodgroup, VibraTec, Serba Dinamik, RZF Engineering, Baytech and AFCM as well as renowned academicians from UTM, UiTM, UM, UTAR, USM and UNIKL. In addition to that, senior engineers from government agencies such as SIRIM, the R&D arm of the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Malaysian Navy are also active members of the organizing committee.

As part of the Vibration Committee member, VibraTec is invited as key speaker and exhibitor at the conference. Our co-founder Nicolas Vincent will be delivering a topic on “A Methodology for Railway Ground Borne Noise and Vibration Prediction”. Come to meet our technical team at our exhibition stand which we will showcase our latest technologies and methodologies used in vibration control, survey and maintenance.

Venue: Park Royal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 21st & 22nd Nov 2018 
Time: 9am to 6pm (registration starts at 8:30am)
Delegate single pass: RM 1000
Delegate group pass: RM 2500 (3 pax)
Student pass: RM 200 (please provide student ID)

Rail Safety Seminar – Singapore, Nov 19th, 2018

Rail systems are complex and long loved with many stakeholders. From early design, right through to commissioning / operation, it is important to have the ongoing assurance that they can operate safely. In collaboration with DNV GL, VibraTec is organising complimentary seminar where we cover the different aspects from Vibration Design and Diagnosis to 3^rd Party testing (concrete sleepers, bridge bearing, rail track, etc.), advisory services and software to mitigate risk for your rail projects. VibraTec Railway Expert, Nicolas Vincent will be covering several technical topics, plus many case studies to share during the networking lunch and coffee breaks.

Date: 19.11.2018

Time: from 11:45am – 6:00pm

Venue: DNV GL Singapore Laboratory, 158A Gul Circle, Singapore 629616

Please contact us for more information.

Jessica Neufond will represent VibraTec in Le Mans on 15-16 Nov at the Young Researchers’ Days in vibrations, Acoustics and Noise

She will present results of a study of the vibroacoustic behavior of planetary gears, from the determination of internal excitation to the vibration state of the housing.

The method developed reduces computation time (under an hour for a complete simulation) while using the real gearbox geometry.

This study focuses on planetary gear whining noise by determining internal excitation by simultaneously taking into account all meshings to include coupled interactions. The dynamic response is then calculated at any point in the housing via the resolution of the coupled equations of motion in the spectral domain and via an iterative process. Finally, experimental testing was performed to compare calculation and measurement results.

This is the subject of Jessica’s CIFRE thesis, in partnership with the Laboratory of Tribology and Systems Dynamics (LTDS, Ecole Centrale de Lyon) resulting from the common Ladage laboratory. VibraTec‘s expertise on the topic of gears is thus extended to the case of planetary gears.

SIA CTTM Automotive NVH congress – Le Mans, October 17th & 18th, 2018

« Quietness mobility of the Future »

Exterior noise or interior acoustic comfort, Vibratec is on every field.

Concerning Pass-by-noise, Pascal Bouvet will show new methodologies, tools and practical solutions from the funded R&D project EcOBEx

Aurélien Cloix will present a common work with PSA on multi physics modelling for the integration of loudspeakers into automotive doors.

Plus many other subjects to share at the coffee break. Eager to see you there.

Automotive Noise and Vibration Congress India 9-10 October 2018

Two technical papers will be delivered by our Head of Transport Department Dr Pascal BOUVET on the second day of the ANV Congress (10th October 2018). We invite you to join him at there and learn more on these topics!

Paper title: Noise radiated by electric motors: simulation process and overview of the optimization approaches. Session 6: Electric Vehicles, Time: 11:40-12:10

Paper title: Pass-by noise simulation and optimization of acoustic shielding package. Session 7: Vehicle Noise II, Time: 14:00-14:30

Hybrid aero/vibro-acoustics modeling to deal with turbulent boundary layer noise & vibration

Presented by RomainLENEVEU, VIBRATEC, 2018 FFT Acoustic Simulation Conference (October 09-11, 2018 – Toulouse, France)

Turbulent boundary layer is known to be one dominant noise source in aircraft. In the frame of the CANOBLE Cleansky2 program, a hybrid aero/vibro-acoustics method has been developed to load the structural components of the fuselage within a heterogeneous turbulent wall pressure fluctuations field. Implementation will be detailed and validation with experimental data done at the ECL LMFA wind tunnel will be presented.

CM 2018 in Delft, Netherlands: Rail joint dynamic forces computations, including rail plasticity

Vibratec will present a publication which is divided in two subjects:

• Benchmark of 3D FE model compared to simplified model, to compute wheel-rail contact forces at rail joints: the objective is to validate the simplified approach in order to perform fast parametric variations
• Computations of contact force including rail plasticity using 3D FEM: the objective is to assess the influence of plasticity on the contact force amplitude.

The subject started with SNCF, for which 3D FE models were developed to compute dynamic force for fatigue assessment.

VIBRATEC then decided to enhance the model by including rail plasticity (Chaboche model) and compared it to other numerical model, in collaboration with IFSTTAR, who developed the VOCO software which is used for parametric variations

September 2018 International Railway Conference : ‘Rad-Schiene’ in Dresden

The French collaborative railway research project CERVIFER aims at accelerating Virtual Certification of Railway Systems. In this framework, computer models are used to compute the train-track interaction during the passage of switches.

From a geometrical description of a VOSSLOH switch and dynamic contact forces from measurements performed on an RATP commuter train, VIBRATEC built a multi-body model with the software VOCO, developed by IFSTTAR.

At the 16^th International Railway Conference “Rad-Schiene” in Dresden, VIBRATEC specialist Martin Rissmann will present the difficulties and challenges of such models and the need of high quality measurement data.

Dealing with gear noise of real industrial systems: an overview of the difficulties and the achievements

Alexandre CARBONELLI will present the philosophy of the research led by VibraTec in the gear dynamics field at the International Gear Conference in Lyon-Villeurbanne from August 27^th to 29^th.

 The presentation gives general feedback on the latest studies and on the position of a research engineer working in the gear dynamics field.

 Between academic science and the pragmatic constraints of the engineer’s job, it is important to have a strong expertise in order to work with the correct assumptions and the appropriate tools.

The close collaboration with the Laboratory of Tribology and System Dynamics (LTDS) of the Ecole Centrale de Lyon makes it possible to invest research efforts to answer real industrial concerns.

VibraTec – European partner for tomorrow’s cities

Horizon 2020, the European Research & Innovation Framework Program, plays an important role in local scientific and socio-economic development. Regional information sessions are organized in order to:

• Motivate the various research and innovation actors with feedback from local experience from current Horizon 2020 participants.
• Enable discussion and networking among these actors to facilitate the development of European projects.

VibraTec has participated in collaborative projects for more than 2 decades and is well-known in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alps R&D community. At a recent information session, our Scientific Director, Christian CLERC, presented one of our current European projects: MAVICO – COnnected MAintenance using VIbration measurements.

MAVICO uses dynamic response to monitor asset condition. Its original application is for tramways.

Using “expert” algorithms, the connected autonomous sensor can optimize maintenance and prevent incidents. Tomorrow, associated digital tweens will play an important role in managing both rolling stock and infrastructure lifetime.

More information on our railway activity here – contact us for other applications

Acoustic design of Trains and Tracks

Proper acoustic design of rolling stock and track requires you to assign qualitative and quantitative targets to each piece of equipment, validate your choices, and identify problematic noise sources.

The railway experts of Vibratec can help you all along this process: from the characterization of acoustic sources and airborne and structure-borne transfer paths to the simulation and measurement of interior and exterior noise as well as ground borne vibration, troubleshooting, and optimization of equipment.

Using cutting edge simulation technology and measurement methods, Vibratec has accumulated an extensive experience working to the benefit of the world leading manufacturers and most significant projects.

Don’t hesitate to vist us at Innotrans, Hall 3-2, stand 301 C6 to see how we can help you.

ASME Pressure Vessels and Piping (PVP2018) Conference – VibraTec to publish our technical developments

VibraTec will publish 3 papers at the PVP Conference in Prague next month. The articles will present an innovative method to model fluid-structure interaction in industrial piping, and also non-intrusive diagnosis.

Heavy fluid flow within industrial piping interacts with structure walls, applying an asymmetric, unsteady load. Vibrations provoked by this flow are an important phenomenon that is hard to model accurately. VibraTec is proud to present our innovative findings; a new simplified approach to modelling turbulent sources. Our progress in non-intrusive characterization of fluid loads will also be published.

Rémi SALANON and André BARAMILI will be on hand on the 17^th and 18^th of July to discuss your piping issues and answer questions.

More information available on the conference website.

Bayesian focalisation applied to wind tunnels – AIAA/CEAS conference Atlanta

Between 25^th and 29^th June 2018 will be held the 24^th AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference in Atlanta.

It is certainly one of the most famous scientific conferences in the field of flow induced acoustics. MicrodB is proudly contributing to a research paper, together with Ecole Centrale de Lyon, University of Sherbrooke and Safran Aircraft Engines. The work, entitled ‘Broadband Airfoil-Noise Source Localization by Microphone Arrays and Modeling of a Swept Free-Tip Blade’ will be presented by Gyuzel Yakhina.

It is the occasion to apply advanced microphone array techniques in complex wind tunnel configurations.

ISNVH Congress in Graz Austria: June 20th – 22nd, 2018

VibraTec will attend the 10th ISNVH Congress in Graz Austria, June 20-22. Jean-Luc Wojtowicki will be on stage to present two papers on our core expertise:

• The characterization and simulation using super element of structure borne noise sources and transfer paths in partnership with Renault and Valeo
• The optimization of the noise of e-machines and their supply (PWM)

Henri Saucy will be in the room to encourage him and to gather your comments and questions.

Eager to see you there.

Customized asset management and monitoring solutions: learn about at Achema, from 11th to 15th of June 2018

Surveillance or maintenance: ignorance is bliss?

Do not stay in the dark! Have better nights: discover our Smart Solutions to plan your maintenance and ensure the quality of your activity.

To find out more, come see us at the ACHEMA trade show in Frankfurt, 11^th to 15^th of June 2018, hall 11.0 booth A58. We will answer your questions, especially in the production, process and energy industries.

If you want free invitation, contact us.

2018 Vibratec China Activities

Started off with the NVH symposium held in Suzhou on 10 &11^th May. Vibratec Head of Automotive Department Pascal Bouvet was invited by the SAE-China NVH Committee to deliver a speech at the NVH symposium. The events allow us to meet and discuss in group around the topics about vehicle NVH control technology. Hereby, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the SEA-China NVH Committee for the invitation to speak for such a large scale event.

Alongside with our Chinese partner Yiduo Technologies, we organised and delivered a training on E-noise and Gearbox noise in Shanghai from 14-16^th May. It was very encouraging to see more than 50 attendees from major automotive players in China. Thank you Yiduo Technologies for your support in hosting the training and made it a huge success.

Stay tuned for upcoming events !

VibraTec at the ENOVA Toulouse event on the 30th and 31st of May 2018

Come and meet us on booth B10 and discuss your needs for optimizing the design of your equipment in noise, vibration, and reliability. We will also present innovative instrumentation solutions, embedded or not, for the diagnosis and control of the life cycle of your products. Among the presented solutions: the SoundCam solution developed by our subsidiary MicrodB to perform a rapid acoustic diagnosis of a complex mechanical system; and an original solution for diagnosing the components of a transmission chain.

Vibratec awarded by the CLEANSKY 2 to develop an instrumented engine cradle for the turboprop demonstrator ground test with SAFRAN Helicopters Engines

In the framework of the development of a new turboprop engine demonstrator (ENGine ITD JTP CLEANSKY 2) for the 1800-2000 thermal hp class, a full Integrated Power plant System (IPPS) will be ground tested. Derived from the ARDIDEN 3 Turboshaft engine, the engine will be equipped with new propeller and power gear box including air intake and nacelle.

VibraTec will be in charge to design, to manufacture and to qualify an instrumented engine cradle with two major objectives: the monitoring of the engine loads in operational conditions and the reduction of the vibration path to optimize the crew and passenger comfort.

LUG2 project at NOVEM 2018

MicrodB, INSA Lyon and CNRS will present a paper entitled « SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF ACOUSTIC INVERSE PROBLEMS » at NOVEM 2018 Ibiza from 7^th to the 9^th May

The characterisation of an acoustic source is achieved by retro-propagating the acoustic field measured with a microphone array to a mesh of the surface of interest. This latter step is performed by solving an inverse problem. Such inverse problems are built on the basis of a forward model prone to uncertainties arising from the physics of the experiment.

Assessing the effects of these uncertainties on the resolution of the inverse problem represents a challenge. This paper introduces a practical solution to measure these effects by conducting a sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis method applied here provides a mean to identify and rank the main sources of uncertainty through the estimation of sensitivity indices. Two inverse methods are investigated for the reconstruction of a monopole source: Beamforming and Bayesian focusing. The propagation of uncertainties is carried on numerically. The consistency between the real experiment and its numerical approximation is assessed by means of a small batch of measurements performed in a semi-anechoic chamber.

Ignorance is bliss ?

Why would you monitor your production line, when it’s so much simpler to just wait for it to break down and bring your entire activity to a full stop?

If “Ignorance is bliss” isn’t your motto, if you sleep better with your maintenance well-scheduled and a rigorous quality control, you may be interested by our Smart Solutions.

Combining multi-physics sensing with state of the art modelling and Digital Twin technology, VibraTec offers customized asset management and monitoring solutions independent of any specific hardware or software.

To learn more, come and see us at ACHEMA in Frankfurt, Germany, from 11^th to 15^th of June 2018, hall 11.0 booth A58, where we can introduce you to our experience with the manufacturing, process, and energy industry.

Come and meet VibraTec at TRA 2018

If you are interested in meeting VibraTec at TRA 2018 in Vienna on the 17^th and 18^th of April, Lucille LAMOTTE  will participate in the oral presentations and bilateral meetings organized in parallel by ETNA2020 Transport Networking and Brokerage Event focusing on the Horizon H2020 ‘Smart green and integrated Transport’ calls 2018-2020.

As an SME used to working on R&D projects on both national and international levels, we know the importance of finding the right partners for each project. ETNA is the perfect opportunity to broaden our network and increase visibility for potential European partners.

Comprehensive innovative monitoring solutions to be presented at ACHEMA

Looking for a comprehensive, innovative solution to monitor your production process or characterize your products and raw materials?

VibraTec will participate in the ACHEMA trade show in Frankfurt from June 11^th to 15^th. We will present our SmartSolutions applied to a variety of industries and processes: energy, transportation, pumps, medical devices, test benches, safety and quality control.

Come and visit us to see how we can help you boost productivity and manage your assets the smart way!

Henri, Nicolas, and Katja will be waiting for you at booth A58, Hall 11.0.

VibraTec very first railway seminar in Malaysia !

With over 30 years of involvement in the rail industry, VibraTec has a proven track record of experience and knowledge of physical phenomena on both rolling stock and infrastructures working with some of the world’s leading main line operators, urban operators, rolling stock manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and engineering companies at all stages of project development from concept and early design right through to commissioning.

In an attempt to make inroads into Asia, VibraTec is proud present its very first railway event in Malaysia this coming 26^th March which will be held at Aloft Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Amongst many with a view to showcase some of its research and technological advancement made in Europe for clientele in Malaysia. This seminar will be delivered by Brice NELAIN, our Railway specialist from France. During the seminar we will discuss subject matters related to:

• Track Studies and Maintenance
• Ground Vibration Studies
• Interior and Exterior Acoustics
• Wheel Rail Interaction
• Durability and Residual Life study

We are proud to announce that we have almost registered participants namely from Bombardier, MMC-Gamuda, Gamuda, Prasarana, Rapid Rail, Malaysia Rail Link, Scomi, Thales Group, Jacobs (CH2M), Consolis, Strand, Sepakat Setia Perundingan, MML Universal Testing & Engineering, PCE Engineering Services and etc.  

Innovate with VibraTec ! We will be at the Smart Industries event during the Global Industrie fair in Paris from 27 to 30 March

VibraTec was chosen to represent the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region as an SME with innovative products & services (predictive maintenance, innovative sensors, digital twins, etc).

Agnès Gerphagnon and Lucille Lamotte will present the group’s latest innovations, including the LMS SoundCamera developed by MicrodB and our predictive maintenance SmartSolutions connected, autonomous sensors.

The Global Industrie fair focuses on the Industry of the Future and brings together stakeholders from the entire manufacturing ecosystem and all industry sectors. It is backed by President Macron, the French government and the Industry of the Future Alliance (AIF). From March 27^th to the 30^th, almost 3 thousand exhibitors will welcome over 50 thousand visitors.

MicrodB and Siemens Industry Software will present a paper at DAGA2018

MicrodB and Siemens Industry Software will present a paper entitled “Sound Source Localization Analysis in the Combustion Cycle of ICE Powertrains” at DAGA 2018 in Munich from the 19^th to the 22^nd of March

In order to help engine manufacturers optimize powertrain noise, MicrodB and Siemens Industry Software NV propose Sound source localization techniques supported by advanced processing.

The application of a cyclic Wiener filter relying on reference cylinder pressure sensors effectively separates microphone array data into combustion and mechanical components. Sound source localization of these separated components makes it possible to identify the main sources related to combustion and mechanical noise.

The powertrain noise – mechanical and/or combustion – can also be analyzed in segments of the combustion cycle itself. This requires pre-processing in the angle domain, after which sound source localization is applied on angular ranges.

During the presentation those two processes will be described and applied to engine test bench experimental data.

The JASA (Journal of the Acoustical Society of America) chooses MicrodB as the latest Technical Area Pick in Signal Processing

The article, entitled “Instantaneous Bayesian regularization applied to real-time near-field acoustic holography”, was published on August 16^th 2017. It has been chosen among all articles related to signal processing published throughout 2017.

MicrodB’s technological developments make it possible to reconstruct non-stationary acoustic sources (closing doors, rotating sources, transitory phenomena) using acoustic imagery.

The main scientific development is to have solved the inverse problem by using a Bayesian approach that significantly increases the method’s stability. The method is also enhanced to allow the reconstruction of long signals.

We are proud to see that Thibaut LE MAGUERESSE’s PhD thesis, fully integrated in the VibraTec group’s R&D program, has achieved such professional recognition.

Non-intrusive pipe pressure measurements – a dream come true !

VibraTec is proud to present results of our work in developing a non-intrusive method to measure pressure in pipes using PVDF (PolyVinlyDiene Fluoride) sensors.

Having developed a dedicated calibrator to determine the fluid / structure coupling coefficient, VibraTec is able to assess PVDF sensor sensitivity according to specific installation characteristics at each client site.

This method avoids problems linked to pressure taps that are not positioned conveniently for these measurements. It is accurate regarding phenomenon amplitude & frequency location.

The paper will be presented at OTC Asia 2018 in Kuala Lumpur from 20th to 23rd of March.

MicrodB will be at the 7th Berlin Beamforming conference – BeBeC

March 5-6, 2018 – Berlin – Germany

This will be an opportunity to present our recent work on the evaluation of a method:  functional beamforming.

This method of source localization is in vogue in the field of aeroacoustics because it presents good results in spatial resolution.

But what about its ability to quantify the power of acoustic sources? This is what we evaluated by means of a theoretical, numerical and experimental study. The aim is to rigorously identify the strengths of this method for possible integration into our products.

This work was conducted in collaboration with Creatis as part of the ABYSSOUND research project.

Small company or multinational ? Come talk to VibraTec personnel at the INSA’s Professions Day on January 31st

VibraTec is a regular participant at this annual event organized by the INSA Lyon’s Mechanical Engineering Dept.

Four VibraTec experts will be participating this year :

• Hervé GOUTAGNY, Project Manager, will share his career experience;
• Emmanuel REYNAUD, Sales & Project Manager, will compare work in an SME and work in a multinational ;
• Cyril GAUMAIN, Head of Department, will explain how R&D is integrated in SMEs ;
• Fanny QUERVILLE will be at our stand to present current openings (internships & jobs) and review student resumés.

The VibraTec Group – actively involved in training tomorrow’s technicians and engineers

“Our continuous presence at the heart of higher education creates connections with our future clients and partners.” Christian Clerc, Scientific Director.

A few employees are on Engineering & Master’s program steering committees. Some complete Engineering school’s theory classes with concrete applications implicating state-of-the-art technology.

Others teach in technical schools throughout their 2- or 3-year programs. In this context, VibraTec opened its lab to a class of 1^st-year students from the IUT in St Etienne on December 14^th. The students shared the daily life of technicians and talked with alums who now work at VibraTec.

These diverse contacts with the reality of industrial life are an important element of each one’s career choices.

VibraTec – preparing students for the real world

This year as usual, VibraTec visited the IUT of Saint Etienne’s Applied Physics Department, helping to bridge the gap between academic theory and the reality of the working world.

VibraTec offers students the possibility to discover various examples of what a vibration – acoustics techician’s job is: concrete case studies, measurement methods & material, professional profiles, the pertinence of knowing English, etc. This helps clarify student orientation – and gives some the desire to work at VibraTec during their training and/or afterwards !

A group of students will also visit our headquarters in December to discover our lab and exchange with our teams on their day-to-day lives.

Fatigue Design 2017: Innovative numerical fatigue methodology for piping systems: qualifying Acoustic Induced Vibration (AIV)

Fatigue Design 2017 Conference in Senlis (France) from the 29th to the 30th of November will be the occasion for VibraTec to present its work on AIV fatigue methodology.

Acoustic Induced Vibration (AIV) refers to the high acoustic energy generated by pressure-reducing devices that excite pipe shell vibration modes, producing excessive dynamic stress. Analysis of this risk is an important part of Asset Integrity Management systems as AIV can cause catastrophic piping failure. Existing guidelines address this risk through an analytical assessment. However, these methodologies are limited.

The proposed approach for identifying AIV damage is based on a dynamic stress evaluation at pipe discontinuities (welded connections and supports). This evaluation is performed through a fluid-structure coupling Finite Element Analysis. Pressure fluctuations inside the pipe are predicted and coupled with a pipe structural analysis. This methodology is provided with its validation through measurement on an actual AIV field case, corresponding to a crack initiation due to AIV.

At VibraTec, working together means having each other’s backs

In addition to specific training programs to work safely and efficiently in high-security environments, VibraTec Group employees follow improvement programs defined each year by personnel representatives (CHSCT – Hygiene, Safety and Work Conditions Committee). A large part of the program is dedicated to preventive and remedial actions based on past experience / incidents.

This year, all of VibraTec personnel was given basic first aid training: to improve workplace security and also simply become more able, responsible citizens.

VibraTec participates at JAAN on the 26th and 27th of October 2017 in Toulon

VibraTec contribution to JAAN 2017 (Ollioules, France, 26^th and 27^th of October 2017): « Acoustic transparency of Alberich coatings under high water pressure: coupled simulation methodology »

VibraTec will present a coupled simulation methodology for the estimation of the acoustic transparency (as well as reflection) of rubber coatings with periodic air inclusions (as Alberich coatings) under high water pressure. These panels are made for being implemented on underwater structures. Many challenges must be addressed: the large strain of the coating under static water pressure, the highly non-linear behavior of the hyperviscolastic material, the influence of the static deformation on the acoustic behavior. The possibilities offered by this method are of utmost interest: optimizing the design of the coating and the properties of the material to improve the acoustic performance of the coating under given pressure and temperature conditions.

AIV – FIV: VibraTec’s your one-stop piping expert !

Piping vibration can lead to severe damage to main lines & auxiliary systems (small bore, thermowells etc.): vibration can induce cracks & leaks, leading to heavy maintenance and even installation shutdown. Proper understanding of the phenomena at stake is essential to prevent and mitigate these risks. VibraTec is a world-class expert that can help you keep your major piping vibration issues under control.

This year’s SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition in Jakarta (and not Bali as initally planned) from the 17th to the 19th of October will be the occasion for VibraTec Asia Pacific’s Hafiz KARIM to present two papers based on case studies respectively in AIV diagnosis & mitigation (a cracked FPSO flare network tail pipe), as well as in discontinuity-related FIV issues in pipe system design.

The perfect time to come learn more !

VibraTec E-Noise Training in Shanghai China

VibraTec, through its partner YiDuo is organizing its very first customized E-Noise training in China comprising a 3-day session on “Noise from Electromagnetic Origin” to be delivered in Shanghai from 25^th – 27^th September 2017. This training targets management, engineers and technicians working in the field of design and application of electric machines or vibroacoustics. The intended program will cover the following topics:

• Day 1: Electrical machines (architecture, operating principle and control) with their associated power converter and control strategies;
• Day 2: Noise from electrical machines and power converters (magnetic excitations, vibrational behavior, radiated noise, important parameters);
• Day 3: Examples and questions / answers.

Practical cases including illustrations from VibraTec’s own Research & Development projects in the automotive field (powertrain, power converters and electric motor) are also part of the itinerary.

The training will be delivered by one of VibraTec’s E-Noise specialists, Sylvestre LECURU.

Why wait to schedule your 2018 training programs ?

Referenced as an official training center and registered on the DataDock platform to enable public funding for our course attendees (from French companies), VibraTec offers courses centered around industrial vibration, acoustics, signal processing and related fields targeting engineers and technicians.

The 2018 catalogue gives the schedule for our Open programs given in France.

We also organize all of our courses on demand on-site for clients worldwide who wish to train groups of employees together, focusing on their specific field / job.

Feel free to contact our training department for more information.

VibraTec will be at SERMA’s Technology Days on September 21st and 22nd near Bordeaux

VibraTec and Serma will present the fruit of their collaboration regarding the reliability of mechatronic equipment. Very different, electronic and mechanical reliability are rarely studied together. The work carried out by VibraTec and Serma aimed to couple the two approaches in order to produce reliable mechatronic equipment. The resistance/stress reliability approach and specific mechatronic applications will be presented.

Presentation of two publications at the VDI – International Conference on Gears in Munich, Germany, September 14th, 2017

The VDI – International Conference on Gears – is a congress gathering the main actors in the field of gears. VibraTec has taken part in this event since 2008, with the first studies engaged through the MABCA project, focusing on the vibroacoustic characterization of cylindrical gears. This year, VibraTec will present two papers on whining noise:

• an industrial application on a train bogie with cylindrical gears,
• the adaptation of a simulation method in order to deal with planetary gears.

VibraTec’s R&D is in the pipeline !

Singularities in industrial pipelines (such as section or direction changes) are often responsible for vibrations caused by continuous internal flow. To understand and model the complex fluid source, VibraTec has been conducting innovative research combining experimental methods, instationary fluid mechanic computations and statistic tools applied to reduced-scale models.

We are proud to be sharing an overview of current results at the « Congrès Français de Mécanique » in Lille from August 28th through September 1st. 2 presentations – a great occasion to meet you and discuss these issues.

VibraTec’s training programs referenced by DataDock

VibraTec has been referenced as an official French training center for many years: we are now also registered on the DataDock platform, which centralizes information concerning French training centers to facilitate funding by “OPCA” (accredited fund-collecting / funding agencies), associations in charge of funding professional training throughout workers’ careers.

Yet another sign of VibraTec’s commitment to quality in all aspects of our activity.

Dynamic and vibroacoustic behavior of planetary gear trains – VibraTec is on the job

Manufacturers are more and more demanding when it comes to dynamic and vibroacoustic characterization of gear transmissions; this strong interest impacts several sectors, such as renewable energies (wind turbines, etc) or the automotive industry where specifications impose radiated sound levels, where clean transport implicates compact transmissions with moving axes such as planetary gear trains that require characterization.

If the vibroacoustic aspects of cylindrical gears are well understood, minimization of acoustic noise generated by planetary gear transmissions requires complementary studies.

With the aim of developing and validating efficient tools to predict the dynamic behavior of planetary gear trains, VibraTec, in collaboration with the Tribology and Dynamic Systems Laboratory (LTDS) within the framework of LabCom (common laboratory) LADAGE, is both proud and pleased to welcome Jessica NEUFOND in her CIFRE thesis addressing “Dynamic and vibroacoustic behavior of planetary gear trains”.

VibraTec – tackling railway measurement & simulation issues for more than 30 years !

VibraTec has been working in the railway field for more than 30 years and has capabilities in measurements and simulations. Two issues are growing inside the scientific community in the railway fields: maintenance with cost reduction at stake, and the environmental impact due to increasing demand in urban areas.

VibraTec is taking part in the state-of-the-art advance in these two subjects, and will present 3 papers at the upcoming ICRT Conference in ChengDu, China.

The first paper is related to maintenance. In a study performed for the SNCF (French national railway institution), a comprehensive finite element model has been set up to compute the time domain contact force due to a rail joint. Predicting the contact force will help to control the stress in the track and hence help to reduce maintenance. Both the difficulties encountered and the final results will be presented.

The two other papers are dedicated to ground-borne noise and vibration issues. First, a benchmark of soil-building numerical models has been performed with the CSTB (French national building institute of research) to compare and highlight the differences between a 2.5D FEM-BEM approach and a 3D FEM approach. Several application cases are developed to present the pros and cons of each model.

Secondly, VibraTec and Acouphen are presenting their practical methodology to characterize soil by measurements. Measurement quality is evaluated on-site by a step-by-step process. The excitation must be chosen according to preliminary results and adapted if necessary.

If you want to know more, join us in ChengDu from the 10^th to 12^th of July !

Presentation of a publication at the ATZ Automotive Acoustics Conference in Zurich, Switzerland, July 11th, 2017

VibraTec will be giving a presentation on noise from electric vehicles at the ATZ Automotive Acoustics Conference in Zurich on July 11^th.

The emergence of high frequency pure tones and an overall low noise level characterizes the drivetrain of e-vehicles. This sets specific challenges for the NVH automotive engineer.

Over the last decade, VibraTec has accumulated a vast experience in this field, and developed specific tools to calculate the dynamic response of e-machine, and sound and vibration propagation in and out of the vehicle, and help OEMs and equipment suppliers optimize their products.

Real-life examples from industrial cases will be presented illustrating different ways to mitigate sound generation, working on the power supply strategy, active electromagnetic parts, or machine structure.

Using Particle Image Velocimetry to address piping FIV issues

VibraTec is reaching a new level of innovation in the study of Flow-Induced Vibrations in piping systems: we are the first to perform coupled vibration and fluid dynamics measurements in confined flow configurations, using advanced Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) techniques. We are proud that our work on tackling the challenges of this coupled measurement campaign will be presented at the 12^th International Symposium on Particle Image Velocimetry in Busan, South Korea from June 18^th through 22^nd.

We will be at the 8th VDI conference on wind turbine vibration in Bremen/Germany on June 27th-28th, 2017

VibraTec will be at the 8^th VDI conference on wind turbine vibration in Bremen on June 27^th-28^th, 2017. We will present our expertise on experimental and numerical vibratory diagnosis techniques in this context.

 After a wind turbine was retrofitted with a new generator, much higher noise levels recorded at the foot of the tower raised concerns about its reliability. VibraTec was called to perform a thorough on-site diagnosis to determine the origin of the noise and assess the risks on the fatigue behavior of the structure. To take all possible vibration sources into account, a multi-physics approach was applied, covering electromagnetic excitation, torque pulsation, cogging torque, unbalance and bearing condition. Advanced experimental techniques such as simultaneous recording of sound pressure, current signals and accelerations were applied to assess the vibrational behavior of the wind turbine.

The results of the diagnosis gave conclusive arguments on the safety of the operation in the new conditions.

Controlling joints to improve railway infrastructure reliability

This challenge was accepted by VibraTec, who’s Brice NELAIN will be publishing study results entitled “Computation of dynamic forces generated by rail joints” at the Railway Engineering Congress in Edinburgh from June 20^th to 22^nd. He will explain how Finite Element modelling simulation was used to analyze the impact of various rail geometries on rail and rolling stock wear.

Dynamic response: a pertinent indication of structural mechanical reliability

Christian Clerc, VibraTec’s Scientific Director, will participate in a roundtable regarding “The importance of infrastructures: resilient, dynamic urban ecosystems serving connected mobility” during the « Revue annuelle des nouveaux usages consacrée à la mobilité » organized by the ANRT (National Association for Research & Technology) on June 15^th in Bezos (Paris), France.

Anticipating failures, preventing passenger discomfort and noise pollution, optimizing maintenance at reduced cost are essential elements of railway infrastructure management.

• Goal: take advantage of new IT and communication technologies to capitalize on 30 years of experience in acoustics and dynamics in the transportation field.
• Digital technology contribution: vibratory and acoustic signatures provide information regarding the condition of both rolling stock and track and can therefore be analyzed to monitor wear and prevent failure. What used to require costly and fastidious measurement campaigns can now be integrated in an autonomous connected object thanks to new technology: MEMS captors, integrated processors & wireless communication.
• Application: in the transportation field, on-board objects can be compact and intelligent, capable of measuring, analyzing and communicating in real-time the mechanical evolution of the structure or system to which they are applied. They will function on recovered vibration energy.
• The railway application addressed by the MaViCo project aims to identify, localize and monitor various defects. The final product will serve to optimize mid-term maintenance (slow wear) as well as to prevent breakdowns (broken track, leaves/deposits on the track) and to avoid noise pollution (from screeching for instance).

The Global Innovative Automotive Acoustics (NVH) summit will take place in Berlin, June 13-14, 2017.

VibraTec will participate to this event and Dr. Pascal Bouvet will present VibraTec’s innovations in the field of noise from Electric powertrain. The capabilities of VibraVolt and VibraGear softwares, respectively dedicated to the computation of noise of electric machine and noise of gearbox, will be presented as well as several industrial applications.

This premier B2B event will bring together NVH experts to ensure maximum knowledge transfer and professional exchange; elaborate on the best practices within the automotive acoustics industry, and academia to discuss, hear and learn about their experiences on automotive acoustics, to network and enjoy excellent mix of case studies, interactive panel discussions, speed networking and workshops.

Presentation of a publication at Surveillance 9 Conference in Fes, Morocco, May 22nd to 24th, 2017

The noise from “Root” type vacuum pumps is a major disadvantage to wider use. The noise sources and the mechanisms involved in these pumps are complex, strongly coupled and their modeling is delicate (3D fluid calculations in a cavity of changing geometry, coupled with a nonlinear meshing dynamic).

The collaborative project FUI ARPE (Acoustics and vibration of vacuum pumps) aims to significantly improve the multi-physical modeling of these pumps. In this context, a measurement campaign was set up, on the one hand, to recalibrate the models and, on the other hand, to establish a vibro-acoustic diagnosis of the pumps.

VibraTec will be at the Surveillance 9 Conference in Fes, Morocco, from May 22nd to 24th May, 2017, to present the measurements performed and their uses (shock detection, psycho acoustic criteria, etc.)

VibraTec Asia Pacific to be part of Rail Solutions Asia 2017

VibraTec Asia Pacific Project & Business Manager Ravindran KALIDAS will be presenting a paper addressing “Robustness and Reliability of Railway Equipment” at the Rail Solutions Asia Event in Kuala Lumpur on May 25th.

Railway equipment – both rolling stock & infrastructures – is subjected to high mechanical stress that must be integrated from the design stage. Standards have been established, but do not always guarantee reliability. This paper details the in-house methodologies (using calculation and testing) that provide more relevant input data for conception and use; realistic loads for models, realistic conditions for experimental validation, implementation of a loading database, feedback on the use of different materials and material residual life duration study results.

VIBRATEC among top NVH Specialists at the ChongQing Automotive Acoustic Summit on 27-28 April

The 2017 Chongqing Automotive Acoustic Summit is hosted by the China Automotive Engineering Research Institute Co., Ltd (CAERI), Chongqing University, and the French Society of Automotive Engineers. It is organized by the State Key Laboratory of Vehicle NVH and Safety Technology and will be held on 27-28 April 2017 in Chongqing, China.

Top NVH experts from Europe, Japan, USA and China will address the summit on the latest achievements and innovative technologies in sensitive areas such as new energy vehicle NVH, light-weight conception, new power train technologies and the future trends of global market and technology evolution.

VIBRATEC will participate in this event: Dr. Pascal Bouvet will present VIBRATEC’s innovations in the field of Electric powertrain noise. The capabilities of VibraVolt and VibraGear software, respectively dedicated to the computation of electric machine noise and gearbox noise, will be presented as well as several industrial applications.

COnnected MAintenance using VIbration measurements

MaViCO aims to develop a new generation of conditioned maintenance tool for the railway industry, using an energy-autonomous defect detector based on vibration analysis that will be capable of acquiring, processing and transmitting data in view of facilitating conditioned / predictive rail / rolling stock maintenance.

Mounted on the track, it will detect wear in specific sensitive zones of the infrastructure (switch and crossing area or transition area) and/or detect rolling stock defects (influence of the rolling stock). Mounted on the rolling stock, it will detect track wear defaults (corrugation, defective rail joints, squats, etc). 

This collaborative project, co-financed by the ADEME (French Environment & Energy Management Agency) and implicating the VapéRail and Kéolis companies as well as the LaMCoS (INSA Lyon) lab, started at the beginning of this year: the technical scope is currently being tuned to meet customer expectations.

We will be at SIAT India on Jan 21st

In the context of the upcoming reduction of Pass-By-Noise limits in EU regulations, VibraTec has participated in research programs focusing on a new procedure for the optimization of the shielding package, based on a precise 3D localization and quantification of the acoustic sources of the powertrain and on their implementation in an Energy Boundary Element model, computing acoustic propagation.

Join the Head of our Automotive Department, Mr Pascal Bouvet, who will be presenting a technical paper on this topic at the upcoming SIAT conference in India on the 21st January 2017.

MicrodB to present R&D work at the Aachen Acoustics Colloquium later this month

MicrodB will be presenting the results of a common research work with Renault on using 3D acoustic holography to reduce vehicle pass-by noise at the Automotive Acoustics Colloquium in Aachen on November 22^nd-23^rd.

In the framework of the ECOBEX research program, a new precise and efficient procedure for the 3D localization and quantification of sound sources in space has been devised and tested to help feed acoustic BEM models and design optimum acoustic shielding for vehicle powertrain.

To localize sound sources with better accuracy in space, MicrodB has developed a method based on synchronizing distinct patch measurements with standard microphone arrays located around the source and reconstructing the 3D sound field using acoustic holography and an innovative Bayesian approach. The resulting sound map is presented on a 3D model of the car engine. Alternatively, the same method can be used in engine test benches to conveniently and efficiently localize and quantify sound sources: The synchronization of patch measurements greatly simplify the lab work in an environment with limited space and accessibility while guaranteeing precise localization.

VibraTec joins the CleanSky program with CANOBLE for interior cabin noise, the sky’s the limit !

VibraTec together with the École Centrale de Lyon and GIE S2A join the CLEANSKY 2 program and the Large Passenger Aircraft platform to study wall-pressure fluctuations beneath turbulent boundary layers, for the benefit of the aeronautic industry.

The CANOBLE project (CAbin NOise from Boundary Layer Excitation) aims to develop and validate innovative engineering methods and technologies to study interior noise caused by TBL.

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