Actran 2022.1: Better acoustic simulation with strong partnership

Actran 2022.1 brings new features, improvements and bug fixes to acoustic and NVH simulation and a new workflow as part of a strong partnership with Autoneum

Mont-Saint-Guibert, Belgium, May 25, 2022 – Hexagon is proud to announce the availability of the Actran 2022.1 suite comprising of new acoustic, vibro-acoustic and aero-acoustic technologies which will provide acoustic and NVH engineers access to new tools, allow them to build more consistent and accurate models and empower them with new features that provide more flexibility.

Key highlights include:

Sensitivity analysis in Virtual SEA

It is now possible to identify key zones to modify for an efficient noise and/or vibration reduction with Virtual SEA by running a sensitivity analysis. To do this, Actran can modify independently various structural subsystems by adding mass, stiffness or damping and provide an assessment of the effect of these modifications on a target indicator such as the cavity energy. Actran can also export a sensitivity map which showcases the subsystems that have the mode impact on a target indicator.

 

 

Sensitivity in Virtual SEA

Figure 1 - Example of sensitivity map visualisation of Virtual SEA

 

New Damping Pad Positioning Workflow – in partnership with Autoneum

A new workflow is available in the Actran Workflow Manager for the design of the damping layout to reduce vibration. This damping pad positioning workflow is developed in partnership with Autoneum and aims at identifying the size, shape and ideal location of damping pads, based on a dynamic finite element simulation performed with Nastran and customised post-processing. Nastran can be run directly from the Actran Workflow Manager so that the user always remains within one interface. The workflow enables users to simulate the efficacy of damping package layouts, by means of different materials, thicknesses and positions. Furthermore, it provides guidance by indicating where the damping material is more effective and provides the overview of such performance with respect to multiple loading conditions and different panel mobility indicators.


 

 

 Damping Pad positioning workflow

Figure 2 - A new workflow for positioning damping pads is available in the Actran Workflow Manager

 

BC Mesh condition for structural components

Powertrain structure-borne noise and encapsulation may often require the noise to be transmitted directly through a structure, instead of propagation and radiation in the near and far field. To allow that, BC Mesh conditions can now be applied on structural components as constraints. This condition is equivalent to a displacement boundary condition imposed from another mesh. The BC Mesh conditions simply allows the projection of the displacement field between the two different meshes. The displacement can be applied either as a vector field or with the normal displacement, which gives the possibility to use a sliding boundary condition.


 

 

 

 BC Mesh for structures

Figure 3 - A new BC Mesh condition is available for structural components

 

New pre-processing and visualisation tools in ActranVI

Several new pre-processing and visualisation tools are now available in ActranVI. The lasso selection tool allows the user to create a user defined “box” to select specific elements instead of the regular rectangular box. The exploded view allows the user to create distance between the different mesh components so that they are easier to visualise. There is also the possibility to visualise mesh elements that are connected with T-junctions, which will help the users identify and fix problematic cells to eliminate later issues with surface and volume meshing.

 

 

 

 New pre-processsing and post-processing tools in ActranVI

Figure 4 - Exploded model view, one of the many new tools in ActranVI

 

User-defined turbulence spectrum for SNGR

In Actran 2022.1, it is possible to provide a user defined turbulence spectrum when using the SNGR method for aeroacoustic analyses based on steady CFD. The SNGR method requires a turbulence spectrum to generate aeroacoustic sources and the users can now provide a different spectrum, either analytical or experimental, than the available Von Karman-Pao spectrum. The spectrum is provided in the form of a table.


 

 New turbulence spectrums for SNGR

Figure 5 - Creating a custom turbulence spectrum for SNGR

 

 

Supported Platforms and Productline Installation

Access the list of operating systems supported by Actran 2022.1 on the dedicated Actran platform definitions webpage. Would you have any questions related to the Actran installation and licensing, please refer to the Actran Productline Installation webpage.

Learn more about what's new in Actran 2022.1 on Simcompanion.

Donwload Actran 2022.1 on the MSC Software Download center.

 

About Hexagon

Hexagon is a global leader in sensor, software and autonomous solutions. We are putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, and quality across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, safety, and mobility applications. Our technologies are shaping urban and production ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future.

Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division provides solutions that utilize data from design and engineering, production and metrology to make manufacturing smarter. For more information, visit hexagonmi.com.

Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B) has approximately 20,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of approximately 3.8bn EUR. Learn more at hexagon.com and follow us @HexagonAB.

 

About Autoneum

Autoneum is globally leading in acoustic and thermal management for vehicles. The Company develops and produces multifunctional, lightweight components and systems for interior floor and engine bay as well as the underbody. Customers include almost all automobile manufacturers in Europe, North & South America, Asia and Africa. Autoneum operates 53 production facilities and employs around 11 840 people in 24 countries. The Company with its headquarters in Winterthur, Switzerland, is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker symbol AUTN). Learn more at www.autoneum.com.