LMS Engineers Quickly Reduce Automobile NVH to Best-in-Class Levels

LMS engineering consultants helped an automotive original equipment (OEM) manufacturer quickly reduce the noise/vibration/harshness (NVH) levels of a new model to best in class levels. When the OEM first approached LMS, noise levels were about 6 dB higher on their vehicle than their quietest competitor. LMS used source ranking and benchmarking analysis, investigation of critical noise path, and counter measure evaluation by frequency response function (FRF) testing to determine the root cause. The primary contributors were airborne noise and noise transferred through the engine mounts. A new bracket was developed to reduce the engine mount contribution and trim materials were added to the floor, firewall, and hood. The result was that noise levels were reduced by 8 dB.