Exa Releases PowerACOUSTICS for CFD
 BURLINGTON,
MA, Nov 5, 2009 - Exa Corporation, a global innovator of fluids simulation (CAE/CFD) software for
product engineering, announces the release of PowerACOUSTICS, the first and
only validated solution for the prediction of interior noise due to external air
flow. PowerACOUSTICS enables aeroacoustic and noise control engineers to
efficiently simulate, analyze and collaborate on sound package design and
exterior shape optimization in the early stages of a program, in support of
developing and achieving interior noise targets. The ability to assess wind
noise early allows for design changes to be made when the impact is large and
the cost of changes small.
“With wind noise consistently ranked as the number
one vehicle consumer complaint, we realized that with Exa’s unique
technology we had an opportunity to help our customers efficiently and
economically address this critical issue,” commented Stephen Remondi, Exa’s
President and CEO. “With PowerACOUSTICS, accurate early–stage aeroacoustic
design studies can be made with high confidence.”
Noise control engineering is an ongoing challenge for ground
transportation and aerospace manufacturers. Specially treated aeroacoustic
wind tunnels can measure the interior noise, but noise source identification
and visualization is difficult and testing is not possible until physical
prototypes are available—too late to effectively impact design. Fixing wind
noise problems late in the development process is expensive, requiring added
cost and weight. Exa’s inherently transient and compressible flow solver
technology is unique in its ability to simulate and visualize the
flow-induced sources of noise and resulting transient pressure loading on
the external surfaces. However, until now, there has been no robust way to
transmit the external pressure fluctuations to the interior to predict the
noise levels at the occupant locations.
Due to the overwhelming need for an accurate and cost effective noise
prediction solution, companies such as Nissan North America are already
finding success evaluating aeroacoustic performance with Exa. Dave Lepley,
NVH & Wind Noise Manager for Nissan North America stated, “PowerACOUSTICS is
an important technology advance for wind noise engineering that will allow
us to get valuable information about aeroacoustic performance earlier in the
development process.”
“Exa’s aeroacoustics team has years of industry experience in fluids
analysis, aeroacoustics, and structural acoustics,” said David Freed, Senior
Director of Aeroacoustics at Exa. “We have extensively validated
PowerACOUSTICS predictions against a suite of experimental test data and
have developed a complete wind noise solution, including best practice case
setup and analysis procedures for reliable results and ease-of-use.”
About PowerACOUSTICS
Combined with Exa’s flagship product, PowerFLOW, this newest product
offers numerous benefits that enhance and improve acoustic design as part of
the digital product development process:
- Enables assessment of wind noise throughout the development process
- Exterior wind-generated pressure load data from PowerFLOW is input
into PowerACOUSTICS’ structural-acoustics solver module to provide the
wind noise contribution to the sound at the vehicle occupant’s head
location. PowerACOUSTICS seamlessly integrates into the product
development workflow and enables acoustics engineers to analyze and
address wind noise issues throughout the development process, from early
shape design trade off analyses through resolving issues found at final
prototype testing.
- Enables quantitative, early-stage design trade off studies - With
PowerACOUSTICS, early wind noise data is collected to enable the
collaboration of aerodynamics, sound engineering, and design teams. It is
finally feasible for engineers to have proactive discussions on exterior
shape and sound package design optimization prior to prototype build.
- Optimize sound package for cost and weight savings - With fuel economy a
top design concern and emissions regulations increasing, vehicle weight is a
critical aspect of any design. Many traditional acoustic fixes (such as
laminated glass) are heavy and expensive. By visualizing and evaluating
noise sources prior to any physical prototypes being built, acoustics
engineers can request exterior shape modifications to reduce noise levels at
little or no cost. PowerACOUSTICS allows quick and easy analysis of the
impact of different sound package configurations (in the form of glass panel
and cabin absorption properties) on the interior noise levels at each
occupant location. A contribution analysis feature is included to facilitate
comparative assessment of the contributions of various glass panels to the
total predicted interior levels.
- Reduces dependence on prototype wind tunnel testing - PowerFLOW coupled
with PowerACOUSTICS provides a digital aeroacoustic wind tunnel which is not
only cost-effective relative to physical test, it has the added benefit of
providing detailed visual insight into how design features and changes
impact the noise sources. Moreover, with Exa’s Total Analysis solution, wind
noise performance assessment can reuse the same detailed digital prototype
that is used for aerodynamics and thermal studies.
Availability
PowerACOUSTICS will be available for general release in November.
About Exa Corporation
Exa Corporation develops, markets, and supports a suite of fluids
simulation software solutions including PowerFLOW, PowerACOUSTICS,
PowerDELTA, PowerCLAY, PowerVIZ, PowerSPECTRUM, PowerCOOL and PowerTHERM
along with professional engineering consulting services. Exa’s products and
services enable engineers to create competitive designs, while shortening
product design cycles, and speeding time-to-market. A partial customer list
includes: AGCO, BMW, Chrysler, Ford, Hyundai, Kenworth, MAN, Nissan,
Peterbilt, Renault, Scania, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo Trucks.
Founded in 1991, the company is headquartered at 55 Network Drive,
Burlington, MA, USA 01803. Tel: 1.781.676.8500; Fax: 1.781.676.8599; Email:
info@exa.com, webpage:
www.exa.com.
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See also
Exa website
Fluid
Dynamics Products and Companies- List by TenLinks.com
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Source: Material used in press releases is often supplied by external
sources and used as is.
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