NEWPORT BEACH, CA, June 19, 2014 – MSC Software Corp., a global leader in helping product manufacturers to advance their engineering methods with simulation software and services, announced that LIXIL, manufacturer of building materials and housing equipment, has selected MSC Software’s Actran acoustic analysis software to predict sound insulation performance and improve the quality of next generation window sashes.
(picture from MSC Software website)
Recently, diversification of open-close design and the type of glass used in the design and development of window sashes has made the evaluation and experimental testing of sound insulation performance in products difficult. As a result, the cost of product testing has increased. For this reason, LIXIL is now relying on numerical simulations for further validation and testing leading to a reduction in the number of physical tests, lower costs, and a shorter development process.
Actran was selected because of the highly reliable support and expertise provided by the FFT team which delivers deep acoustic application knowledge and technological skills. LIXIL is also working on high-precision prediction and control of sound insulation performance through the calculation of sound transmission loss (TL) of the window sash.
(picture from MSC Software website)
The diffuse sound field feature in Actran, which reproduces the experimental reverberation room/box, made it possible to improve the accuracy of TL analysis. Also, in addition to the glass, there are various modeling features to analyze vibration and acoustic characteristics involving the complex structure of the window sash. For accuracy evaluation of the Actran results, TL is compared with Actran results and experimental results, with some specification changes, such as different open-close designs for window sashes. Good correlations have been confirmed in these comparisons. Consequently, it is possible to replace the process of TL evaluation in physical experiments with virtual simulation for some of LIXIL’s products, thereby reducing experimental costs and enabling faster time to market.
“The prediction and control of sound insulation performance is expected to become an indispensable technology in the development process of the window sash,” said Keiichi Kato, LIXIL Corporation, digital technology promoting office, Analysis Technology Promoting Group, group leader. “Among them, the calculation of TL using Actran is providing high efficiencies in the product development process. With the new enhancement in Actran, I hope that in the future we will be able to apply the technology not only to window sashes, but to large scale problems such as actual-size architectural spaces.”
“The majority of Actran customers have been in automotive and aviation,” said Masatake Saitoh, director of the FFT Division at MSC Software. “In recent years, sound problems have gained the attention of various fields outside of transportation because of the need to create pleasant sounds, better customer experiences, and compliance with regulatory requirements around noise reduction. TL analysis, such as those being used by LIXIL, is expected to become a new possibility for the application of Actran, as well as creating comfortable living environments, noise control of OA equipment, and so on.”
About LIXIL Corp.
Led by president and CEO Yoshiaki Fujimori, LIXIL Group Corp. (TSE Code: 5938) is a listed holding company posting 1.4 trillion JPY in consolidated sales in FY March 2013. The Group is involved in a broad spectrum of housing-related businesses, ranging from the manufacture and sales of building materials and housing equipment to the operation of home centers and a network of homebuilding franchises. LIXIL Corp., a consortium of building material companies, is a core enterprise of the Group, generating 80% of consolidated sales. The largest housing and building materials company in Japan with a vast and unique business portfolio, it is a leader in eight market categories, with a 55% share in exteriors, 50% share in housing sashes and doors, 50% share in curtain wall and 40% share in sanitary ware. LIXIL is also a leading brand in tiles, bathroom furniture, and bathroom and kitchen units. Launched in April 2011 under its present structure and name, LIXIL has been active in strategic acquisitions and partnerships in order to fortify and accelerate its growth globally. It currently operates in more than 30 countries through various brands offering a broad lineup of products and services. Permasteelisa, Gartner and Shanghai Meite, for example, spearhead our project business (building materials and curtain wall), while LIXIL, American Standard, Inax and Tostem brands provide an impressive product portfolio including kitchen units, bathroom fixtures, windows and doors.
For more information about LIXIL Group, please visit http://www.lixil-group.co.jp/e/.
About MSC Software
MSC Software is one of the ten original software companies and a global leader in helping product manufacturers to advance their engineering methods with simulation software and services. As a trusted partner, MSC Software helps companies improve quality, save time, and reduce costs associated with design and test of manufactured products. Academic institutions, researchers, and students employ MSC’s technology to expand individual knowledge as well as expand the horizon of simulation. MSC Software employs 1,100 professionals in 20 countries.
For additional information about MSC Software’s products and services, please visit www.mscsoftware.com.
