HepcoMotion Driven Linear System helps minimise aircraft noise

The research requires the noise from the component to be measured from all directions. This is achieved in part by parallel, driven HepcoMotion® linear motion systems that move a semi-circular gantry system carrying a microphone array to given positions in the chamber. “The main benefit of this traversable microphone array is that we need fewer microphones to make the test comprehensive,” explains Project Researcher Dr. Chris Lowis. “We can also move the array to many different positions automatically without any manual intervention.”

The design also maximises the number of measurements that can be taken using a given amount of compressed air. This is piped in to the chamber and fed through the component under test.

The linear motion system designed for this project combines the talents of HepcoMotion® and SmartDrive and was delivered fully synchronised. The package included a control system and custom-written software to drive the array. This allows a linear position to be specified or chosen from a list of pre-sets. “All we have to do is click a button to move the array or return it to its home position,” Chris Lowis continues. “There’s also the possibility of fully automating this movement in the future, for example, to move and arrest the array at a series of pre-determined positions.”

Chris Lowis advises that in acoustics positional accuracy becomes more important as frequency increases. Although the full potential of the HepcoMotion® system in this regard is not currently being explored its published repositioning accuracy of ±0.5mm will certainly come into its own in the future.

The HepcoMotion® system specified for this new anechoic chamber was similar to a larger one the company installed in another laboratory at the ISVR. This experience stood HepcoMotion® in good stead for this new project enabling it to make intelligent design recommendations. It also provided 3D CAD models of the chosen system to ISVR’s appointed design company so that it could be integrated with other hardware.

“We were very happy with how HepcoMotion® handled the integration of SmartDrive electronics and drive motors. We had every confidence that each component would work well together,” Chris Lowis concludes. “Our application is a good example of the company’s modular approach. It’s a good looking system that is very accurate, useful and future-proof.”