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The end of physical prototype testing? Looking back at the Component-based Transfer Path Analysis and Virtual Prototyping masterclass series

Physical prototype testing is under increasing pressure as the automotive industry is looking towards more digital and scalable methods for component development and integration in the full vehicle. Recognizing this important industry trend, Siemens recently organized a series of masterclasses on the topic of predicting NVH performance using virtual prototypes based on Component-based Transfer Path Analysis (C-TPA) methodology. These masterclasses brought together industry experts and professionals to explore the latest advancements in virtual prototyping, gain experience via hands-on workshops and exchange ideas via networking events.

In this blog post, we will recap the highlights of this successful masterclass series. Just listen to what our attendees had to say:

I am overwhelmed by the complexity and quality of tools that are provided today (…) I would highly recommend anyone who didn’t have the chance to attend to get a hold of one of the sessions, and I hope it will become a regular event in the future.

Michael Sturm – Senior NVH Specialist & Research Engineer at Bosch USA

Connecting the global NVH test & CAE community

The masterclass series consisted of four global events hosted in Belgium (Leuven), China (Shanghai), Japan (Yokohama) and the United States (Detroit), attracting a total of 307 NVH test and CAE engineers from 18 different countries.

Siemens experts laid the foundations with an extensive review of C-TPA theory and best practices for a variety of components and applications, including predictions of road noise, powertrains, compressors, pass-by noise, and more.

Bart Verrecas presenting the fundamentals of C-TPA during the masterclass in Japan.

Attendees also had the opportunity to learn from leading industry experts during 6 guest speaker sessions.

Philippe Mordillat from Renault presenting Renault’s vision and process for implementing virtual prototyping during the masterclass in the United States.

From theory to practice with hands-on workshops

The best way to learn is often by getting your hands dirty. That is why attendees were invited to participate in a series of four hands-on workshops that put the entire C-TPA workflow in practice, focusing on a structure-borne road noise prediction case study.

The first set of workshops focused on test-based invariant component characterization. On the source side, a tire-wheel assembly was characterized in terms of (in-situ) blocked forces and impedance FRFs at a virtual point connection interface using Virtual Point Transformation. On the receiver side, a subframe was characterized in terms of its impedance FRFs, and a rubber mount in terms of its (high frequency) dynamic stiffnesses.

In-situ blocked forces estimation for predicting structure-borne road noise during the masterclass in China.

The second set of workshops focused on virtual prototype NVH prediction. First, a hybrid test-CAE virtual prototype was assembled using the test-based tire-wheel characterization and a CAE-based vehicle receiver characterization. Next, the expected road noise performance of this configuration and its variants was predicted for various speeds and road surfaces and evaluated from objective and subjective point of view.

Experiencing the NVH performance of virtual prototypes on an NVH simulator during the masterclass in Belgium.

Networking, fun and a little bit of food

Let’s not forget that one of the most valuable activities was actually non-technical: bringing together the global community of test and CAE NVH experts from automotive OEMs and suppliers to network, exchange ideas and have a bit of fun.

A rooftop walking dinner with a beautiful view of the university city of Leuven during the masterclass in Belgium.

The only problem was: we ordered way too much food! Engineers being engineers, we couldn’t resist applying a generous safety factor to our orders 😉.

Some say that he is still eating to this day…

Looking forward

We would like to express our gratitude to all the attendees, presenters, and partners who contributed to the success of this masterclass series. Siemens remains committed to continue pushing the boundaries of virtual prototyping and its applications in predicting NVH performance. We look forward to continuing to share the latest developments in methodologies and tools with you in future masterclasses.

Would you like participate in the next masterclass? The next event will be hosted 10-12 June 2025 at Lucid Motors in California. Register here! Or register for our on-demand webinar on Component-based Transfer Path Analysis to stay tuned when a future event will be hosted in a location near you.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Eric Sorber
Industry Specialist Automotive NVH Testing

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This article first appeared on the Siemens Digital Industries Software blog at https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/simcenter/component-based-transfer-path-analysis-virtual-prototyping-masterclass-series-2024/