Noise and Vibration Research Group

The Noise and Vibration Research Group has a well-established research experience in the field of noise and vibration analysis of mechanical structures. Machine tool stability was the origin of the research in the field of structural dynamics at PMA. In 1973 PMA was one of the first laboratories in Europe to introduce a digital FFT Analyser (HP 5451A) for noise and vibration analysis in the field of mechanical engineering.

The development by PMA researchers of analysis methods (modal analysis) to characterise and optimise the structural dynamic behaviour raised the interest of several European industries and research institutes. Challenging and important research projects followed, giving PMA worldwide recognition in the field of noise and vibration analysis.

Some spin-off companies were founded by former PMA collaborators to commercialise the results of PMA's structural dynamics research. The most successful among them is certainly LMS International which evolved throughout the years to become a market leader in the field of noise and vibration analysis software. The close collaboration and joint research projects between PMA and LMS-International are certainly a guarantee for the industrial relevance of the scientific research at PMA, and offers a unique forum for its research results.

Events

The Noise and Vibration Research Group organises two international conferences:

• International Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering (ISMA) (biennal)
• Leuven Symposium on Applied Mechanics in Engineering (LSAME).

The Noise and Vibration Research Group also organises and teaches the following annual international short courses:

• International Seminar on Modal Analysis: Theory and Practice (ISMA)
• International Seminar on Advanced Numerical and Experimental Techniques in Technical Acoustics (ISAAC).

Services

The Noise and Vibration Research Group offers the following services to external clients:

• Team CUBE^TM shaker table