A_T_I_2015_04_

RAPHAEL

HALLEZ

92 |^

APRIL 2015

AEROSPACETESTINGINTERNATIONAL.COM

z Supplier interview

LMS solutions expert Raphael Hallez highlights the

latest tools and trends for the aviation industry

BY CHRISTOPHER HOUNSFIELD

Listening post

RIGHT: Detailed

analysis of sound

fields inside the

aircraft cabin

LMS SOLUTIONS ARE WELL KNOWN ACROSS THE

INDUSTRY. WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS?

Our solutions are centered on testing and simulation

tools for very specific noise and vibration engineering

applications. On the testing side, we have a complete

testing, analysis and report-generating solution including

both the LMS SCADAS test data acquisition hardware and

LMS Test.Lab software.

We are very active in the aerospace industry with leading

solutions for structural dynamics and modal testing, ground

vibration testing (GVT) and flutter testing, and acoustics.

Our solutions are also greatly appreciated within the space

industry, specifically in environmental testing.

WHY DO YOU THINK GVT IS SUCH A CRITICAL TEST?

The GVT campaign is on the critical testing path for an

aircraft’s first flight. Since this test is typically completed on

the actual first flight test vehicle, our GVT solution is much

more than a modal test system that extracts resonance

frequencies, damping values and mode shapes. Embedded

with more than 30 years of aviation customer feedback, it

integrates testing and analysis, managing the test setup,

data, and analysis results, in a traceable, transparent and,

well, rather elegant way.

But GVT is just the starting point. Key players from

both the aviation and space industries appreciate the

value of the LMS testing solutions from Siemens PLM

Software.. And our solutions are just

as popular among acoustic testing

experts. Customers are using our

solutions for all kinds of jobs: inflight

operational noise measurements,

sound source localization and

ranking, and flyover and ramp noise

measurements, for example.

WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS THE

CASE?

I think aviation test teams really like

our platform concept. They have an

engineering tool with integrated

hardware and software to solve all

types of noise and vibration issues.

This is especially important for teams

covering both acoustics and vibration

disciplines because acoustic problems

typically originate from a vibration

problem. Just having to use one

uniform tool is crucial for productivity.

WHY IS ACOUSTIC TESTING GAINING

GROUND IN AIRCRAFT DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAMS?

Noise reduction and sound engineering

are a continuous challenge in the

aircraft design process for both

exterior and interior acoustics.

Stringent regulations on take-off,

flyover and landing noise are forcing

manufacturers to limit noise emissions

from not only the engine but also the

airframe. And, of course, passenger

comfort is playing a much bigger role

in aircraft design these days, with

customers raising the bar for improved

sound quality and a more pleasant

flying experience.

But there is an issue. Most acoustic

requirements are often in conflict with

W

ith dreams of becoming a mechanical engineer specializing in

acoustics and vibration, Frenchman Raphael Hallez started studying

at the University of Technology in Compiègne, France, and finished

with a Masters of Science from Virginia Tech in the USA. Thirteen years later,

he finds himself working for Siemens PLM Software in Leuven, Belgium. As a

business development manager for aerospace and defense, he helps customers

around the world solve product development challenges on both the simulation

and testing fronts.