Qsources is a Siemens Simcenter solutions parter. The Simcenter-Qsources product range (previously known as LMS-Qsources) consists of state-of-the-art shakers & sound sources and other excitation hardware distributed in exclusive cooperation with Siemens PLM. This gives Siemens’ clients the benefit of seamless hardware integration into the measurement chain.
The Simcenter-Qsources portfolio consists of:
Simcenter Qsources miniature shaker enables dynamic excitation when conventional shakers have no access and impact hammers are unpractical. This vibration exciter has an extremely low mass and stiffness loading of the test object due to its patented internal decoupling suspension. The miniature shaker is especially suitable for those who plan to perform experimental modal analysis (EMA), transfer path analysis (TPA) and/or frequency-based substructuring (FBS).
The miniature shaker provides you with integrated force and acceleration transducers that allow you to quickly obtain driving point frequency response functions (FRFs). The shaker can be glued directly on the test structure, and needs no extra external support. Thanks to the patented internal suspension, the inert mass is dynamically decoupled from the test object and the force is always aligned along the internal stinger axis. This significantly improves the efficiency of testing by eliminating the support and alignment work associated with conventional shaker testing.
| Weight | 100 grams |
| Dimensions | 28×38 mm |
| Frequency range | 50-5000 Hz |
| Force output | 2 Nrms |
The Simcenter Qsources hardware integral shaker is an excitation solution for measuring structural and vibroacoustic frequency response functions (FRF) in narrow spaces.
The Simcenter Qsources integral shaker has been designed to excite a broad range of structures and allows for accurate FRF in narrow spaces. The force level is enough to excite full vehicles. Typical test objects are full vehicles, vehicle bodies, powertrains and drivelines, suspension systems, aircraft and railway bodies and systems, and machinery up to 10 meters (m) in length or 15,000 kilograms (kg) in weight.
The Simcenter Qsources integral shaker enables a direct mounting on the test object without external support or the need for alignment. Thanks to the patented internal suspension, the inert mass is dynamically decoupled from the test object and the force is always aligned along the internal stinger axis. This significantly improves the efficiency of testing by eliminating the support and alignment work associated with conventional shaker testing.
| Weight | 0.38 kg |
| Dimensions | 40×87 mm |
| Frequency range | 20-2000 Hz |
| Force output | 7 Nrms |
The Simcenter Qsources hardware thumper shaker is a compact, lowfrequency shaker intended for frequency response function (FRF) acquisition in the 5- to 200-hertz (Hz) range. The shaker typically replaces instrumented sledgehammer applications, and is used when hammer excitation is not possible due to space constraints. The lack of any external support enables fast instrumentation, so there’s no longer any need to align the shaker, force sensor and test object. The shaker is mounted on a test structure or can be glued onto the test object in any orientation.
Its lean design makes it possible to excite in narrow spaces around machinery.
The force level makes it possible to apply it for modal analysis or other kinds of analysis to large structures, such as ships, windmills and industrial installations. It is used in automotive applications to measure quasi-static deformation of vehicle bodies.
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Dimensions | 45×200 mm |
| Frequency range | 5-200 Hz |
| Force output | 25 Nrms |
Q-IND – Miniature volume source
The miniature volume source has been developed to acquire acoustic FRFs at low and mid frequencies without disturbing the acoustic sound field by its presence. The source incorporates electrodynamic actuators and an internal sound source strength sensor. This sensor outputs a realtime volume displacement signal, practically independent from the acoustic environment.
Its miniature size allows accurate acoustic transfer function measurements around intake and exhaust nozzles for airborne source quantification techniques. The FRFs are acquired without the influence of the volume of a large low mid frequency source. Its size makes it ideal to excite structures from inside, like white goods and consumer electronics.
Besides ASQ, the source can be used for scaled modal analysis using the internal volume displacement sensor as reference.
| Weight | 0.2 kg |
| Dimensions | 71×22 mm |
| Frequency range | 50-1000 Hz |
| Sound power level | 86 dB |
Q-LMF – Low-/Mid-frequency volume source
The Simcenter Qsources hardware lowmid frequency source is used for producing high noise levels, more than sufficient for the excitation of complete vehicles. The integrated volume acceleration sensor gives realtime feedback of the emitted source strength and can be used as a reference for frequency response functions (FRFs) measurements without any postprocessing.
The low-mid frequency source is designed to be used in the 10 to 1,000 hertz (Hz) frequency band an important frequency band in vehicle development. This source is typically used for transfer path analysis (TPA) of structure-borne or airborne noise and cabin vibro-acoustic modal analysis.
Because most applications are for seat positions, the device is optimized for quick positioning on a seat with the acoustic center at ear location. This is in compliance with ISO 5128. For linear systems, the reciprocity principle is applicable. As a vehicle can be seen as a linear system in typical cases, the input and output of the system can be switched. This allows you to introduce acoustic energy at ear location and measure acceleration at many operational force input points, such as body interface locations for the suspension, exhaust and engine. This will result in a shorter FRF acquisition time as it is not necessary to excite the system at every force input location with a shaker.
| Weight | 9.0 kg |
| Dimensions | 245x380x485/790 mm |
| Frequency range | 10-1000 Hz |
| Sound power level | 102 dB |
Q-MHF – Mid-/High-frequency volume source
The Simcenter Qsources hardware midhigh frequency source is a general use monopole volume acceleration source with internal reference sensors to measure mid- and high-frequency frequency response functions (FRFs). Automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) use these acoustic monopole sources for dedicated investigations, such as transfer path analysis (TPA), airborne source quantification (ASQ) and other noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) related measurements and analyses. These sources are also to used by full vehicle NVH departments for validation of the high-frequency sound package of a vehicle body. Engineers appreciate the accuracy and speed with which the reciprocal transfer functions can be measured, which enables the follow-up of the sound package during the vehicle development program. A dedicated optional positioning tool facilitates an accurate and tool free installation, maintaining the omnidirectional performance. The negligible diffraction makes it an accurate omni-directional sound source. The reference sensor is integrated at the aperture of the nozzle and is used to accurately measure volume acceleration. The sensor is practically independent from the acoustic environment where the source is used. Component suppliers in the industry use these sources to investigate vibroacoustic behavior of components such as engines, transmissions and air conditioning units. The sound source level in combination with the frequency range makes this source a versatile measurement device designed to meet the needs of NVH research and development departments.
| Weight | 8.0 kg |
| Dimensions | 30 mm diameter hose / 2-6m tube |
| Frequency range | 150-10000 Hz |
| Sound power level | 101 dB |
Q-MED – Low frequency monopole source
The Simcenter Qsources hardware low frequency monopole source has been designed to measure vibro-acoustic transfer functions in and around vehicles. The sound source level in combination with the frequency range makes this source a versatile measurement device designed to meet the needs of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) research and development departments.
The negligible diffraction makes it an accurate omnidirectional sound source up to 2,000 hertz (Hz). This source also allows you to measure typical vibroacoustic body noise transfer functions reciprocally, which is valuable information for vehicle body development. It can excite the passenger and trunk cavity to measure scaled acoustic transfer functions.
These frequency response functions (FRFs) can be used to perform acoustic modal analysis. These sources are compatible with the latest standards for acoustic modal analysis, which propose multiple sources in the cavity without the disturbances associated with traditional low-frequency sources. Another application of the measured FRFs is for indoor pass-by-noise engineering.
Acoustic frequency response functions between indoor microphone positions and microphone positions at dominant sound sources in and around the vehicle is acquired from 30 Hz up to 1,000 Hz. The reference sensor is integrated in the source and measures the volume displacement. The sensor is independent from the acoustic environment in which the source is used. Sophisticated electronics are integrated.
| Weight | 8.0 kg |
| Dimensions | 75×200 mm |
| Frequency range | 5-1000 Hz |
The Simcenter Qsources hardware high frequency shaker has been developed to perform highly repeatable, high-frequency structural excitation in a minimum of space. It provides excitation, but with extremely low mass and stiffness loading of the test object.
The inert mass is decoupled from the stinger dynamically by means of internal suspension. This suspension keeps the inert mass well aligned in all orientations and significantly minimizes the mass rigidly coupled to the test object. The stinger is the base for the coil windings and is glued directly to the test object in the desired direction. The force generated is dictated by the stinger and thus is perpendicular to the surface. A single axis force sensor has been integrated in the inert mass. This enables users to acquire frequency response functions (FRF) accurately. Multiple stinger-coil assemblies can be attached to the test object to enable an efficient roving shaker excitation using one or more driver magnets with integrated force sensors. You can speed up data acquisition by using FRF with multiple shakers in parallel and uncorrelated signals.
The shaker can be mounted inside assemblies and measurements can be performed when the test object is reassembled. To minimize the mass loading, the stinger is kept as small as possible while maintaining stiffness. The stinger is therefore also made replaceable to reduce downtime as much as possible.
| Weight | 30 grams |
| Dimensions | 20×25 mm |
| Frequency range | 500-10000 Hz |
| Force output | 0.8 Nrms |
Q-AMP – Measurement amplifier (230V & 115V version available)
The Simcenter Qsources hardware measurement amplifier has been designed to power all Simcenter Qsources structural and acoustic exciters. The Bayonet Neill–Concelman (BNC) input and banana output connectors are chosen to match all Simcenter Qsources exciters. The amplifier provides a pop-free start-and stop control. Excessive heat is transferred to its housing, which serves as a heatsink. The absence of a ventilator makes it a low-noise amplifier, essential for acoustic measurements.
| Weight | 2.45 kg |
| Dimensions | 200x260x72mm |
| Frequency range | 10-40000 Hz |
| Sound power level | -32 to 28 dB Amplification |