The National Automotive Test Tracks (Natrax), a test facility designed specifically for vehicles manufactured in India and Asia, lies on the outskirts of the Indian town of Indore. Automobiles and motorcycles are extensively tested here for, amongst other things, their noise levels in order to develop noise reduction solutions. The test facility is equipped with Siemens Digital Industries Software hardware and software solutions. They help engineers to complete tests to both national and international standards and to thoroughly analyze the captured data. The Siemens software solutions also allow the test procedures to be completed more quickly as several tests can run in parallel which significantly increases the efficiency of the test facility.
High noise levels caused by traffic can be harmful to health. Automotive manufacturers are therefore obliged to keep their vehicles within set thresholds in order to restrict the noise both inside and outside the vehicle to a level which is not harmful to health. Many tests are therefore carried out at the Natrax facility to reduce vehicle noise. “Reducing the noise at its source is the most effective noise abatement approach,” says Dr. Karuppaiah, Deputy Head of the test facility. At the same time, Natrax is also tackling the very low noise levels of electric vehicles and the associated problem that cyclists and pedestrians do not hear them. “Testing is an essential step in the process of developing new vehicles, from their components to their full systems,” says Dr. Karuppaiah. There are not enough modern test tracks in India which hampers the development of the whole transportation industry.
The conditions at Natrax are ideal for this and meet both extensive national and international standards. The facility is fitted out with state-of-the-art Edge equipment including light barriers, a weather station, microphones, and solutions from the Siemens Digital Industries Software portfolio: Simcenter Scadas hardware for data capture and Simcenter Testlab Software for analysis. “Simcenter Testlab gives us a very detailed, user-friendly reporting structure,” says Sagar Bendre, project engineer, NATRAX. “It builds the standard procedures which guides us through the testing processes but also offers additional information on the vehicle’s aggregate noise performance beyond a simple ‘pass’ or ‘fail.’” The Siemens solutions allow the Natrax engineers to monitor all the test parameters in accordance with the specifications, and to compile and evaluate the data. In addition to this, Simcenter will allow multiple tests to be carried out simultaneously in the future which significantly increases the efficiency of the test track.
“NATRAX’s ambition goes beyond offering state-of-the-art, reliable service and facilities for vehicle and part homologation,” says Dr. Karuppaiah. “The analysis capabilities of Simcenter Testlab software brings deeper engineering insights into the NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) behavior of vehicles. With our facility, equipment and expertise, we are confident that we offer the industry the toolset it needs to make the world a quieter place.”
