REDUCTION OF STRUCTURE-BORNE NOISE THROUGH THE COMBINED APPLICATION OF MODAL AND SIGNATURE ANALYSIS TECHNIQUES.

An investigation to determine an effective and practically acceptable method of reducing vibration and noise radiation from a wingbase of a type which is commonly used in the construction of transfer machines is described. The wingbases were shown to be significant radiators of structure borne noise which was generated by the supported machining head. Combined application of modal and signature analysis techniques also permitted an effective evaluation of the various possible reduction strategies, without the use of costly trial and error procedures. The most cost effective solution was found to be the coating of internal surfaces of the box structure with a vibration damping compound. A reduction of approximately 60% of the radiated acoustic energy was achieved.