Using component modes in a system design process

Abstract

Classically Component Mode Synthesis has been used to couple models from different sources (mixed test and analysis, different companies, different software, ...) or reduce models. The focus of this paper is on using component modes in a design cycle. Component modes are the natural representation in the lowest part design cycle. In NVH applications, it is well known that coupling at the system level makes understanding of the impact of component design changes difficult. The paper details and uses the disjoint component synthesis method. Like classical CMS this synthesis method considers reduced component models and couples these models to obtain a system level synthesis. The first novel aspect is that a physical interface is assumed to exist between components. Synthesis thus becomes a trivial application of model assembly. The second novel aspect is that components are reduced using component modes and the trace of nominal system modes, thus allowing exact predictions for the nominal design. Illustrations of the methodology are given for an automotive brake application. ©2010 Society for Experimental Mechanics Inc.