Case Study: McMaster University improves electric motor acoustic design with Hexagon Actran

Actran induces optimization of electric motor drive design

McMaster University faced the challenge of optimizing electric motor design to reduce acoustic noise, a significant issue caused by electromagnetic forces in the new generation of quieter electric vehicles. To develop efficient motor architectures that meet performance and acoustic comfort expectations, the university's research team, led by Dr. Berker Bilgin, needed to integrate detailed acoustic analysis early in the design process rather than at the end. They turned to Hexagon and its vibro-acoustic simulation software, Actran, for a solution.

Hexagon's solution involved using Actran to simulate vibrations and acoustic noise over a complete frequency range, allowing researchers to identify which electromagnetic force harmonics contributed most to the noise. This enabled the development of optimized current control techniques to limit acoustic emissions without altering the motor's physical design or sacrificing torque. The use of Hexagon's Actran significantly reduced prototyping costs, allowed for more advanced analysis, and resulted in the experimental verification of drastic noise reduction in switched reluctance motors.

McMaster University

Berker Bilgin

Research Program Manager and Chief Engineer of Canada Excellence Research Chair