Wind

Partnering with leading companies

We truly believe that LMS has made a transformational impact on our industry. Together with our customers and business partners, we have delivered engineering solutions that have revolutionized how cars, airplanes, satellites, wind turbines and other high-tech products are developed today.

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30 years of trust

Your Leading Partner in Test & Mechatronic Simulation

Pride,
is probably the one word that best sums up how we feel about what LMS has achieved during the past 30 years. Our passion for innovation is the key driver of our excellence in business and our success in driving the industry forward. The industry is facing major challenges inventing, developing and manufacturing the right products efficiently. Designed Right, First Time. Successful products must be attractive, ecological, smart and distinctive with appealing brand values. Mastering the complexity of next-generation products and development processes has become a major challenge for most manufacturers. For LMS, this is the essence of what drives us: the relentless pursuit of product and process innovation and the transformational solutions required to achieve this. With the current drive for smarter and more ecologic products, engineering innovation takes on a new mission. Simulation and testing are being re-defined to support a novel approach to systemlevel engineering. A paradigm shift whereby the mechanics, electronics and software in a new design will simultaneously be optimized as an integrated mechatronics system. With the integration of Imagine in 2007 and the 2010 acquisition of Emmeskay, we have expanded our portfolio for multi-physics system simulation, plant modeling and controls. In 2011 we acquired Samtech, a leading provider of Computer Aided Engineering and structural analysis software within the European aviation and aerospace industry. We are well positioned to be the Leading Partner in Test & Mechatronic Simulation. It is our aim to once again turn this compelling vision of Designed Right, First Time into reality. Digital design, both testing and simulation, will become so authentic that every customer expectation will have been exceeded by the time the first prototype goes into production. We thank you for your trust and long-term commitment to us and for the opportunity to deliver the technology, systems and support that are critical for true product innovation for the next 30 years. Thank you and pleasant reading, Yours sincerely, Dr. ir. Jan Leuridan CEO LMS, A Siemens Business

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LMS, the preferred partner of Fortune 500 Manufacturers

Through 30 years of engineering innovation and worldwide expansion, we are servicing more than 100.000 R&D engineers in more than 5.000 manufacturing companies. LMS has become a trusted partner of the worlds leading automotive manufacturers, aerospace companies, major energy producers and manufacturers of other high tech equipment.

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A Scalable Partnering Model

Partnering Levels Strategic partner in Product Development & Process Transformation programs

LMS, a unique provider of an integrated portfolio

System integrator in Test and Mechatronic Simulation

Partner in attribute engineering for N&V, durability, system dynamics, performance, emissions...

Supplier of Testing Systems, Simulation software and Engineering Services

Breakthrough Innovation ROI - Profitability

From Troubleshooting to Design-Right-First-Time

Vision, Solutions and Best Practices

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Alstom chooses SAMCEF Wind Turbines (SWT), SAMTECHs professional product for advanced dynamic analysis and certification of Wind Turbines

The purchase of SWT is the natural result of the confidence of Alstom in SAMTECHs software solutions and the final choice for SWT was further consolidated through the outcome of validation campaigns that proved the accuracy of SWT when comparing numerical results with experimental measurements. In fact, Alstom evaluated in depth several well-known software systems for aeroelastic load computations and Multi-Body-System analysis.

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The possibility to include the most complex mechanical models in one detailed aero-elastic wind turbine model, accurate results and a reduced learning time were the features which convinced ALSTOM to select SWT. The SWT solver SAMCEF Mecano was used for the first time in a wind turbine context in Alstoms Wind business 10 years ago. As early as in the year 2000, the first non-linear dynamic SAMCEF Mecano model of a 600 kW wind turbine

power train was set up. Successful experimental validation was performed on that model and triggered a longterm relationship between the two companies in the domain of advanced dynamic simulation of wind turbines. Further collaboration, including intensive validation campaigns, resulted in the set up of advanced aero-elastic SWT models of several Alstom Multi-Mega Watt class wind turbines. Several key features for accurate modeling of

wind turbines have been added to the software over time to match the needs of todays wind industry and make SWT the most complete platform on the wind turbine simulation market. The collaboration between Alstom and SAMTECH will continue in several industrial domains including the simulation of offshore wind turbines and the evaluation of innovative Mechatronical Systems for active damping.

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REpower Systems AGs Advanced Drive Train Simulation

The SWT solver SAMCEF Mecano was used for the first time in REpowers Wind business in the year 2006 for the analysis of drive train dynamics of a REpower megawatt class wind turbine. The initially applied aero-elastic SAMCEF Mecano model accounted for the most relevant flexible wind turbine components, including a detailed gearbox model and the turbine control. A strong collaboration was then set-up in the frame of ADTS consortium to introduce key features in the innovative SWT professional software product.

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In the year 2007, REpower AG supported the creation of a consortium of leading industrial experts for Advanced Drive Train Simulation/ADTS to improve further the SWT power train model. The ADTS consortium was an intensive technical collaboration in between REpower Systems AG, Schaeffler Group, Eickhoff Antriebstechnik GmbH and SAMTECH Iberica. Outcome of that collaboration where specific extensions of the SWT solver for advanced power train modelling in order to match the needs of todays wind industry.

REpower Systems AG, a Suzlon group company, is one of the leading manufacturers of onshore and offshore wind turbines. The international mechanical engineering company develops, produces and markets wind turbines with rated outputs of 1.8 MW to 6.15 MW and rotor diameters of 82 meters to 126 meters for almost any location. The company also offers a comprehensive portfolio of service and maintenance packages. The profitable and reliable systems are designed at the REpower TechCenter in Osterrnfeld

and manufactured at its plants in Husum (North Friesland), Trampe (Brandenburg) and Bremerhaven as well as Portugal and China. With more than 2,200 employees worldwide, the company, which has been listed since March 2002 and is headquartered in Hamburg, can make use of the experience gained from the manufacture and installation of around 3,000 wind turbines around the world. REpower is represented by distribution partners, subsidiaries and participations in European markets such as France, Belgium, the UK, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Poland and Spain as well as on a global level in the USA, China, Australia and Canada.

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U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory Defining the American bounds of wind energy

Engineers at the U.S. Department of Energys National Renewable Energy Laboratory use LMS technology in performing modal testing on next-generation wind power systems destined to radically change Americas energy policy.

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The use of wind power in the United States has expanded quickly over the last several years. Construction of new wind power generation capacity in 2011 totaled 6810 megawatts bringing the cumulative installed capacity to 46,919 MW. This capacity is exceeded only by China. In 2011 the electricity produced from wind power in the US amounted to 2.9% of all electric power.

The U.S. wind industry generates tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of economic activity. Wind projects boost local tax bases, and revitalize the economy of rural communities by providing a steady income stream to farmers with wind turbines on their land.

GE Energy is the largest domestic wind turbine manufacturer. Just like GE Energy, NREL is working with LMS.

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Tools for advanced R&D testing

Work in addressing these requirements is spearheaded by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) - DOEs primary research and development center for wind power. A key focus of efforts at NRELs National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) in Golden, Colorado, is aimed at testing proposed new concepts, as well as improving existing designs, often in connection with industry partners, including wind turbine manufacturers and component suppliers. In particular, modal testing is performed to identify resonant frequencies of the wind machine. As a nationally certified test facility, the NWTC also performs modal analysis as part of a suite of dynamic vibration tests for certifying wind turbine designs. NREL installed a LMS Test.Lab data acquisition and analysis system for performing these modal and vibration tests, and LMS Virtual.Lab software for correlating and updating simulation models. Measurements are made using a 96-channel LMS SCADAS mobile data aquisition system in a lightweight, battery-powered laptop-size unit that is easy to carry up into a wind turbine nacelle and between the NWTC and outdoor wind turbine sites. The portable units are less than a third the size and weight of the NWTC former cumbersome UNIX-based system.

Full modal survey

NWTC engineers have already used the LMS system in performing a full system model survey of a specially modified three-bladed 600-kW wind turbine system, known as the CART-3, which is used for advanced controls research. With its rotor fixed in a parked position, accelerometers were placed on the entire structure, including points on the tower, rotor blades, gearbox and nacelle. Blades were excited to vibrate with impact from an instrumented hammer. For other parts of the structure, hydraulic shakers were controlled by signals from the LMS SCADAS data aquisition system, which measured amplitude response of the structure for various input frequencies. According to NWTC test engineer Richard Osgood, one of the major advantages of using the LMS SCADAS mobile data aquisition system was that it could be used as a distributed data acquisition system, with slave units on the rotor, blades, nacelle, tower, and even a remote meteorological tower to measure wind speeds - all daisy-chained together and connected by fiber-optic cables to a master unit on a truck on the ground at the base of the tower. Replacing the previous UNIXbased system with the portable, scalable and distributable LMS SCADAS mobile system connected with fiber optics saves tens of thousands of dollars for each test set-up compared to cumbersome, more-expensive long signal cables that take lots longer to set up, said Richard Osgood.

This level of cost and efficiency is important in operations such as ours in which budgets are extremely tight. Also, signal loss and background electronic interference was significantly reduced with a distributed system based on fiber optics, so less time is required in correcting for these discrepancies, especially in testing variable-speed drive trains that tend to generate considerable radio-frequency noise. Using multiple-input/multiple-output acquisition and analysis capabilities for measured signals, the LMS system created plots - including animated mode-shape displays and frequency response functions (FRFs) - identifying ten fundamental system modes of vibration of the structure, including rotor bending and twisting, blade torsion, and tower fore-aft and side-to-side bending. The LMS system also accurately identified vibration modes often difficult to predict solely through simulation, such as coupled motion between the nacelle, tower, and rotor bending. Test engineers used LMS Virtual.Lab software to correlate field test measurements with predicted results from a dynamic simulation model developed by NREL wind researchers. Initial evaluations were performed using a Modal Assurance Criteria (MAC) matrix diagram showing where the experimental and theoretical types of modal data aligned and where they diverged.

The 96-channel LMS SCADAS mobile system is a lightweight, battery-powered laptop-size unit less than a third the size of NRELs former cumbersome UNIX-based system.

Animated mode shape displays show engineers how various parts of the wind turbine structure bend, twist and otherwise deform at resonant frequencies.

Resonant modes show up as peaks on frequency response function (FRFs) plots.

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From this comparison, the test engineers were able to provide the dynamicist with information confirming simulation predictions and updating simulation modes when discrepancies were found. In addition, experimental identification of the turbine drive train frequencies were used to adjust the wind turbine controller and resolve vibration problems occurring during operation of the variable speed power electronics.

Adjusting simulation models

For obtaining accurate predictions of turbine vibration characteristics, test-based modal analysis is critical to adjusting models for a wide range of simulation including finite element analysis, multibody dynamics, aerodynamics, acoustics, and blade pitch control, said Richard Osgood.

Stiffness attributes and damping characteristics computed by LMS Test.Lab from modal data is an essential structural parameter needed as inputs to the simulation model to accurately represent structural members as flexible rather than entirely rigid bodies. In this manner, simulations can more accurately predict the realistic bending and twisting motion of components that sometimes can lead to unacceptable deformations and instabilities.

Value of an integrated system

Osgood noted that having this wide range of capabilities in a single system was an important criterion in their selection process, with LMS Test.Lab providing a fully integrated suite of tools - test set-up, control, measurement, signal conditioning, result analysis, data management, and report generation - all in the portable test unit. The PolyMAX feature, for example, automatically highlights resonances so engineers can visually identify natural frequencies in minutes instead of spending hours looking through raw data. With an Active Pictures capability, live test data in the form of interactive, animated plots can be cut-and-pasted into Microsoft Office tools like Word and PowerPoint.
For a modal survey, engineer positions accelerometers on the blade of a 600 KW wind turbine with a 40-meter rotor diameter.

Integration of these functions - plus a fast processing speed enables NWTC engineers to see results immediately after measurements are taken instead of waiting hours or days for post-processing. This fast visualization helps engineers verify the test on the spot, see right away how the structure behaves, get a good insight into the root cause of vibration problems, and easily identify particular areas that need further investigation. A fully integrated system ensures that all tools we need are compatible and

work together properly, Osgood said. If a problem arises, there is only one vendor to contact, and LMS has been extremely helpful in getting our engineers up and running on the new system. The major value of LMS technology in our testing operations is that we can operate more efficiently and costeffectively, providing high-quality data and greater insight into the vibration characteristics of next-generation wind turbines that will serve the nations energy needs in the coming decades.

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Building a robust path for virtual wind turbine design

Leading wind turbine manufacturer partnered with LMS Engineering Services to sharpen capability to master wind turbine acoustics

The large physical size and characteristic acoustic radiation of wind turbines make it a real challenge to accurately simulate wind turbine acoustics early in development. A leading wind turbine manufacturer and LMS Engineering Services joined forces to meticulously build a hybrid vibro-acoustic simulation model, and validate the wind turbine model through operational measurements executed 100 meters above the ground.

The resulting full-scale acoustic wind turbine model enabled engineers to predict far-field wind turbine acoustics with adequate accuracy and efficiency. Collaboration, commitment and expertise helped the team to overcome the projects extreme modeling and testing challenges and allowed the wind turbine manufacturer to establish a robust virtual path for mastering wind turbine acoustics. Advanced testing efforts were deployed to create and validate the vibro-acoustic simulation model, and additionally allowed modeling challenges to be better understood in facilitation of future wind turbine developments.

Optimizing wind turbine acoustics through virtual simulation

The noise wind turbines generate is influenced by many factors, including blade size and design; drivetrain operation as well as the orientation, force and turbulence of the wind. Roughly speaking, a megawatt wind turbine generates a relatively flat 45-55 dBA broadband noise spectrum at a distance of 130-150 meters. At average wind speed, wind turbine noise only drowns out wind turbulence, vegetation and/or traffic noise that is present in the background by approximately 10-15 dBA. Specific tonal noise components occur as a result of dynamic forces that come into play inside the gearbox (teeth meshing), the generator (electro-mechanical poles interaction), and system hydraulics equipment.

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These dynamic forces cause local housing surface vibrations, which distribute the noise to the surrounding area through radiation. The noise generated by driveline rotating machinery also propagates directly through structural noise paths. To accelerate efforts to reduce the noise of its comprehensive range of wind turbines, the manufacturer contracted LMS Engineering Services to run a number of joint hybrid vibro-acoustic modeling and simulation projects. Our motivation to engage in these projects relates to the capability of acoustic simulation in identifying design improvements up-front in the development process, Laurent Bonnet, Leader of Acoustic & Vibration Engineering at the manufacturer in Germany, stated.

The advanced modeling expertise acquired through these projects represents the foundation for building accurate wind turbine models, and enables us to predict the acoustic performance of multiple design variants. Acoustic simulation insight is most helpful in tracing individual noise sources and adapting the design for enhanced acoustic performance early on in the process.

For the initial project, the manufacturer selected its 1.5 Megawatt wind turbine platform, which is currently in operation at a large international install base. LMS engineering consultants helped develop a validated vibro-acoustic model of the full-scale wind turbine, using a method combining structural FE (Finite Element), acoustic BE (Boundary Element) and ATV (Acoustic Transfer Vector) modeling and simulation.

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Challenging tests to create/ validate wind turbine FE model

In the process of building a complete, accurate and full-scale FE model of the wind turbine, the engineering team faced the challenge of characterizing all principal components that make up a wind turbine, such as the blades, hub, rotor, tower, gearbox, brake, bedplate and nacelle. An exceptional modal testing experience was undoubtedly the detailed structural characterization of a 37- meter rotor blade. Such a blade almost entirely consists of a complex laminated composite construction with various curvature geometrical topology with relatively low initial structural damping. Other complex subsystems that were characterized include the large oil-cooled gearbox assembly and the 160-tons and 100-meter tall carbon-steel wind turbine tower. In addition to transfer functions (Frequency Response Functions FRFs) that were acquired for modal analysis and general dynamic assessments, engineers measured and validated FRFs to characterize the interface between various wind turbine parts. This testing approach enabled them to properly define appropriate stiffness and contact area representations. After modeling all individual components and interfaces, they grouped a number of related components into partial system assemblies, such as the rotor hub in combination with the three rotor blades. For each subassembly that was considered, they updated the overall FRF analysis and junction transfer functions by specific measurement blocks. Subsequently, the project team performed FRF analysis on the complete wind turbine assembly in order to update the structural full-system FE model and to validate all cross transfer functions.

Running operational measurements from inside the nacelle

Besides experimental modal analysis, testing efforts also included operational full-turbine measurements to be able to qualify acoustic sound levels, vibrations and forces, Laurent Bonnet stated. The test crew for this extraordinary test campaign consisted of test personnel from both the wind turbine manufacturer and LMS. Overall, it deployed 6 LMS SCADAS front-end stations totaling nearly 400 measurement signals to acquire deflection, vibration and acoustic responses in, on and around the wind turbine. Members of the crew used the LMS Test.Lab software suite to control synchronous data acquisition, and to perform any data analysis action they required. An extra measurement system, equipped with a wireless LAN, operated strain gauge measurements on the rotating rotor blades. In addition to providing lots of data in support of accurate acoustic simulations, Operation Deflection Shapes (ODS), for example, immediately provided valuable insight into the structural operation of various wind turbine components. It took a lot of energy and perseverance from the testing crew to successfully complete this challenging testing assignment, which lasted several weeks. Installing sensor instrumentation required acrobatic skills rather than any other specialty. To equip strain gauge sensors inside the blades, the operator needed to exit through the nacelle roof, climb inside the rotor and enter the interior of the blade, which for the occasion, was positioned horizontally.

During the time of intensive measurement, the crew, packed inside the compact nacelle, faced harsh winter time weather circumstances. On the coldest days, nearly-frozen testing professionals relied on LMS SCADAS front-ends with dripping icicles to fulfill their duties faithfully.

Accurate acoustic simulation and flexible design optimization

Based on the structural full-system FE model created earlier on, engineers derived a Boundary Element (BE) model of the wind turbine through a dedicated skinning procedure. The acoustic BE model makes it possible to simulate the acoustic power generated by the wind turbine through local surface vibrations of various system parts. This information serves as input for the innovative LMS proprietary ATV method that is integrated into the LMS Virtual.Lab software suite, which accurately and effectively translates the acoustic power into farfield noise emissions. The ATV method demonstrates the feasibility of reaching our ultimate goal, which is reliably determining the noise radiation of the entire wind turbine configuration through simulation, Laurent Bonnet commented. The satisfactory level of correlation between the simulated and measured acoustic radiation proves that the new vibro-acoustic simulation method lives up to our high expectations. One of the major advantages of this deterministic acoustic simulation approach is that it supports different kinds of analyses that provide detailed insight into particular noise sources. Through post-processing, engineers are able to trace the modal contribution of specific system parts, or analyze the effect of individual panels and loads on overall noise radiation.

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The engineering information resulting from these investigations is vital for driving development improvements and new wind turbine development. Deterministic acoustic simulations were performed up to a frequency of 200 Hertz, which allowed significant structure-borne noise phenomena to be traced and tackled with sufficient reliability. To keep the massive processing workload that is involved in vibro-acoustic simulation within acceptable levels, multiple processing stations were used to crunch data simultaneously. In parallel with this hybrid vibro-acoustic simulation approach, the wind turbine manufacturer additionally performed hybrid SEA (Statistic Energy Analysis) and far-field acoustic holography. Their engineers used hybrid SEA to model the wind turbine and investigate non-deterministic noise and vibration sources. Far-field acoustic holography, a second high-frequency modeling method, was deployed to qualify noise emissions in the far field and to extract statistically significant acoustic phenomena.

Developing wind turbines with superior acoustic performance

The deployment of the hybrid vibro-acoustic simulation in future wind turbine development processes will help the company in cascading structural and acoustic targets for the complete wind turbine down to subassembly and component level. This new innovative approach strengthens the capability of our engineering teams in efficiently identifying the most promising design concepts and in developing the most effective component variants, Laurent Bonnet concluded. As such, the engineering consultancy project provides us a head start in tackling the root causes of wind turbine noise and in designing countermeasures that further reduce radiated noise levels. Advanced testing efforts provide detailed insight into mechanical wind turbine operation, help create/validate vibro-acoustic simulation models and allow modeling challenges to be better understood in facilitation of future wind turbine development. For a large part, the success of this innovative engineering project was founded on the specialized skills and experience of LMS engineering consultants and our own engineers, which really made the difference.

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Harnessing Wind Power: Natures Inexhaustible Energy Resource

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LMS helps Moventas increase testing efficiency and shorten customer turnaround time in developing wind turbine gearboxes
Speeding up development is a daunting task, however, given the increasing complexity of the designs and the need for machines to operate reliably for decades in adverse weather conditions. These issues all come down to considerably more tests to be performed on each of the custom-designed units. Jari Toikkanen, Manager of the Research and Test Group at Moventas has seen the number of noise and vibration tests quadruple in the last five years, with many projects requiring same-day turnaround. In addition to greater product development efforts for these units, wind turbine OEMs are demanding more vibration tests that measure behavior in greater detail than ever before, says Toikkanen. Tests are done primarily to meet strict demands from regulatory agencies such as the AGMA (American Gear Manufacturers Association) and European ISO standards. The torque arm is four meters wide from bushing to bushing, a half meter thick and weighs another five tons. Engineers perform extensive modal impact testing to ensure that resonances of these components do not match the natural frequencies of the surrounding structure, thus exciting potentially damaging vibrations in the framework, rotor blades, drive shafts and the huge tower the tallest of which is over 200 meters. Generally, the goal is to avoid the modal frequency range of 80 to 150 Hz for the torque arm and 400 to 800 Hz. When resonances are identified within or near these ranges, engineers shift the modal frequencies by modifying the geometry of the gearbox components and torque arm typically increasing wall thicknesses or adding ribs to stiffen parts. The stiffness of torque arm bushings may also adjusted if necessary. Toikkanen notes that the process is complicated by the variable gearing frequencies that excite gearbox and torque arm vibration modes at different rotor blade speeds from an input rotation of five rpm for a light breeze to a maximum of 60 rpm for gale-force winds. Further, Moventas is sometimes required to perform additional tests and studies of fatigue life or torsional vibration beyond the scope of their resources.

Boosting test productivity

Unfortunately, limitations of the former test solution hampered Moventas in always meeting these challenges in a timely manner. Test equipment was awkward to move between test rigs, test setups were typically lengthy ordeals, and engineers had to spend time on multiple test runs because only two channels were available for modal analysis. Also, measurement data had to be postprocessed before results could be viewed, thus requiring tests to be completely re-run if sensors were not properly connected, for example, or if more detailed study was needed to troubleshoot unexpected problems. These limitations were overcome when Moventas implemented the LMS Test. Lab software with an LMS SCADAS Mobile data acquisition system that has eight channels, enough to take all modal analysis measurements in a single run. The system contains an integrated suite of tools Moventas engineers need for modal analysis test set-up, control , measurement, signal conditioning, result analysis, data management and report generation all in a lightweight, portable laptop-size unit. We can easily carry the unit between test rigs at our facility, and if necessary our engineers can go at a customer or end-user site very quickly to provide support or troubleshooting, says Toikkanen.

Studying gearbox resonances

He notes that particular attention is focused on studying vibrations of the wind turbines massive gearbox, which uses a combination of planetary and helical gearing to step up rotor speed 100-fold for driving the electrical generator. Another major component of interest is the torque arm connecting the gearbox to the turbine framework. For large three-megawatt rated models made by Moventas, the gearbox weighs 30 tons and measures two meters in diameter and two-and-a-half meters in length.

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Also, the system is extremely convenient to set up. Built-in workbooks and prompts show us step-by-step where to enter parameters and how to proceed through the process. Templates even fill in values weve used in the past that arent likely to change. Geometry models showing the placement of accelerometers on the gearbox housing are especially useful and easy to configure. From start-tofinish, set-ups with LMS Test.Lab are very fast and easy, so were ready to take measurements in a few minutes rather than several hours. Another capability of LMS Test.Lab that greatly improves testing productivity is on-line monitoring. We can see results immediately as measurements are being taken instead of waiting hours for postprocessing, says Toikkanen. With real-time visualization, we can verify the test on the spot, see firsthand how the structure deforms with every hammer impact, and readily identify the root cause of any unexpected resonances.

Visualization is particularly helpful to Moventas engineers with the animated mode shapes displayed together on the same screen with plots such as frequency response functions (FRFs) showing vibration amplitude versus frequency at key locations on the gearbox. This enables engineers to see immediately how the gearbox housing bends and twists at various frequencies so they can readily identify which bearings are transmitting vibrations and determine critical gearmesh harmonics. When testing is done, report generation features allow Moventas engineers to efficiently create the necessary documentation, complete with LMS Active Pictures that show live test data including mode shape animations in Microsoft Word documents as well as PowerPoint presentations. LMS Test.Lab report generation with Active Pictures lets us quickly create reports that clearly show our designers, customers and regulatory agencies the modal behavior of the gearbox. says Toikkanen.

With its mobility, test set-up, on-line monitoring, visualization and reportgeneration capabilities LMS Test.Lab boosts our test productivity immensely, he notes. Now we can complete routine tests in a few days instead of weeks. When faster turnaround is needed, our team can run an entire battery of modal tests in the morning and have results analyzed and documented that afternoon.

Fast-response engineering projects

In addition to implementing LMS Test.Lab, the company has worked closely with LMS Engineering Services on projects beyond the scope of Moventas resources projects where fast response was needed to meet requirements for key wind-turbine manufacturer customers. In one such project, LMS Engineering Services was called upon to provide critical fatigue life data needed by Moventas customer REPower in Germany for certifying a wind turbine.

Using a combination of planetary and helical gearing, wind turbine gearboxes step up rotor speed 100-fold for driving electrical generators. Moventas uses LMS Test.Lab for modal analysis in studying resonances created by gear-tooth meshing in these units.

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LMS SCADAS Mobile data aquisition system has an integrated suite of vibration analysis all in a lightweight, portable laptop-size unit that Moventas engineers can easily carry between test rigs.

The study was to verify that two critical wind-turbine gearbox cylindrical components a torque arm and gear carrier would withstand expected loads over a 20-year operational lifetime. LMS engineers created finite element models of the components and applied unit load cases to determine the stress-time series on each part. This stress-time series together with the complete load time histories for the components were then used with LMS Virtual.Lab Durability simulation software to determine fatigue life prediction for the base material. Results were provided within two weeks from the start of the project, thus enabling Moventas to give a fast response in verifying that cumulative damage values were well within the safety factor of the designs.

In another project, Moventas contracted LMS Engineering Services to measure the rotational vibration on the low-speed input and high-speed output shafts on a gearbox developed for Spanish wind turbine manufacturer Acciona. Signals from accelerometers mounted directly on the low-speed shaft were fed into LMS Test.Lab for analysis. Signals for the highspeed shaft were obtained from a laser vibrometer system measuring rotational velocity. A series of operating response color maps accurately identified rotational vibration and related resonances for both shafts. In less than one week, Moventas was provided valuable data needed by the wind turbine manufacturer in simulating the dynamic performance of the entire drivetrain.

The collaboration with LMS Engineering Services demonstrates that LMS goes far beyond selling hardware and software, says Toikkanen. Their industry-wide expertise in performing this work and fast response in providing exactly the right data made us look good in the eyes of our customers and made a lasting impression that has immeasurable business value for us.

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A Unique Portfolio of Software Platforms and Engineering Services

Much of the potential gains individual tools offer are lost in developing unique interfaces and error-prone data translations. Each major application family has been built with a consistent user interface paradigm and data model resulting in a consistent platform for numerous application modules. Each modular family is packaged in such a way that users are assured maximum exibility at the most economical price point.

SAMCEF Wind Turbines & LMS Virtual.Lab platform for 3D Performance Simulation
SAMCEF Wind Turbines is the worlds most advanced computation platform dedicated to wind turbine design. From the early stages in the design process, thanks to the integrated parametrized model, down to component vibration analysis, SAMCEF Wind Turbines approach exceeds todays certification requirements. SAMCEF Wind Turbines brings coherence to your design process by providing a common interface to various engineering disciplines, hence improving team work.

LMS Imagine.Lab platform for Mechatronic System Simulation

... is a complete 1D system simulation platform to model and analyze multi-domain, intelligent systems and predict multi-disciplinary performance. Model components are described using validated analytical models that represent the systems actual hydraulic, electric or mechanical behavior. LMS Imagine.Lab frontloads mechatronic system simulation for multi-physics modeling and full system analysis.

LMS Test.Lab platform for Test-Based Engineering

... an integrated platform offering a complete software and hardware portfolio for noise and vibration testing including solutions for acoustic, rotating machinery, and structural testing, reporting and data management. With its unified interface and seamless data-sharing capability between different applications, LMS Test.Lab offers users tremendous efficiency gains and ease-of-use.

LMS Engineering Services

LMS engineers work with customers to solve their most critical problems and often make the difference between successful product launches and costly repairs or even failures. Experienced in critical performance attributes the teams unique balance of skills, engineering experience and process know-how turns attribute engineering into a strategic competitive advantage.

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Structural integrity System dynamics Vehicle dynamics Comfort Noise and vibration

Sound quality Durability Safety Performance Power management

Fuel economy and emissions Fluids Electromechanical systems Thermal management ...

LMS Virtual.Lab
Design - CAD

LMS Samtech suite

Controls

LMS Imagine.Lab
System Synthesis System Data Management Multi-physics Modeling

LMS Test.Lab
Laboratory Testing LMS SCADAS Data Acquisition Systems Mobile Testing

LMS Customer Services

LMS supports its customers with engineers who not only understand the hardware and software, but also master the related engineering applications. Extensive training, seminars, and on-site services help our clients technical staff gain and maintain their software and system know-how. LMS offers a complete portfolio of professional services, including full installation management, on-site training and support, and continuous knowledge transfer.

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Leading partner in Test & Mechatronic Simulation

LMS, A Siemens Business, is a trusted partner of the worlds leading automotive manufacturers and their suppliers, leading aerospace companies, major energy producers and innovative manufacturers of other high tech equipment. As a business segment within Siemens PLM, LMS offers a unique combination of best-inclass mechatronic simulation and testing solutions, and engineering services. We help to get better products faster to the market and turn superior process efciency into key competitive advantages. Through 30 years of engineering innovation, 1,200 people and 40 ofces worldwide, we are servicing more than 100,000 R&D engineers in more than 5,000 manufacturing companies. LMS partners with all of the Fortune 500 top auto- and aero manufacturers.

LMS INTERNATIONAL Researchpark Z1, Interleuvenlaan 68 B-3001 Leuven [Belgium] T +32 16 384 200 | F +32 16 384 350 info@lmsintl.com | www.lmsintl.com Worldwide For the address of your local representative, please visit www.lmsintl.com/lmsworldwide

LMS 2013. All rights reserved. The materials presented here are summary in nature, subject to change, and intended for general information only. Additional details and technical specications are available at www.lmsintl.com. LMS INTERNATIONAL, LMS Test.Lab, LMS Virtual.Lab, LMS Virtual.Lab Designer, LMS Imagine.Lab AMESim, LMS SCADAS, LMS SoundBrush, LMS Test.Xpress, LMS Tec.Manager, LMS CADA-X, LMS DADS, LMS FALANCS, LMS PolyMAX, LMS TecWare, LMS TWR and LMS CDTire, SAMCEF, are registered trademarks of LMS INTERNATIONAL NV. All other trademarks acknowledged.