The Institute of Technical Mechanics (tmech) focuses on experimental and numerical methods of mechanics. Both in teaching and in basic and applied research, a vibration and acoustic laboratory is available for this purpose.

The aim of the laboratory is to facilitate experimental investigations in teaching and research in order to reconcile newly developed simulation methods and results and to carry out the identification of missing parameters, which can often only be determined experimentally. In engineering practice, a balanced cooperation with research institutes, companies and industrial partners is desired in order to be able to apply the existing expertise as quickly and successfully as possible. In this context, the institute offers an order-oriented collaboration for companies and industrial partners in order to jointly develop solutions for research projects with special challenges in the field of vibration and sound as well as finite element calculations and multi-body simulations. The existing workplaces also provide the students with an optimal environment for experimentally acquainting themselves with the diverse phenomena of vibration theory in small groups. For the participants (internship participants, bachelor students, diploma students, doctoral students) it is possible to learn and use modern solutions in the field of sound and vibration measurement independently, but under professional supervision. During the practical lessons, it is also important to use and compare different solutions offered in the market in the field of sound and vibration measurement technology.

The corresponding modern equipment in the field of sound and vibration measurement technology is given below in excerpts:

• PSV 400 Scanningvibrometer (Polytec)
• Scadas Mobile with Siemens LMS Test.Lab (Siemens LMS)
• LanXI Analyzer Module with Pulse Reflex Education Pack (Brüel&Kjaer)
• IDE PULSE Frontend with PULSE LabShop (Brüel&Kjaer)
• dSpace with dSpace Control Desk Next Generation Echtzeitumgebung (dSpace)
• m+p VibPilot with m+p VibControl (m+p international)
• MGC-Plus with Catman Professional (HBM)
• Bosch Rexroth Elektroservozylinder with IndraWorks Engineering (Bosch Rexroth)
• Quanser Shake Table II with Quanser Real-Time Control Software (Quanser)

In order to be able to use the mentioned measurement systems, there are a large number of sensors (laser path measuring sensors, inductive displacement sensors, acceleration sensors, free-field microphones, microphone array, intensity probe, tachometer, force sensors, strain gages, etc.) and actuators (electrodynamic shakers, piezoelectric actuators, pulse hammers, etc.) to disposal.

The following fields use the measuring equipment:

• Frequency analysis, modal analysis, order analysis
• Advanced signal processing, advanced filtering of data
• Visualization and data processing
• Correlation of finite element models
• Identification of noise sources
• Beamforming, holography
• Strain gauge measurements
• Control and measurements with piezoelectric sensors and actuators
• Suppression of unwanted vibrations and noises

The combination of the latest hardware and the supplied software environments allows a large part of the occurring measuring tasks in the field of structure testing (linear and nonlinear dynamic systems) as well as operational vibration tests (eg: order analysis, machine diagnostics) to be performed optimally.