German test and measurement firm GÖPEL electronic has introduced its CARoLINE acoustic tester for quality assurance in automotive applications.

CARoLINE offers eight-channel synchronous sound measurement and analysis for detecting noise in mechatronic electric motor vehicle components. CARoLINE records noise data from a variety of sensors that measure vibrations or airborne sound. This data is evaluated in the associated software using a range of analysis options.

The CARoLINE advanced model is supplied as a plug-in module for 19-inch racks or as a standalone device and can record signals from up to eight sensors simultaneously. It can also record analog displacement/rotation angle and digital trigger signals. The CARoLINE smart model, which only includes four sensor channels, is available for those with lower budgets.

The CARoLINE system has various acoustic analysis methods, such as modulation analysis, which can be used to calculate how strongly a certain frequency fluctuates during a selected movement.

Individual sensors are selected for each specific case and then mounted at a suitable distance from the mechatronic electric motor noise source of the test object. The sensors are connected to the CARoLINE system, which, after triggering the test sequence, synchronously records and evaluates the noise levels during operation and immediately compares them with parameters and limit values stored in the system. This detects deviations in production quality immediately so they can be corrected if necessary.

Source: GÖPEL electronic