Ventac Perspectives: Mark Simms, Research and Development Director

At Ventac, we specialise in providing tailored acoustic solutions for manufacturers that don’t have in-house noise control expertise. In this blog, Mark Simms, our Research and Development Director, discusses the importance of acoustic testing, emerging industry trends, and how Ventac’s innovative approach helps manufacturers overcome noise challenges in a range of vehicle applications. Let’s hand over to Mark, who will give us an insight into our processes.

Acoustic Camera Technology

Our Approach and Capabilities

“At Ventac, acoustic testing plays a crucial role in our strategy, particularly in serving companies that don’t have in-house acoustic engineering teams. This is where we come in, acting as an outsourced acoustic engineering team to characterise noise issues, design tailored solutions, select the optimal materials and ultimately deliver high-performance acoustic products. The vehicle manufacturers that benefit most from Ventac’s acoustic testing services are those prioritising operator and passenger comfort. Companies looking to enhance the overall experience of their vehicles understand the critical role that acoustic quality plays in providing a sense of safety and comfort. This extends beyond large passenger vehicles to material handling equipment, where the operator’s comfort is paramount.

“Ventac’s approach combines state-of-the-art acoustic testing equipment with in-house laboratory capabilities, allowing us to deliver precise, data-driven insights. Collaboration with our customers is essential, as they have the deepest knowledge of their vehicles. By working closely together, we ensure that our acoustic solutions enhance vehicle performance without compromising other key functions. Ultimately, our goal is to help manufacturers create quieter, more comfortable and more sustainable vehicles for operators and passengers.

“At Ventac, our testing services cover a broad range of acoustic evaluations, including operator noise exposure, internal and external noise levels, and overall sound power assessments. While regulatory compliance is a key driver, many of our customers also seek a competitive edge by delivering superior acoustic performance in their vehicles. Our projects focus on achieving all three objectives: legal compliance, enhanced passenger comfort, and competitive differentiation.

“A typical vehicle noise control project at Ventac begins with baseline noise measurements under various operating conditions. For example, bus testing involves evaluating acceleration and steady-speed noise levels on public roads, while forklift testing examines lift-and-drive operations in controlled environments. Once baseline data is collected, we conduct preliminary prototyping, installing acoustic materials in key areas to assess their effectiveness. Depending on vehicle access, we refine our approach using sound quality analysis, binaural headsets, acoustic cameras, and vibration analysis tools. A comprehensive report is then generated, outlining recommended solutions based on the customer’s investment and performance targets.”

Our Approaches and Responses to Challenges

Research and Development Team (L-R): Michael Hand (Research and Development Engineer), Ruth Scott (Engineering Manager), Zach Dennison (Manufacturing and Design Engineer), Patrick Brennan (Manufacturing and Design Engineer), Mark Simms (Research and Development Director).

“Occasionally, we encounter particularly complex acoustic challenges that require deeper analysis. Vehicle acoustics must be optimised while accommodating various design constraints, such as aesthetics, cooling system functionality, and structural integrity. Our team carefully selects materials that balance performance, durability, and ease of installation to ensure seamless integration into the vehicle. Our approach to customer challenges is unique. By working with a diverse range of vehicle applications while operating our own acoustic testing laboratory, we can evaluate new materials and assess their real-world performance. This ensures we stay at the forefront of industry advancements, continuously improving our ability to provide effective acoustic solutions.

“A significant challenge vehicle manufacturers face is meeting stringent acoustic compliance standards. The key to overcoming this is providing optimised solutions tailored to the specific limitations of each vehicle. This involves navigating challenges such as space, varying temperatures and harsh operating conditions. Our team select the best-performing solutions for any given environment and adapt them to the unique requirements of each vehicle. One recent example of our findings involved a vehicle experiencing significant resonance from its powertrain. The vibration energy radiated through the floor, creating an issue that conventional acoustic materials could not resolve. Instead of relying on foam and fibreglass insulation, we implemented our patented Ventac Pro Composite Range. This solution integrated acoustic properties directly into the partition, effectively mitigating the resonance problem.

“Another example involved a mysterious whistling noise in a bus. The manufacturer’s engineers had spent months unsuccessfully trying to locate the source. Using an acoustic camera, we quickly identified the issue—vibration energy from the turbo was exciting the seat rail along the floor, generating the whistling sound. By repositioning the turbo, we resolved the problem.”

Looking Ahead for Ventac and the Future of Acoustic Testing

Acoustic Camera Technology in a Typical Acoustic Test

“Innovations in acoustic testing technology continue to shape our industry. One emerging area of interest is meta-materials, engineered to provide specific frequency responses based on their structure. Advances in 3D printing are making these materials more feasible, though cost and manufacturability remain hurdles. As these challenges lessen over time, Ventac is actively exploring how this technology can be applied to vehicle acoustics. Our ongoing collaborations with technology centres and academic institutions allow us to stay ahead of emerging trends and identify innovative applications for new materials.

“The rise of electric and hybrid vehicles has also transformed acoustic testing. While these vehicles tend to produce lower overall noise levels, they often introduce new sound quality challenges, such as harsh and tonal noise profiles. To address this, we’ve invested in advanced sound quality measurement equipment that enables us to precisely characterise and refine the passenger experience. Unlike traditional combustion vehicles, electric models can suffer from intrusive tones generated by their powerful motors and powertrains, making it essential to engineer solutions that enhance acoustic comfort.

“Looking ahead, the role of acoustic testing is set to evolve further. Over the next five years, we will continue to expand our expertise beyond acoustics to include thermal management solutions. We have already developed the Ventac Battery Wrap, which has proven successful in customer trials in preventing thermal runaway, in UV testing and allowing the battery to perform better in extreme temperature fluctuations. But the plan is to do more in this sector. We want to develop solutions that optimise energy management in electric vehicles—particularly in HVAC systems and battery protection applications. As the industry shifts towards sustainability and efficiency, Ventac is committed to staying at the forefront to provide our customers with effective solutions.”

Get in Touch

Thermal Camera Used in Electric Vehicle and Battery Wrap Testing

Connect us today at info@ventac.com to speak with a member of our team, request our services or a brochure, or click here to learn more about our Acoustic Testing here: https://ventac.com/vehicle-noise-control-solutions/acoustic-testing-labs/

Click here to learn more about our work: https://ventac.com/case-studies/

Click here to find out how we serve the vehicle sector: https://ventac.com/vehicle-noise-control-solutions/