Applications Thermoplastics New acoustic technologies reduce ambient noise to enhance driving comfort - New acoustic technolo-gies reduce ambient noise to enhance driving comfort .................. p14 - A sun roof frame entirely made of natural fibres ............. p16 A few months ago, Röchling Automotive introduced several innovations related to acoustic optimization. Moreover, several developments from the company's acoustics portfolio are now ready to go into large-series production. The most important innovations in the field of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) optimization are a new air distribution manifold and a car body floor pan made of lowweight reinforced thermoplastics (LWRT). By DR. KLAUS PFAFFELHUBER HEAD OF ADVANCED DEVELOPMENT AERODYNAMICS & ACOUSTICS RÖCHLING AUTOMOTIVE A loud ambient noise considerably reduces the comfort of the vehicle occupants. As air intake systems for the car interior offer great potential for acoustic optimization, Röchling has developed a new central air distribution manifold for the air conditioning system of a middle-class limousine from a large German automotive manufacturer. Noise reduction for a smoother sound The lightweight solution has a sandwich structure and allows the air noise at maximum air flow to be improved by 6dB(A) and by up to 10dB(A) in certain frequency ranges. For the upper part of the air conditioning duct, the engineers used the Seeber- 14 jec composites magazine / No106 July 2016 lite noise-reducing material made of LWRT (low-weight reinforced thermoplastics). This material is also suitable for complex component geometries, and the 80% porosity of the open core layer allows excellent acoustic characteristics thanks to improved sound absorption. In addition, this provides favourable conditions for a significant weight reduction. Other advantages include low pressure losses in the air duct system. Air intake ducts for the engine also benefit from the Röchling approach. When LWRT is used, the outlet noise can be improved by several decibels as unpleasant Fig. 1: Sound design as hiss is filtered required - from smooth to sporty: Röchling Automoout by the tive makes everything possible with a low-frequency absorptive material. This resonatorhttp://www.jeccomposites.com