Altair Case Studies Leveraging Simulation Technology to Protect Cultural Assets

	Leveraging Simulation Technology to Protect Cultural Assets Altair

Leveraging Simulation Technology to Protect Cultural Assets

Altair

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation Networks & Connectivity - RFID
Applicable Industries	Packaging Transportation
Applicable Functions	Logistics & Transportation Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Intelligent Packaging Manufacturing Process Simulation
Services	System Integration Testing & Certification
Challenge	The Tokyo National Museum (TNM), founded in 1872, holds over 113,000 cultural assets including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and more. These priceless artifacts often need to be transported between locations, making their packaging and transportation a serious business. The TNM discovered an unexpected and unacceptable vibration loading to these precious artifacts during transportation. The museum had little control over the vehicle dynamics of the shipping trucks, making it clear that the packaging system design needed to be re-evaluated. The TNM had been using coil spring type “vibration isolators” for shipments of cultural assets. These isolators were positioned at the bottom of a shipping box, which contained the art objects. However, the results from both a random lab test and a trial truck shipment indicated a resonance frequency between 10 Hz to 20 Hz, which was within the truck’s frequency range of excitation (10 Hz to 20 Hz), leading to potential damage to the artifacts. Read More
About Customer	The Tokyo National Museum (TNM) is the oldest and largest museum in Japan. Founded in 1872, it preserves a range of archaeological objects and artworks from Japan and the surrounding Asian regions. The museum holds over 113,000 assets consisting of multiple pieces; assets include paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, architecture, metalwork, ceramics, and swords, among others. These artifacts often need to be transported between locations, such as the TNM and temples. The museum places great importance on evaluating its shipping process and packaging systems to ensure the safety and preservation of these priceless and irreplaceable items. Read More
Solution	The TNM collaborated with Altair® and consulting firm eXcearch LLC to pinpoint the root cause of the undesired vibration. The team mapped out a simulation-driven investigative approach incorporating both computer-aided engineering (CAE) and physical testing. They created a dummy packaging box with four isolators placed at 0-degree and 45-degree angles and tested two weights, 176 kg and 88 kg. The team mounted tri-axial accelerometers on the bottom of the dummy box and used a “shaker table” in the lab to measure the response of the system for controlled frequency excitations. Based on their physical tests, the team discovered that resonance frequency shifts to a lower range as the input acceleration increases. The team then moved into simulation mode using the results of the physical test. They applied MBD technology commercially developed by Altair. Using MotionSolve® software for mechanical systems simulation, MotionView® for model assembly and HyperView® /HyperGraph® for results visualization, they created a virtual model of the dummy box. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Networks & Connectivity - RFID

Applicable Industries

Packaging

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Intelligent Packaging

Manufacturing Process Simulation

Services

System Integration

Testing & Certification

Challenge

The Tokyo National Museum (TNM), founded in 1872, holds over 113,000 cultural assets including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and more. These priceless artifacts often need to be transported between locations, making their packaging and transportation a serious business. The TNM discovered an unexpected and unacceptable vibration loading to these precious artifacts during transportation. The museum had little control over the vehicle dynamics of the shipping trucks, making it clear that the packaging system design needed to be re-evaluated. The TNM had been using coil spring type “vibration isolators” for shipments of cultural assets. These isolators were positioned at the bottom of a shipping box, which contained the art objects. However, the results from both a random lab test and a trial truck shipment indicated a resonance frequency between 10 Hz to 20 Hz, which was within the truck’s frequency range of excitation (10 Hz to 20 Hz), leading to potential damage to the artifacts.

About Customer

The Tokyo National Museum (TNM) is the oldest and largest museum in Japan. Founded in 1872, it preserves a range of archaeological objects and artworks from Japan and the surrounding Asian regions. The museum holds over 113,000 assets consisting of multiple pieces; assets include paintings, calligraphy, sculptures, architecture, metalwork, ceramics, and swords, among others. These artifacts often need to be transported between locations, such as the TNM and temples. The museum places great importance on evaluating its shipping process and packaging systems to ensure the safety and preservation of these priceless and irreplaceable items.

Solution

The TNM collaborated with Altair® and consulting firm eXcearch LLC to pinpoint the root cause of the undesired vibration. The team mapped out a simulation-driven investigative approach incorporating both computer-aided engineering (CAE) and physical testing. They created a dummy packaging box with four isolators placed at 0-degree and 45-degree angles and tested two weights, 176 kg and 88 kg. The team mounted tri-axial accelerometers on the bottom of the dummy box and used a “shaker table” in the lab to measure the response of the system for controlled frequency excitations. Based on their physical tests, the team discovered that resonance frequency shifts to a lower range as the input acceleration increases. The team then moved into simulation mode using the results of the physical test. They applied MBD technology commercially developed by Altair. Using MotionSolve® software for mechanical systems simulation, MotionView® for model assembly and HyperView® /HyperGraph® for results visualization, they created a virtual model of the dummy box.

Impact #1	The simulation approach used in this study played a key role in visualizing the troublesome frequency band where the peak vibration could result in cultural assets vibrating and potentially being damaged. The simulation studies enabled the team to model the problem without putting any cultural assets at risk. This approach also lays the groundwork for the TNM to test new spring properties of isolators. The museum can apply the knowledge it gained through this study in selecting the optimum packaging system – including the appropriate cushions to absorb shocks. This study is useful in investigating a range of packaging solutions in the virtual world, not just packaging systems with coil springs.

Impact #1

The simulation approach used in this study played a key role in visualizing the troublesome frequency band where the peak vibration could result in cultural assets vibrating and potentially being damaged. The simulation studies enabled the team to model the problem without putting any cultural assets at risk. This approach also lays the groundwork for the TNM to test new spring properties of isolators. The museum can apply the knowledge it gained through this study in selecting the optimum packaging system – including the appropriate cushions to absorb shocks. This study is useful in investigating a range of packaging solutions in the virtual world, not just packaging systems with coil springs.

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Overview

Leveraging Simulation Technology to Protect Cultural Assets

Operational Impact