SDM applications to machine tools and engines

The method of structural dynamic optimization is applied here to two real-l ife structures, a small two-cylinder, air-cooled gasoline engine and a high speed machine tool. The aim of the first application is the reduction of t he kinematic vibration transmission path composed of a piston-connecting ro d, a crankshaft and an engine block, while the goal of the second applicati on is the lowering of the peaks of the spindle-drive point FRFs measured al ong two orthogonal directions. It is shown how the addition of a small amou nt of mass at a few points on the engine block, and a small dynamic absorbe r with highly damped elastic connections provides the required improvements for the engine and the machine tool respectively.