Full Anechoic Chamber for Emissions Control Testing

Driving Innovation Through Advanced Full Anechoic Chamber Testing

Arvin Sango partnered with ACS to establish a North American technical center equipped with advanced acoustic and emissions testing capabilities, including a full anechoic chamber, a semi anechoic chamber, and an integrated sound testing chamber. Designed to replicate the precision of their Japanese operations, the new facility strengthens local collaboration with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partners, accelerates prototype development, and expands the company’s ability to innovate within the U.S. market.

The Challenge

Arvin Sango, a Tier I and II supplier of exhaust and emissions systems and other components, required a technical center to enhance product research and development within close vicinity of their North American clients’ product development locations. This proximity would enable Arvin Sango to bring the testing capabilities of their Japanese technical center to current clients and future clients in North America, improving both local and global presence. To successfully replicate the specialized testing capabilities of their Japanese testing center, site selection alongside facility and testing design and construction demanded consistent alignment with existing testing frameworks for exhaust and emissions systems.

The Solution

ACS partnered with Arvin Sango to identify a site that aligned with the company’s culture and operational goals. Once selected, ACS led design and engineering efforts to develop a facility centered around highly specialized test needs. The new technical center incorporates a full anechoic chamber designed for precise exhaust noise measurement, a semi anechoic chamber built around an integrated 4WD chassis dynamometer, and a dedicated sound testing chamber for expanded test capabilities across multiple product lines. The facility also includes cold flow testing areas, a large open high bay for prototype development and material testing, and space reserved for a future test cell expansion.

During the design and test equipment procurement phases, ACS utilized internal expertise and test knowledge to ensure the best value for money on specialized equipment procured and integrated with the full and semi anechoic chambers. When needed, ACS designed and manufactured customized equipment such as a gasoline fuel panel and gas detection panel, to address test requirements. The full anechoic chamber, for example, needs to measure the sound created by a tailpipe where the engine creating the noise is in a test cell adjacent to the acoustic room. Similarly, the semi anechoic chamber is integrated with the 4WD chassis dynamometer. Through an innovative design, air can be distributed into the test spaces to provide engine and tire cooling without adding support cooling fans. The facility is outfitted with office and support areas for internal staff and Arvin Sango’s automotive OEMs, offering in-person communication during research and development.

The Outcome

Key Features

• Turnkey design, construction, systems integration, and commissioning
• Ground‑up greenfield build to support advanced automotive testing
• Full anechoic chamber designed for exhaust noise measurement and acoustic validation
• Semi anechoic chamber with integrated 4WD chassis dynamometer
• Dedicated sound testing chamber for expanded acoustic testing
• Cold flow testing capabilities
• Offices and restrooms to support onsite engineering collaboration
• Open high bay for prototype development, materials testing, and engine preparation
• Machine room supporting facility operations

ACS Services

• Delivered site selection consulting and front end planning
• Provided turnkey facility design, construction, and integrated systems engineering
• Designed and fabricated custom equipment including gasoline fuel measurement panels, gas detection panels, facility PLC architecture, and remote I/O panels
• Integrated test equipment into the full anechoic chamber, semi anechoic chamber, and sound testing chamber environments
• Executed commissioning to ensure operational readiness across all test spaces