Malcolm Vardy - Noise and Vibration
Consulting Engineer
I'm a specialist in noise and vibration in the automotive industry.
Read the CV thing below and you'll find I can do whole vehicle programmes
as well as all that crazy technical stuff. Although I'm in the enjoyable
position of not needing to work for a living so will no longer take
on any full time work.
But I still enjoy noise and vibration. And I feel I could offer direction
to a whole lot of manufacturers. But 3 days a week is my maximum, and
be prepared to pay through the nose for my time. Though I might be bored
when you read this so feel free to make me an offer.
Smaller manufacturers especially might see the benefit of me driving
their car (or their competitor cars) and telling them what they need
to do and how to do it rather than wasting all that money paying people
to do those benchmarking graphs that nobody will ever look at.
Curriculum Vitae - Malcolm Vardy
| Location: |
Bedford UK |
| Phone |
01234 881152 |
| E-mail |
|
| Nationality: |
British |
| Date of birth: |
21st April 1972 |
Higher Education
1991-1994 |
Churchill College, Cambridge University
Master of Arts (Engineering Science)
Final year subjects: Dynamics, Mechanical Power Transmission,
Materials, Engineering Design, Economics. |
Career History
Mar 2003
to Present |
Principal Engineer - VORD Consulting Ltd
I formed VORD Consulting Ltd in 2003 to carry out NVH consulting
within the automotive industry. In hindsight that was a bad time
as the auto industry immediately fell into a mini-recession. I
diversified into web design, car restoration, and internet marketing
and now make a comfortable living in these fields together with
occasional NVH consulting.
I enjoy noise and vibration work, and have a good relationship
with Sound and Vibration Technology
(formerly part of the MSX Group). Working with SVT I've helped
develop small hatchbacks, large saloons, vans, crossover cars,
supercars, and even Formula 1 cars.
|
Aug 2001 -
Mar 2003 |
Senior Consulting Engineer (Noise and Vibration),
MSX International
My major project with MSX was to evaluate and resolve road noise
concerns in a C/D class saloon car. MTS IDEA-S software was used
to perform Noise Path Analysis, Multiple Input Coherence Analysis
(noise decomposition), and Panel Contribution Analysis.
Targets were generated from a listening study using MTS Sound
Quality, I coordinated CAE, ride and handling, and workshop teams
to design and implement modifications to the development vehicle.
The completed vehicle surpassed targets and the success of the
project earned MSX further projects with this customer.
|
Feb 2000 -
Aug 2001 |
Senior Noise and Vibration Engineer, Lotus Engineering
I carried out the NVH development programme on a client supercar
project with an advanced aluminium and carbon fibre structure.
My optimisation of body sealing and acoustic pack reduced interior
and improved sound quality while substantially reducing weight
and cost. Combining LMS road test data with a 4-post shaker technique
I tuned powertrain and damper mountings for secondary ride. Other
activities included powertrain sound quality, wind noise and driveline
development.
Using the very effective Apex software to carry out predictive
design work on exhaust silencers for two new models (one of which
was turbocharged), I was able to reduce the size and weight of
the exhaust silencers while improving the quality of the exhaust
notes.
Selling NVH to a senior project manager at Lotus resulted in
me being set a very challenging timescale to carry out a powertrain
sound quality exercise for a model year update of their lightweight
sports car. I combined objective and subjective assessments with
LMS sound quality techniques. The resulting NVH treatment actually
reduced base vehicle weight. I also tuned the intake system to
give the engine a more powerful and sophisticated note. The NVH
characteristics were highly praised by the automotive press. |
Nov 1997-
Jan 2000 |
Noise and Vibration Refinement Engineer, Rolls-Royce
& Bentley Motor Cars
Despite my lack of experience at the time, Bentley were kind
enough to make me responsible for the NVH performance of a major
model year update. At the concept stage, in parallel with development
of the strategy, timing and budget, I was able to demonstrate
the cost, weight and NVH benefits of a fundamental change in differential
mounting strategy. This new strategy was included in the project
specification.
I instigated and managed a series of CAE bodyshell and suspension
models to lead the design process. These models were successfully
used to reduce body noise sensitivity, de-couple vehicle modes
and to develop the engine mounting strategy. I appointed an external
supplier to carry out the development programme under my guidance.
This included the use of sound quality techniques to address specific
powertrain and road noise concerns. |
Sept 1995-
Oct 1997 |
Validation Engineer, Rolls-Royce and Bentley
Motor Cars
I acted as a validation engineer at Bentley before moving into
NVH. As a validation engineer I was responsible for devising and
carrying out rigorous tests on powertrain and chassis systems.
Other responsibilities included developing and managing timing
plans for prototype vehicle usage, and compiling a monthly report
to communicate validation programme status to the project team. |
Interests
I have a strong interest in classic motor cars. I restored
a 1959 MGA Roadster that had been imported from a scrap yard in
Texas. I also own a 1970 MGB
GT V8 to which I've made fundamental changes (including a completely
custom but much needed new rear suspension arrangement) to improve performance,
handling, and sound quality. My everyday car is a Renault
4 (an extremely clever design).
I enjoy snowboarding, skiing, and walking. I managed to combine my
interests of classic cars and snowboarding when I
drove my MGA to the Alps. My interests are detailed on my many personal
websites including vord.net, Renault
4, Aston V8, and MIG
Welding.
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