The input data useful for the design of the partitions of an enclosure - structure enveloping a sound source (machine), designed to protect the environment of this sound source (machine) - are mainly the conditions prevailing inside the envisaged enclosure (and the degree of aggressiveness with respect to the partitions that may result from the existence of projections such as cutting fluid in the case of a milling machine, water in the case of a water jet cutting machine for example), the existence of projections of solids (chips in the case of machining centers for example, silica in the case of a sander, etc ...), the thermodynamic state considered inside the enclosure (pressure, temperature, presence of vapors more or less inert), the level of acoustic performance required depending on frequency (insertion loss, remaining sound power) and also - where appropriate - the existence of additional constraints such as possibility of disassembly, reaction to fire, explosion resistance, need for partitions to provide thermal insulation, or to be translucent to allow the vision etc ...
In the case of realization in the food industry, in pharmaceuticals, or in hospitals, specific constraints related to hygiene are involved and may necessitate the use of particular absorbing linings (washable, waterproof) or the use of stainless steels. In the case of constructions located outside, the resistance to weather and to corrosion must also be taken into account, what may affect the definition of appropriate construction systems.
Other parameters may be involved such as the authorized mass, the required longevity or the available budget.
Whether small enclosures (cowls), or enclosures for single fixed machines (in the workshops, outside), or enclosures for large machines and for machine groups within which one can penetrate or mobile enclosures or even enclosures mounted on vehicles are concerned, the design of partitions must account the needs in terms of sound reduction (i.e. the ability to oppose the transmission of noise), the effects of amplification of sound levels related to the existence of the enclosure itself and also the accessibility needs in terms of gates whose effectiveness is related to the airtightness (rotating doors, sliding doors, folding doors, rolling doors) and also the needs of air circulation (ventilation, suction of waste ...), the needs for cuts for the passage of material flows (raw material inputs, outputs for finished products), the need for cuts for passages of ancillairies (cables, ducts, pipes ...).
These various inputs are necessary for the selection of products and of construction systems appropriate to the acoustic performance required for the partitions of an enclosure depending on the respective acoustic performance and area of its various subsets: acoustic insulation panels for facades, roof and floor where necessary, access, glass frames, silencers, cuts and openings.