If you have ever been near or operated an industrial equipment, you must be familiar with the noise and vibrations they produce when they are in operation. If not addressed in time, these vibrations can impact the performance of the machinery. One way to overcome these vibrations is by using anti vibration mounts.
Anti vibration mounts are composed of hard plastic, rubber and steel, which are bolted to the machinery to reduce shock and vibration. These mounts are particularly intended to eliminate vibrations, and hence, they are a necessary component of an equipment. The mounts come in a range of sizes and styles, and can reduce all types of noises and vibrations. The most common applications of anti vibration mounts are:
- Industrial equipment and machinery
- Military hardware
- Cooling systems
- Medical supplies
- Generators
- Condensers
- Heat pumps
Why Anti Vibration Mounts Are Essential
Just like any other component in a machine, anti vibration mounts also play an important role in ensuring optimum performance. Appliances that run without vibration eliminators not only cause discomfort to the operator, but also decrease the lifespan and efficiency of the appliance. That is because vibrations tend to damage or loosen certain parts of the machine, which may gradually lead to total failure of the machine. An increase in damage would also result in frequent repairs and replacements, and thus, increasing the cost of operation.
That is the reason you should make a priority to install anti vibration mounts to ensure your machine operates smoothly and protect it from unwanted impacts that cause wear and tear. These mounts are made from heavy-duty materials that offer maximum isolation against varying shock loads. They can be used in both sensitive equipment and heavy machinery as they can absorb both low and high frequency vibrations.
But, before you select any mount, you must consider the following factors:
Table of Contents
How are you planning to install the mount?
Anti vibration isolators are available in a range of configurations, such as a single stud, a single tapped hole, two studs, two tapped holes and so on, giving different mounting options. Based on the structure of the machine, the designer must decide which mount would fit perfectly. For instance, if the element only needs to be mounted on one end, then rubber bumper is an ideal option. Note that there is no notable difference between these mounting configurations as the performance is determined only by the height, hardness and material of the rubber jacket. Installing a vibration isolation mount is more difficult than a rubber bumper as it needs to be mounted on either end. They are used to connect two parts of the machine together. When installed properly, the mount can effectively stabilize the machine by absorbing shock and vibration and reducing wear and tear.
What would be the expected impact load at maximum?
Rubber bumpers and vibration isolation mounts don’t have the same shock absorption and damping properties. The material of the jacket and dimension affect the performance of these components under different impact loads. Mounts with a larger outer diameter can handle greater impacts, but they may not fit in if there are space constraints. Likewise, mounts with bigger lengths cannot absorb load as high as smaller mounts, but they may be useful in building a better buffer between moving parts and sensitive parts.
How much vibration damping is required?
The severity and frequency of vibration are determined by the application itself. Shock absorbents are commonly used as feet in large industrial equipment like conveyors. These systems exert a huge amount of vibration and noise when placed on a factory floor. In such cases, using levelling feet is advisable. The quality of the jacket material decides how much vibration a vibration mount can dampen. The lower the reading of the vibration mount jacket on the durometer, the more vibration dampening it offers. However, it also creates an inverse relationship between impact load resistance and vibration dampening. A taller mount with more rubber can offer more vibration dampening, but it also reduces impact load capabilities.
What is the operating environment?
The performance of rubber bumpers and vibration mounts with different jacket and core materials also depend on the environment they operate in. These components may be exposed to different chemicals and compounds, such as grease, petrol, oil, acid and other solvents as well as environmental factors, such as UV light and extreme temperature. Choosing the right combination of materials can ensure that mounts will sustain their performance and don’t fail prematurely. For instance, a natural rubber jacket with stainless steel core and shore 40 durometer offers no resistance to oil and grease or moderate resistance to acid and alkaline. On the other hand, silicone jacket with stainless steel core and shore 55 durometer offers high resistance to acid, oil, grease and alkaline. That is why it is important select the right combination of materials to ensure a longer lifespan of the mounts.
Is the cost of the mount a concern?
Some combination of vibration mounts and rubber dumpers offer tremendous performance because they are being made with more expensive materials and designs. The difference in price would not be a matter of concern when the quantity is small, but it quickly becomes apparent when ordering in a large quantity. Hence, you should choose the mount according to the application. For instance, an expensive silicone jacket with stainless steel core offers high wear and chemical resistant, but they are not required in most applications. Whereas a natural rubber jacket with stainless steel core is relatively cheaper and works fine in many applications.
Conclusion
The bottom line is when looking for anti vibration mounts keep the above mentioned factors in mind in order to choose the right mounts for your application. If you are not sure, you can contact rubber vibration mounts specialist, like AV Industrial Products, who can provide expert guidance and insight so you can find the right vibration mounts that match your requirements.
