Vibration isolation: how to deal with vibrations and what anti-vibration solutions are available?

Any company can have, at any given time, a vibration problem in their machines, which leads to productivity and efficiency problems. At Epidor SRT, as experts in the design and manufacture of elastomer solutions, we wanted to tell you how to eliminate machine vibrations and what solutions exist.

Vibration isolation elements

The vibration isolation elements of a machine are mechanical rubber-metal components whose main purpose is to isolate the vibratory motion of one part of the machine to the other. In addition, these anti-vibration elements also have the mission, sometimes, to elastically join structural parts to compensate, absorb or accommodate all those deformations that could occur due to expansion, contraction or misalignment between parts and structures. The importance of these rubber-to-metal support elements is essential for almost any type of industrial machinery: air conditioning, agricultural machinery, electrical elements, armament, automotive and transport vehicles, railway equipment, aeronautical industry, public works, etc.

What should an elastic anti-vibration mount look like?

At Epidor SRT we have products that help the industry to build a more sustainable future (in fact, this commitment to sustainability has been reflected in the award of the Silver Medal of EcoVadis). And the selection of the correct anti-vibration support will allow us to manufacture lighter and more efficient machines as well as to eliminate lubrication and wear at certain points. So, the first thing to keep in mind is that the shape and anchorages of the equipment must be studied in each case, since each machine is different and may require different anchorages or fastening needs. It is also important to bear in mind that, if we want to isolate a machine from the rest of the elements, the most effective way is for it to be able to vibrate as freely as possible independently of its surroundings. However, this freedom of vibration is not “the more the better”, but there must be a balance between the support, the size and the hardness of the elastomer. Below, we show you a descriptive table with the elastomer materials used for vibration mounts, being natural rubber (NR) the most usual due to its outstanding mechanical properties:

BASE MATERIALS	NR	NBR	AEM	EPDM
Hardness ranges	35-80	45-85	55-85	40-80
Tensile strength	Very good	Good	Good	Good
Rebound elasticity	Medium to very low	Media	Download	Media
Cushioning	Download	Media	High	Media
Cold flexibility	-45	-20	-20	-40
Constant temperature	70	90	120	110
Resistance to aging	Good	Good	Very good	Very good
Resistance to mineral oils	Download	Very good	Media	Download

Industrial range of anti-vibration mounts

There are specific ranges for marine, railway, etc. applications, although in this case we would like to talk about the range of products to eliminate vibrations thanks to TRELLEBORG-AVS brackets:

Anti-vibration cylindrical bearings

Among the most important features, these supports are characterized by absorbing slight angular movements and are commonly used in:

• Elastic joints.
• Reaction arms.
• Suspensions.
• Stabilizer bars.

Spherical bearings against vibrations

Spherical bearings are a type of vibration isolation bearing that have the advantage of being quiet and maintenance-free. They are mainly used for:

• Railroad suspensions.
• Tie rods for transmissions.
• Suspensions.
• Stabilizer bars.

Vibration isolation element supports

As for elastic mounts for instrumentation (electronic equipment, electrical panels, etc.), there are several designs. The most common and universal anti-vibration isolation mounts are the cylindrical supports, However, there are also “O” type brackets and double “U” type brackets. Other types of industrial mounts that exist to isolate the vibration of a machine are the stops. cylindrical / conical, which absorb the impact. Some of these buffers are fastened with a single bolt, while in cases of applications with high shock energies, the buffers will have several holes drilled in their metal surface, so that they can be fastened with bolts and withstand the highest possible loads. For mobile machinery, it is common to conical supports. We find models such as the Conus Lager (Megulastik) and the Metacone (TAVS), industrial support elements composed of two cone-shaped metal parts joined by a rubber core.

Supports anchored to the ground to avoid vibrations

These are elements that are bolted to the bedplate, as in the case of the M Mounting (TAVS) model, and the machine to be insulated is bolted to them. But in addition to this model, so widely used and reproduced universally, we find the RA Mounting (TAVS) model, a model of anti-vibration buffer bracket with metal housing. There are smaller ones, with 2 holes, and larger ones, with 4 fixing holes. Another model of industrial mounts for vibration isolation is the RAB - RAEM Mounting (TAVS), similar in characteristics to the RA Mounting but with different sizes. Models and supports anchored to the ground:

• V-Lager support (Megulastik).
• Cushyfloat Mounting (TAVS).
• Cushyfloat HT Mounting (TAVS).
• Cushyfloat Mini HD and Cushyfloat HD.

In addition to all, it is important to know that there are other models anchored to the ground, but with a structure with replaceable elastic elements. This is the case of the Cushyfoot model (TVAS) which is characterized by the fact that, with the same structure, it is possible to have several deformation and load capacities. Other vibration isolation elements according to its use and according to the machinery:

• The MO Mount (Megulastik) or EH Mount (TAVS) models, for mobile machinery.
• CAB Mount (TAVS), MDS Mount (TAVS), Metaxentric Bushes (TAVS) or Ultrabush eccentric (Megulastic), for cabin fasteners.
• Hydro Mount DL (Megulastik) or Hydro Busch (Megulastik) models, for hydraulic supports and low frequency isolation.
• The M-Support (Megulastik) or Level Mount (TAVS) models, for leveling supports (this type of support is known as ‘leg supports’).

  We hope you have learned all you need to know about vibration isolation, what types of vibration isolation mounts exist and how vibration treatment helps to increase the productivity and efficiency of a multitude of machines. And remember, if you have any questions, you can contact Epidor SRT to know the best vibration isolation for your machinery.