Vibration Mounts 101: 5 Considerations For Your Application

No application is the same, yet common problems exist across all kinds of machines and equipment used across various industries. Impact loads, vibration, and noise are among the top considerations in virtually every environment, all of which are mitigated with the help of rubber vibration mounts.

Vibration mounts are generally composed of a rubber jacket and metal core that work to reduce vibrations and noise thanks to the damping properties of its rubber component. Depending on the application, they can attach to surfaces or onto the machines via two studs and two tapped holes or one stud and one tapped hole. These mounts are specifically designed to absorb kinetic energy generated during the machine’s operation, preventing damage, minimising noise, and ultimately extending its life while creating a quieter and safer work environment. 

When selecting this key component, there are a few considerations to ensure you choose the right one for your application. In this article, we share 5 of these considerations: 

1. 1. The Mounting Solution

      Vibration mounts come in one or two studs, one or two tapped holes, or one stud and one tapped hole, providing a variety of mounting options. Should the equipment need to only be mounted on one end, rubber bumpers may be a better option. Regardless, designers would have to decide if their application is best supported by a threaded stud or a tapped hole. Thankfully, there is little to no notable difference between mounting configurations as this is primarily determined by the rubber jacket’s material, height, and shore hardness.Attaching a vibration mount can prove more challenging than a rubber bumper since they usually connect two sections of the machine. Squished between two surfaces, they effectively stabilise the assembly and simultaneously absorb shocks and vibrations. However, this gradually introduces wear on the mounts, and they will need to be replaced over time. 

   
   

   2. Amount of Vibration Damping Necessary
      A common use case for vibration mounts is as feet for industrial machinery such as conveyors; thus, the assembly itself will largely dictate the vibration’s severity. Such equipment is known for the significant amount of noise and vibration it exerts on the factory floor. In such situations, levelling feet are recommended since they are specifically designed for such applications.The amount of vibration that can be dampened by a mount hinge on its jacket material. The lower its durometer, the greater the damping effect. This creates an inverse relationship between impact load resistance and vibration damping. Taller vibration mounts that have more rubber material can absorb more vibration at the cost of trading off some impact load capability.
      

   
   

   3. Expected Max Impact Load
      It should be no surprise that vibration mounts are not equal in their damping or shock absorption properties. Jacket material and dimensions significantly affect how they perform in various impact loads. Those with a larger outer diameter can withstand greater impacts but may encounter space constraints in certain applications. Similarly, longer mounts cannot absorb the same loads that shorter mounts with the same outer diameter can. However, they could still be useful as bigger buffers between sensitive parts or moving components. Using progressive resilience, conical-style vibration mounts and rubber bumpers can gradually absorb impact loads. This allows them to resist higher impact loads compared to standard cylindrical options. The difference is similar to gradually turning on a car’s brakes instead of slamming them at once. However, this extra resilience comes at a cost and may be unnecessary in most applications.

   
   

   4. Expected Temperatures
      Vibration mounts can perform without issue in any environment, but their tolerance will largely depend on the exposure time and the jacket material used. Natural rubber vibration mounts can typically sustain temperatures of up to 80°C for prolonged periods and 130°C for short exposures. Conversely, they can withstand -60°C and -40°C in a standard operating environment and short-term exposure, respectively. Different materials will have specific tolerances, and the consequences of exceeding these limits will vary accordingly. Moreover, the importance of this threshold will depend on the application’s performance requirements. Whenever rubber jackets are exposed to excessive temperatures, they lose their rigidity and become pliable. Conversely, being subjected to colder temperatures will make them hard and brittle, resulting in flaking and cracking that could potentially turn permanent. In general, vibration mounts are inadvisable for use in assemblies under direct sunlight or those that require periodic UV disinfection. Constant exposure to UV light will result in performance degradation for these mounts regardless of whether they are made from silicone, NBR rubber, or natural rubber. In such cases, it is better to use a different material like neoprene or find a way to block the UV light.

   
   

   5. The Operating Environment
      Vibration mounts come in many jackets and core materials, and this wide range of options more than just separates their performance characteristics. Depending on the operating environment, these components may come into contact with compounds like grease, oil, acids, and chemical solvents or other environmental factors such as extreme temperatures and UV light, as mentioned above. Therefore, it is crucial that you carefully choose the right combination of materials for your needs to ensure they retain their performance and will not break down prematurely.

Conclusion

Vibration is unavoidable in any machine with numerous moving parts, but too much of it not only outputs obstructive noise but also increases the risk of damage. As such, it is essential to have vibration mounts to mitigate this issue. By reducing as much vibration and shock as possible, you can ensure your equipment operates seamlessly and will not be prone to premature failure.

If you are seeking anti vibration mounts to reduce machine-produced vibrations and noise emissions, look no further than Pharmchem Engineering! Armed with a decade of experience, we are equipped with a wide range of supplies for industrial engineering – from anti vibration mounts and expansion joints to pipe pigging equipment and dry disconnect couplings in Singapore. Do not hesitate to contact us today for solutions according to your needs.