A guide to anti-vibration mounts

Being able to reduce vibration in machine applications and other industrial machinery is vital for preventing damage and protecting the surrounding structures of machinery. 

Vibration reduction components include rubber buffers, anti-vibration mounts and levelling feet and in this article we'll cover some of the common types and how to select the right on for your application.

Why anti-vibration support is so important
How do anti-vibration mounts work?
Types of anti-vibration mounts
Materials that absorb vibration
How to choose a vibration damping mount

Why anti-vibration support is so important

The bottom line is, if it vibrates, it can wreak havoc.

Vibrations can cause:

• Damage to machine parts
• Loosening of screws and bolts
• Loss of production
• Transmitted noise, which can travel throughout a building
• Damage to floors
• Malfunctions with sensitive and accurate equipment
• Operator discomfort
• Shortened lifespan of machine

These reasons are why anti-vibration solutions are so important.

Anti-vibration mounts are made of rubber or a combination of rubber and other materials. These can be called rubber mounts. The advantage to combining rubber with say, steel, is that it enables easy mounting and provides a durable solution to effective vibration absorption. They’re fastened to your machine and can be used for compression. When your machine is being used, the mounts absorb and dampen vibration, significantly minimising the impact of vibration, such as noise.

If a motor, fan or any other moving part is involved, vibration really cannot be prevented. It can be controlled, which is the job of an anti-vibration mount. It’s an extremely cost-effective solution. Think of a generator and the potential damage vibration can cause. Vibration dampers for machines prevent those problems from occurring. You might find it helpful to check out Types of generators and how they compare and Quick guide: components for your industrial generator.

How do anti-vibration mounts work?

Anti vibration mounts (av mounts) fasten to the application – usually on the bottom – and absorb vibrations. What material absorbs vibration the best? This is critical, of course. Typically, the best vibration damping material is rubber, or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a family of rubber-like materials. We’ll take a closer look at materials further on but first, let’s explore types.

Types of anti-vibration mounts (av mounts)

The most common anti-vibration dampers are popular for good reason: these anti vibration rubber mounts are effective at reducing vibration, shock and noise. You’ll notice the term “Shore” when describing the material. If you’re not familiar with the meaning, check out What’s shore hardness and why should you care?

Here are common examples of anti-vibration mounts (av mounts) for machines:

Materials that absorb vibration

Vibration mount standoffs, also called stud mounts, are often made of rubber and steel, and prevent excessive vibration. These mounts act as a cushion and are sandwiched between two parts. They have a threaded metal insert and are available as male/male or male/female.

Vibration mounts can:

• Reduce installation time
• Increase time between maintenance
• Extend machinery’s lifespan
• Reduce annoying vibration and transmitted noise

TPE and rubber are excellent materials for absorbing vibration. The benefits to mounts made of these materials are below.

Rubber anti-vibration mounts

Rubber vibration dampers often contain another material, such as steel. The advantage to anti vibration mount is that it enables easy mounting and provides a durable solution to effective vibration absorption. They’re fastened to your machine and can be used for compression. When your machine is in use, rubber mounts absorb and damp vibration, significantly minimising the impact of vibration and noise.

Natural rubber is resistant to abrasions and low temperatures, but it has poor resistance to petroleum-based fluids. Nitrile is a synthetic rubber, and this is the most common material used to make rubber mounting.

Rubber, which can be a synthetic or natural material, possesses long-coiled, high-molecular weight chains. These chains are cross bridged with specific chemicals to form a network. The result is a material that can accept and recover from extreme deformation of 200% or more.

Generally, Nitrile material offers:

Generally, Nitrile material has:

Elastomers for vibration isolation

Natural rubber and synthetic materials that mimic rubber are elastomers. What you’re looking for is a balance of properties. You should understand how they affect each other. It might be that you need to reduce a characteristic of one material to strengthen the characteristic of another.

Vibration mounts, which act as feet on machinery and conveyors, are often made of Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE). The advantage of TPE is that is that it’s one of the most effective materials for vibration damping.

It has good tear and abrasion resistance, TPE also has excellent flexural fatigue resistance and high impact strength. Because of its outstanding electrical properties, it’s an ideal solution for applications involving electronics or equipment.

Generally, TPE material offers:

Resistance to chemicals:

How to choose a vibration damping mount

Follow these steps to determine not only the anti-vibration machine mounts you’ll need, but also the number and size required for your application.

Step 1: What’s the machinery’s weight?

This will give you an idea of how many mounts you’ll need, or the size of those mounts. The heavier the machine, the larger the mounts – or number of mounts – will be required.

Step 2: What’s the weight of the mounts you need?

Let’s say your machine weighs 800 lbs. and you’ll be using four mounts. If the weight of the machine is distributed equally, you’ll want mounts weighing 200 pounds each. If the machine’s weight is not distributed equally, you’ll want heavier mounts where it’s needed.

Step 3: What is the machine’s RPM (repetitions per minute)?

Measure the machine’s speed. If you’re designing the machine, you’ll know what its RPM is.

Step 4: What is the machine’s static deflection?

This is how much your mount will compress under the weight of the machine. Using the chart below, let’s return to your machine that weighs 800 lbs, including the fan. Your degree of vibration isolation is 85%. Let’s now say the machine’s fan works at a speed of 1400 RPMs. Draw a line on the chart starting at 1400 RPMs and go across until you hit the 85% diagonal line. Now draw the line straight down. You’ll land on 3.5mm at the bottom. That’s your static deflection.

Step 5: Which mounting type?

Based on all the information you now have, you can choose the mounting type and dimensions that gives you the static deflection you need.

Download free CADs and try before you buy

Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download for free. You can also request free samples to ensure the solutions you’ve chosen are exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which product will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.

Request your free samples or download free CADs now.

Questions?

Email us at sales@essentracomponents.co.uk or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 0345 528 0474.