Industrial Vibration Reduction
Vibration generates noise, so industrial vibration reduction is an intrinsic part of noise control for factory machines and elsewhere. However, vibration can also cause a problem in its own right – discomfort, risk of damage to buildings and people, etc. So it can be necessary to reduce vibration where noise is not a problem.
Vibration noise, i.e. noise generated by vibration, is very common in industrial machines and buildings. Any surface that vibrates radiates noise, just like a drum skin. So reducing vibration also reduces noise. For details of how to reduce noise that is generated by vibration, see noise abatement solutions or noise control at work. For details of how to reduce vibration alone, carry on reading.
How to Reduce Vibration
Sometimes specialist vibration isolation material is the best way to reduce vibration. Sometimes an anti-vibration mount is the best solution to a vibration problem. We carry out an independent assessment of the vibration reduction options to determine the best solution that provides the amount of reduction needed at minimum cost.
The approach of our company to industrial vibration control / isolation is to assess a wider range of options than normally considered, and this can provide higher vibration reductions than common solutions. For example, we use some specialist types of vibration isolation material to provide a higher reduction than is possible with the types of vibration isolation material or anti-vibration mount usually used on industrial machines.
Our solutions can also be applied to non-industrial situations, very successfully.
Anti-vibration mount and vibration isolator selection
There are many different types of anti-vibration mount (also known as vibration isolators). Each provides a different amount of vibration reduction. To ensure adequate vibration reduction it is essential to choose the optimum type of vibration isolator or isolation material, taking account of the weight of the machine and the frequencies where the highest vibration occurs.
Often, an industrial anti-vibration mount / isolator is selected using theoretical data only, whereas the reduction actually achieved can be very dependent on the vibration response of the structure that the anti-vibration mount is attached to. Resonances can mean that, in some cases instead of reducing it, the isolators and anti vibration mounts amplify the vibration causing the discomfort or noise nuisance!
By carrying out vibration measurements on both the support structure and the vibration source (e.g. industrial machine), together with narrow band frequency analysis, our vibration engineer can determine the optimum vibration control solution. The best vibration solution is that which achieves the highest possible vibration reduction at the frequencies causing the discomfort or noise nuisance.
Example of how to reduce vibration:
The vibration from two compressors in a company plant room was causing considerable noise nuisance as well as vibration in the office below. We were asked to reduce the vibration and noise in the office. Our diagnostic tests confirmed that vibration transmitted from the compressors was the cause of the high office noise levels, even though vibration isolator pads were fitted beneath each compressor machine. By carrying out narrow band frequency analysis of the noise, our engineer found the main vibration frequencies causing the noise nuisance in the office. He then selected an anti-vibration material that provided a much higher vibration reduction than the existing vibration isolation pads at the frequencies causing the noise nuisance. The new vibration isolation material was highly successful, reducing the noise in the office by 22 dB, making the compressors completely inaudible in the office. No vibration could be felt in the office afterwards.
How to get help with Industrial Vibration Reduction
Our vibration consultants have helped many companies to reduce industrial vibration from a wide range of different machines and fans. We work all over the UK. To find out how our engineers can help you with industrial vibration reduction and control, please contact us as shown below.
For help with a noise problem contact us
or call us on 01727 864667