Vibrations from heavy industrial machinery can pose significant challenges in industry and cause manufacturing processes to be less efficient and more costly to run.Here’s we outline some of the main issues associated with these vibrations and how Megamat’s anti-vibration pads for heavy machinery can mitigate these problems:
Issues Related to Vibrations
Vibration in industrial processes will cause problems to more than just the machine that is vibrating. These problems can be grouped as follows.
1. Structural Damage: Continuous vibrations can cause wear and tear on both the machinery and the surrounding structure. This can lead to cracks in the foundation and a reduction in the lifespan of the equipment
2. Noise Pollution: Vibrations often generate a significant amount of noise. This not only disrupts the work environment but can also lead to health issues for workers exposed to continuous noise.
3. Accuracy and Performance Degradation: Precision machinery requires stability for accurate operation. Vibrations can lead to misalignments and calibration errors, reducing the efficiency and effectiveness of the equipment.
4. Maintenance Challenges: The continuous vibrations increase the wear on various components, leading to more frequent breakdowns and higher maintenance costs.
Problems vibrations cause in different industrial settings.
1. Cyclically Operating Machines:
Problem: Wear and Tear
Example: In repetitive operations like conveyor systems, vibrations can cause continuous wear on belts and rollers, leading to frequent replacements and downtime.
2. Pulsed/Alternative Operating Machines:
Problem: Misalignment
Example: In injection molding machines that operate in cycles, vibrations can cause misalignment of molds, resulting in defective products.
3. Chillers:
Problem: Efficiency Reduction
Example: Vibrations in chillers can cause misalignment in the compressor, reducing cooling efficiency and increasing energy costs.
4. Heat Recovery Systems:
Problem: Heat Exchange Inefficiency
Example: In heat exchangers, vibrations may lead to leaks and inefficient heat transfer, requiring costly repairs and energy waste.
5. Rotary Presses:
Problem: Print Misalignment
Example: Vibrations in rotary presses can lead to misalignment of printing plates, causing errors in printed materials.
6. Looms:
Problem: Fabric Defects
Example: Vibrations in looms can lead to uneven tension in threads, resulting in fabric defects and quality control issues.
7. Compressors:
Problem: Mechanical Failures
Example: In industrial air compressors, vibrations can cause wear in seals and bearings, leading to mechanical failures and leakages.
8. Air Conditioning Units:
Problem: Noise and Efficiency Loss
Example: Vibrations in commercial air conditioning units can create noise pollution and reduce cooling efficiency.
9. Inertia Pits:
Problem: Structural Integrity
Example: Vibrations in inertia pits, used to balance forces in machinery, can lead to cracks and undermine the structural integrity of the system.
10. Electricity Generators:
Problem: Power Fluctuations
Example: Vibrations in generators may lead to imbalance in load and power fluctuations, impacting the reliability of the energy supply.
11. Lathes, Draw Benches:
Problem: Surface Finish and Dimensional Inaccuracies
Example: In metalworking lathes and draw benches, vibrations can affect the surface finish and dimensional accuracy of the workpiece, compromising the quality of the end product
To achieve complete or partial mitigation of the vibrations you will need to look at anti-vibration pads for heavy machinery mounts that have the nesseccary properties to do the job.
Anti vibration rubber pads for heavy machinery
Rubber can play an important role in vibration isolation. Megamatt anti-vibration pads for heavy machinery combine 2 types of rubber in their production. They are SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) and EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber. Rubber is a key component in the anti vibration pad mounts
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is a type of synthetic rubber derived from styrene and butadiene. These two components are copolymerized, meaning they are chemically combined to form a new material with unique properties. It has many industrial applications due to its excellent abrasion resistance and ability to maintain its flexibility over a wide temperature range.
In terms of vibration control, SBR is particularly useful for a few reasons:dd
- Damping Properties: SBR has excellent damping properties, meaning it can absorb and dissipate energy. When vibrations travel into a piece of SBR, the material converts the vibrational energy into a small amount of heat, which is then dissipated. This reduces the amount of vibration that is transmitted through the material, making it an effective vibration isolator.
- Durability: SBR is highly durable and resistant to wear and tear. This makes it suitable for applications where it may be subjected to constant or high levels of vibration.
- Versatility: SBR can be manufactured in a wide range of hardness levels, allowing it to be tailored to specific applications. Softer versions can be used where low-frequency vibrations are a problem, while harder versions can be used for high-frequency vibrations.
- Cost-effectiveness: SBR is relatively inexpensive to produce compared to some other types of synthetic rubber, making it a cost-effective choice for vibration control applications.
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) is a type of synthetic rubber that is widely used in various industries. It’s made from ethylene, propylene, and a small amount of a diene monomer which enables cross-linking. EPDM is known for its superior resistance to heat, UV rays, ozone, and weathering, which makes it ideal for outdoor applications.
When it comes to vibration control, EPDM has several beneficial properties:
- Damping Properties: Similar to SBR, EPDM has good damping properties. It can absorb and dissipate vibrational energy, thereby reducing the transmission of vibrations. This makes it an effective material for vibration isolation.
- Flexibility and Resilience: EPDM maintains its flexibility over a wide temperature range and is highly resilient. This means it can absorb shocks and vibrations and then return to its original shape, making it ideal for applications where it may be subjected to repeated or continuous vibrations.
- Environmental Resistance: As mentioned earlier, EPDM has excellent resistance to heat, UV rays, ozone, and weathering. This makes it a good choice for vibration control applications in harsh or outdoor environments where other materials might degrade more quickly.
- Chemical Resistance: EPDM is resistant to many types of chemicals, including some acids, alkalines, and ketones. This can be beneficial in industrial settings where the material may come into contact with various chemicals.
Megamat Anti Vibration Mats
Thanks to its excellent build quality Megamat anti-vibration mats heavy machinery( or sometimes called an anti-vibration mat) are first class in their field..
It is an easy to lay, versatile solution for your industrial vibration issues that can be applied under slabs or floating substructure. It comes in a wide range of densities and thicknesses. It also can be doubled up where needed. Other features such as having a waterproof backing layer means this is a vibration isolation solution that will provide long term performance and reliability Once installed this solution will achieve complete or partial mitigation of the vibrations from your industrial machines. The many benefits of our anti-vibration floor pads for heavy industry are as follows.
1. Absorbing Vibrations: they are are specifically designed to absorb vibrations, thereby reducing the transfer of energy to the surrounding structure. This can mitigate the risk of structural damage.
2. Noise Reduction: By dampening vibrations, these pads can also further reduce vibration and the noise generated by machinery. This leads to a more pleasant working environment and helps to comply with noise regulations.
3. Enhanced Accuracy: With reduced vibrations, machinery can operate with greater precision. This is particularly important in applications where high levels of accuracy are essential, such as CNC machining.
4. Improved Equipment Longevity: Our Megamat anti-vibration pads will reduce the wear and tear on machinery components, leading to longer operational life and reduced maintenance requirements.
5. Energy Efficiency:. By minimizing vibrations, energy is not wasted in generating unnecessary movement and noise, allowing machinery to operate more efficiently.
6. Customizable Solutions: They can be be tailored to specific machinery and applications, allowing for optimal vibration control. This customization ensures that they suit the specific needs of each piece of equipment .