Description
ELASTOMERIC DEVICES
FIELD OF APPLICATION
There are many applications where elastomeric devices represent the most efficient way to solve a given vibration isolation problem, such as:
Source isolation of vibrating machines:
A typical example is the isolation of an emergency power generator of a building like a hospital that is located at the top of building. The backup power supply will be instantly started when a power cut occurs. During the start-up and the operation of the generator the isolation by elastomeric devices has to make sure that the operational vibration of the generator is not transmitted to the building thus not impairing the functioning of medical instruments or laboratory equipment.
Base isolation of buildings:
Elastomeric devices are also frequently used to isolate complete rooms or even buildings from external excitations. Examples range from small rooms with sensitive production or measurement equipment to complete concert halls that are isolated against e.g. the vibrations induced by nearby railway tracks. The protection of complete building structures against seismic events like earthquakes is also possible with special elastomeric devices. However, it requires a thorough analysis of the situation.
Base isolation of sensitive equipment:
Another big area of application is the isolation of production equipment such as machine tools. Here the use of small standard elastomeric devices provides a very simple isolation solution.
DESIGN
Like all VICODA products also VICODA elastomeric devices are based on a modular design approach. The basic design of an elastomeric device consists of a rubber pad that is vulcanized to an upper and a lower steel plate. For the anchoring of the devices the plates may be equipped with threaded holes or bolts.
Rubber materials
The vertical stiffness of an elastomeric device and its damping characteristics are depending on the rubber material and its thickness. The typical VICODA rubber compound used for the elastomeric devices of type RR has a Shore A hardness of 55 and a related damping ratio of 4-5%.
However, in order to cover the wide spectrum of elastic as well as damping requirements other synthetic or caoutchouc based rubber materials are available.
In aggressive weather environments chloroprene rubber provides the required resistance. When resistance against oil or grease is required acrylonitrile butadiene based rubber is available.
