Machine Mounts

Vibrations are all around us

Machines often generate vibrations that cause noise and other negative affects to the surrounding environment. As vibrations spread they can affect other machines, instruments, buildings and – not to be excluded – people.

All transmission of vibration force is a result of contact with a surface. If a machine is stiffly connected to the floor, all of its power will be transferred to the surface – which is then forced to join the machine. If the machine is poorly connected to the surface the frequency can even add up, in which case resonance occurs. When this happens, the power that affects the surface below can multiply many times over.

Machine mounts fitted with rubber to break the direct contact to the floor, soften friction and return the machine to its normal state. The vibrations and corresponding sound waves are isolated directly into the rubber, which prevents loud noise and stops the vibrations from propagating.

Sunnex offers a vast collection of machine mounts for various purposes. We can also customize machine mounts based on the machine and vibration type in question.

A work environment issue that is difficult to tackle

Vibration injuries are one of the most common workplace injuries in Sweden. It’s usually not a single tool or machine that is the cause, but a combination of many factors in the workplace.

Machines also don’t have to vibrate and harm people. Issues with vibration can be solved, for any type of machinery and equipment.

Three collaborating components

Classic machine mounts by Sunnex are made up of three components:

• The bolt with nuts and washers that anchor the machine foot to the machine itself, and adjusts the level in relation to the floor surface.
• The pressure plate or so-called machine chassis which distributes the force of the machine vibrations to the rubber.
• The vibration softening rubber module which ensures that the vibrations of the machine aren’t transferred to the surface. It is usually made of nitrile rubber which boasts qualities like high durability and protection against oils and chemicals.

Different types of machine mounts

Machine mounts with a chassis of cast iron

Machine mounts with a chassis made of cast iron or ductile iron are the product families that can handle the greatest amount of force, and are most suitable for extreme vibrations from for example injection molding machines, crushers and punching machines. Examples of these product families include MHD and SM.

Machine mounts with a chassis of steel

Machine mounts with a chassis of steel come in a variety of versions, including stainless or galvanized steel, and are the most common type of machine mounts

There’s a vast range of sizes and thickness of the rubber. Some models can even handle loads with a certain level of inclination. These feet are used on anything from small pumps and compressors, to large injection molding machines and presses, depending on the size and model. Examples of product families include LLM, AM and the classic OSM series.

Machine mounts of the wedge shoe model

These feet are solely used for levelling and can be placed in any location under the machine, as they are not fixed by a bolt. The top and bottom is covered in a 2mm high frequency rubber which can withstand most types of oil and chemicals in workshop environments. Wedge shoes can be adjusted in steps within their adjustment intervals. They are also commonly used for levelling of medium to heavy machinery in plastic, workshops and graphic industries. An example of a product family is WM.

Cushions/pads

Cushions or pads serve the purpose of softening vibrations, but can’t be used to level machinery and can’t really be called mounts. They come in various degrees of thickness and stiffness, which provides a range of applications and abilities to handle different loads. Pads are easy to install and provide quick vibration dampening effects, sound reduction and friction between the machine and the surface to prevent the machine from moving around.

Sunnex offers five varieties in the SP family, including a thickness of 8mm and 13mm, all measuring 450x450mm.

Different solutions for different types of vibrations

Differences in the characteristics and strengths of vibrations affect the choice of machine feet.

Constant vibrations

Vibrations with the same periodicity over time expressed in rotations per time unit, alternatively blows or pressure per time unit, are known as constant vibrations. This type of vibration is common in for example electronics and is described as harmonic and sinusoidal.

Constant vibrations are generated by for example machines or objects that move or rotate, such as lathes, cutters and drilling machines.

Chock vibrations

Chock vibrations are generated as shocks or blows that temporarily cause a major vibration shift, and which then goes away.

Examples of machines that cause transition chock vibrations are various forms of injection moulding machines for plastic, rubber and eccentric presses. In this case it’s important that the feet are soft enough to achieve a low natural frequency and a relatively low amplitude.

Irregular vibrations

Irregular vibrations, or shakes, are the maximum acceleration and type of shaking. Irregular vibrations are similar to chock vibrations in many ways.

The choice of machine feet

Multiple parameters play a role when choosing machine feet.

One important factor is the pressure load where the load in question must be distributed correctly to the individual rubber elements.

When choosing machine feet you must also consider the weight of the machine or equipment (mass).

Custom solutions

A vibration dampening solution from Sunnex means great flexibility to adapt the application to your needs.

• There are bolts of various lengths and shapes.
• Rubber is based on need (thickness, stiffness).
• Solutions for special customer-wide projects.
• Tailor made packages, quantities, scheduling agreements, etc.

(The solution to vibration issues lies in the custom fitted and advanced vibration dampening rubber which breaks the vibration that will otherwise spread throughout the building and on to people. The rubber stabilizes the machine and reduces noise. A reduction of vibrations will also prolong the lifetime of the machine, which indirectly affects the finances of your operation.

Our offer is extensive. We can offer well-planned solutions for most machines and industries. From small parts with extreme demands on dimension tolerance, to large elements for the most demanding industrial applications.)