| e_content"> As fair weather spreads across of the | | | | final vibration to a negligible level. The secret lies in |
| continental US, construction professionals and boating | | | | using the exact materials, size and shape required so |
| enthusiasts both inspect their machinery for the | | | | that when the mount is subjected to force from the |
| season ahead. What to pleasure boats and earth | | | | engine, it contains and deflects it. Think of dropping a |
| movers have in common? According to professionals | | | | rubber ball. It bounces back because of the opposed |
| at AV Products, Inc. they have one issue in common | | | | force generated by its impact. If you were to tie the |
| with several other classes of vehicles, including cars, | | | | ball to your palm instead and slap the ground with the |
| trucks and RVs: vibration. Vibration isolation mounts are | | | | same force, you wouldn’t feel the ground, but |
| an integral part of these machines. Large boats need | | | | you would feel the ball pushing back, deflecting the |
| marine engine mounts to keep in working order, and | | | | force of the impact. |
| construction machinery needs engine vibration mounts | | | | Rubber anti-vibration mounts are far more |
| to function safely. | | | | sophisticated than this, however, because they are |
| How do they work? Anti-vibration mount technology is | | | | calibrated for the specific amplitude or intensity of the |
| based on the principle of planned isolation: using | | | | attached machine. The physics of vibration are well |
| systems to prevent a mechanical system’s | | | | understood, so vibration isolators can be built for |
| vibrations from spreading to the surrounding structures. | | | | specific engines and other machines with a high |
| Without planned isolation, the powerful engines used in | | | | degree of precision. Vibration isolation mounts are |
| forklifts, larger boats and industrial machinery would be | | | | made of materials that match the necessary |
| impossible. Built up vibrations would eventually damage | | | | specifications. For example, rubber is a common |
| the surrounding structures and tear the engine apart. A | | | | material because of its elastic strength, but a mount will |
| static mount such as a metal frame is ineffective | | | | actually be made of a type of rubber designed to |
| because it will either transmit the vibrations into other | | | | meet a specific vibration capacity. If the rubber is too |
| structures anyway, or bounce them back to the | | | | soft, it won’t provide opposing force. If |
| machine, tearing it apart. | | | | it’s too hard, too much of that force will deflect |
| That’s why machines need mounts that will not | | | | back, damaging the engine. |
| only suspend the engine away from other structures, | | | | Unfortunately all systems wear out in time, so whether |
| but provide a way to dissipate vibrations. The engine | | | | your machines are used for business or recreation, |
| floats on its mounts, which absorb vibrations | | | | checking your anti-vibration mounts for wear and tear, |
| without significantly transmitting them to the rest of the | | | | and paying attention to unusual noises and vibrations |
| structure. Vibration isolators do this by providing an | | | | should be one of the fundamentals of spring |
| opposed force; the net result of the two reduces the | | | | maintenance. Your anti-vibration mounts are essential. |