| and vibration control is an issue that is much more | | | | During the design process, animal labs may want to |
| common than one might originally think. In fact, it can | | | | consult with a producer of custom-molded rubber and |
| creep up in the most unlikely of places. A good case | | | | rubber-to-metal bonded parts for noise and vibration |
| in point is animal lab environments. Indeed, ALN | | | | control. A world leader in the creation of rubber |
| Magazine recently ran an article titled “Noise | | | | molding and rubber-to-metal bonded parts can help to |
| & Vibration Considerations for the Animal Lab | | | | create an environment that is not only safe for the |
| Environment.” Therein, the publication pointed | | | | animals being kept there but is also conducive to a |
| out, “In the lab animal facility setting, noise, | | | | healthy work environment for the people who are |
| sound, and vibration affect the life cycle, interaction, | | | | employed there. |
| and behavior of animals.” However, because | | | | The Vibro-Insulator line of isolators and mounts, in |
| “the impact of noise, sound, and vibration is a | | | | particular, aid in the control of noise, vibration, and |
| largely undocumented factor in the research,” | | | | shock. Selecting the right type of mount for an |
| it’s an often overlooked issue. | | | | individual animal lab’s specific applications can |
| “If the sound pressure levels get too | | | | prove tricky, however. That’s why |
| high,” the article continues, “there is a | | | | consultation with an expert with reputable |
| negative impact on animals and structures.” | | | | qualifications in rubber molding and rubber-to-metal |
| Vibration control, however, is just as important to | | | | bonding can be very beneficial. |
| these animals as noise control in that it “is a | | | | Of course, once professional advice has been |
| driving force behind radiated sound.” | | | | obtained, browsing the Vibro-Insulator catalog allows |
| Obviously, exposure to noise and vibration can be | | | | animal labs easy navigation so they can select the |
| detrimental to an animal’s hearing, but the | | | | correct mount for their application. Rubber |
| risks don’t stop there. “Sound and | | | | Vibro-Insulators come in a variety of styles and sizes |
| vibration can [also] have a physical impact on | | | | to handle most vibration isolation problems. Most of |
| animals.” Even more startling, “Smaller | | | | the mount styles are designed to be used in either |
| animals are more susceptible to the affects of sound | | | | the compression or shear direction. |
| and vibration over time and will adapt or adjust | | | | Selection of the proper Vibro-Insulator for a specific |
| accordingly. In some cases, mutations may result | | | | application boils down to a multi-step mathematical |
| from exposure to undesirable conditions.” | | | | function that an expert can calculate for the lab or |
| How can animal laboratories mitigate these problems? | | | | into which the lab’s design team can plug the |
| The magazine notes, “The designers can | | | | following information: |
| control items that are constant disturbances that | | | | 1. The maximum load that must be supported. |
| may greatly impact the animal community. Items | | | | 2. The number of mounts supporting the load. |
| within the designer’s control include ventilation | | | | 3. The frequency of the disturbing vibration. |
| system design, machinery vibration isolation, wall | | | | 4. Any restrictions on the size or style of the mount |
| construction, lighting selection, and computer terminal | | | | based on space limitations or assembly considerations. |
| placement.” | | | | |