Nowadays, elastomeres are indispensable as construction elements in the industry. They are used in all fields already for many years, e. g. as car tires, toothed belts, conveyor belts, construction bearings etc. Also in the machine installation technology optimized vibration insulation systems basing on elastomeres are manufactured and used.

Technical preconditions, reasons for the use of elastomeres as vibration insulation panels

Loadability

The ISOLOC vibration insulation panel IPL30 e. g. can be loaded up to 500 N/cm² (5 N/mm²). Thus also machines with a weight of 10.000 kN can be installed elastically if the support surfaces (? foundations) are correspondingly made.

Level retention

The deformation of an elastomere pad consists of an elastic shape modification which can merge into

creeping, depending on the load and length of time, that acts according to an exponential rule. According to the kind and shape of the elastomere pad and the temperature, the creeping can occur more or less distinctive.
ISOLOC vibration insulation systems are optimized for the use in these fields and make possible good vibration insulation characteristics with excellent level retention at the same time (picture 1).

Elasticity

For an efficient vibration insulation a natural frequency as low as possible and dimension stability of the vibration insulation element is required. This means the vibration insulation element should change shape elastically due to exterior force influence (e. g. by an impact) or tensions. After ceasing the tension the element should return to the original shape (dimension).
ISOLOC gives such a high elasticity that is further increased by the special profiles.

Overall height

ISOLOC vibration insulation panels have a high elasticity with relatively low overall height. Other elements for vibration insulation, e. g. steel springs, are clearly higher (picture 2) due to their construction. This is unfavourable for the operator at machine installations or the required headroom does often not exist.

Easy form-fitting

Machine support surfaces, e. g. of presses or machine-tools, are different in shape and size. The installation elements should therefore be adjusted easily to these conditions.
ISOLOC panels can be easily put into the desired dimension by sawing, drilling, milling, punching and cutting. This can even be done on the spot during installation.

Easy installation

The installation time of a machine must be as short and easy as possible. This means for the vibration insulation elements that they can be mounted simply and easily.

ISOLOC systems make the installation easier, e. g. due to their low overall height. The high friction coefficient impairs slipping so that the machine does often not have to be anchored.

In connection with the patented ISOLOC UMS machine shoes aligning of a machine is no longer an effort.
This is even possible for large presses, please see picture 4.1/4.2. The MW press was mounted on 20 pieces ISOLOC UMSD35 machine shoes

Economy

Due to the high loadability of ISOLOC, smaller dimensions of the insulation systems are possible. This means that the material is few and therefore also the costs are low.

This is especially important for e. g. large, heavy presses. Because of the high (mass) forces of these machines - that are transmitted to the environment - a low natural frequency of the vibration insulation is required.
Due to their construction, conventional steel spring-damper-systems can only be used with expensive and very costly steel frame constructions (picture 5). Otherwise the often eccentric acting mass forces e. g. of forging presses would cause very high amplitudes and especially strong tipping movements. Of course, the need of space for the insulation system + frame is immense and increases with the weight of a forging press. Nowadays, this need of space does no longer exist or is too expensive. Press installations with ISOLOC vibration insulation systems (picture 5) are especially economic.

picture 5: press installation with steel spring-damper-systems and ISOLOC press systems with elastomeres

Diversity by special mixtures

The mixtures of the elastomeres can be changed in that way that e. g. a higher resistance to temperatures or chemicals is possible.