Vibration isolation
Alara-Lukagro delivers a wide range of products for sound- and vibration isolation. In this respect, a clear distinction can be made between products based on their application area:- Industrial applications
- Buildings and other architectural construction
Industrial applications
Many machines do not only produce direct noise into the area they are located in, but also cause discomfort by the transmission of vibrations by means of mechanical constructions. As a result, the sound level in that particular area might be (much) higher than desirable and/or allowed. Even adjacent rooms can be influenced in a negative way because of this noise. For machines and other industrial equipment, the application of vibration silencers proves to be a highly effective technique to prevent these problems or solve them.
Another reason to consider vibration isolator products is the decrease of wear and tear and the maintenance costs as an inevitable consequence. A good example is the application of vibration isolators in fans. In case of different atmospheric conditions and/or counter pressure, the fan thrust will vary, as a result of which the rotating part will deform.
Free-standing Spring IsolatorsFree-standing, unhoused, large diameter laterally stable steel springs contained in an upper load plate/levelling assembly and lower load plate/noise pad assembly, for control of high-frequency vibration. Can be delivered in an all-welded unit for bolt-down applications as well. The isolators are designed for spring deflection ranges from 18 up to 100 mm with load capacity up to 5,900 kg.
Recommended applications:
- Isolation of floor-mounted refrigeration compressors, pumps, packaged air handlers, air-conditioning equipment, centrifugal and axial fans and internal combustion engines. For equipment subject to weight change or high wind loads, we recommend the use of Restrained Spring Isolators.
Restrained Spring IsolatorsLarge diameter, laterally stable steel springs assembled into a welded steel housing designed to limit vertical movement of the isolated equipment if equipment weights are reduced or if the equipment is subjected to large external forces. The spring elements are complete with high frequency vibration control noise pads and an adjustable top load plate with leveling bolts. Can be delivered with spring deflection ranges from 18 up to 100 mm with load capacity up to 5,300 kg.
Recommended applications:
- Isolators and restraint of large fluid-carrying equipment such as boilers, chillers and cooling towers, or for equipment subjected to high wind loads.
SL & SM Spring IsolatorsHigh deflection stable springs assembled into telescoping aluminium or cast iron housings, complete with ¼" noise pads bonded to the lower load surface. Adjusting and leveling bolts are part of the top housings. Model SM Spring Isolators are designed with an adjustable snubbing feature to reduce movement during start-up and shutdown. Model SM Spring Isolators can be delivered with a deflection up to 467 mm in capacities ranging from 110 up to 2,700 kg. Model SL Spring Isolators can be delivered with a capacity ranging from 15 up to 1,500 kg.
Recommended applications:
- Isolation of mechanical equipment subject to frequent start-up and shutdown such as compressors and engine generators.
FRS Spring IsolatorsLight capacity, vertically restrained isolators with deflection ranges from 18 up to 50 mm and a capacity up to 1,300 kg.
Recommended applications:
- Isolation and restraint of lightweight mechanical equipment subject to high wind loads or equipment subject to weight change.
FH, RH, SH, SRH and SFH Isolation HangersIsolation Hangers are a family of products designed to reduce the transmission of vibration and noise from suspended equipment and systems. FH and RH hangers incorporate fibreglass or elastomer inserts only. SH hangers incorporate a spring insert only.
Model SFH and SRH hangers are combination hangers, containing a fibreglass or elastomer pad insert in series with a spring. Hanger inserts are designed for up to 50% overload capacity and for rod misalignment over 30. Brackets will carry 500% overload without failure. Hangers can be delivered in capacities up to 1,300 kg and a deflection of up to100 mm. Hangers feature a patented No-Short spring cap which contains indexed steps to correspond to standard washer diameters for the appropriate rod diameter. The rod and washer stay centred in the No-Short cap.
Kinflex Connectors prevent stresses due to expansion and contraction, isolate against the transfer of noise and vibration and compensate for misalignment. Kinflex Connectors absorb movement created in piping systems by ambient temperatures, differences in temperature of materials handled and differences in composition.
Recommended applications:
- disengagement of sound radiating mains and pipes
- compensation of tolerances in the alignment in case of critical pipes.
Model HSR is mainly applied in fans. In most cases, they are installed in pairs at the fan discharge to reduce movement associated with fan thrust. This model uses 2.5 cm springs with capacities between 15 and 1,000 kg.
Model RD and RQ Isolation Mounts are one-piece moulded neoprene, colour coded for identification and have non-skid ribs on the bottom load surfaces. Each isolator incorporates two bolt-down holes on the bottom load surface and a tapped steel top load plate for attachment to the supported equipment.
Model RQ Isolators are designed for a static deflection up to 4 mm. Model RD can be delivered in 4 different sizes and 11 different capacities, ranging from 25 kg up to 1,800 kg. Model RQ can be delivered in 2 sizes and 4 capacities, varying from 225 up to 600 kg.
Recommended application:
- reducing the transmission of vibration from small pumps, vent sets, low pressure packaged air-handling units, etc.
Model NP and NG Isolation Pads are single-ribbed or double-ribbed high quality elastomer, used singularly or in multiple layers, separated with steel shims. The pads can be delivered in different sizes and may be easily cut or drilled to meet field conditions. Model NP and NG pads can be used to isolate noise, shock and high frequency vibration generated by mechanical, industrial or process equipment located in non-critical areas.
The AC Fibreglass Isolators, complete with load plate and mounting brackets are designed for bolt-down applications such as vent fans, vane axial fans, high-speed motors and similar equipment. Different sizes can be delivered in capacities ranging from 20 up to 400 kg with a deflection between approx. 4.5 and 17,5 mm.
Model KIP Vibration and Noise Isolation Pads are pre-compressed, inorganic, inert fibreglass individually coated with a flexible elastomeric moisture barrier. KIP fibreglass pads offer a constant natural frequency over a wide load range in capacities between 9 kg and 7,250 kg per pad. We can deliver different thicknesses, namely 2½, 5, 7½ and 10 cm with a deflection ranging from 4.5 up to 27.5 mm. The KIP pads are recommended for use in the reduction of vibration produced by:
- pumps, chillers, cooling towers, etc.
- effective in reducing shock transmission from punch presses and other impact-producing machinery.
Buildings and architectural constructions
Noise and vibrations are major sources of irritation in modern buildings. Floors, walls and ceilings reduce sound according the Mass Law, which states that doubling of building weight will reduce the transmission of sound by up to 6 dB. Example: a 4(10 cm) concrete floor has a sound transmission loss (TL) of 42 dB at 250 Hz. Making the floor twice as thick will result into a TL of 48 dB. Doubling of the floor to 8(20 cm) only increases the TL to 48 dB. A 6 dB reduction is experienced as about 25% quieter. With the application of special constructional systems, a substantially higher sound transmission loss can be achieved. Specially designed floating floors, isolated ceilings, isolated partitions and composite barrier materials all far exceed the Law of Mass capability and provide greater airborne and structureborne noise control.
These products can be applied for several purposes:
- Air sound isolation
- Contact sound isolation
- Ceiling isolation
- Building isolation
- Sound isolating floor
IsoMax® Resilient Sound Isolation Wall and Ceiling Clip
For simple, rapid and inexpensive mounting of sound-isolating secondary walls and ceilings, Alara-Lukagro can deliver the so-called Kinetics® IsoMax Clips. Similar to the regular mounting of plasterboard, use is made of metal profiles, on which the plasterboard is attached with screws. With the IsoMax Clips, you can provide an optimal isolation of sound and vibrations with a simple attachment of two screws which are mounted onto the existing wall. Possible unevenness in the wall construction is compensated, as a result of which no special measures have to be taken to finish off the existing wall.
For a rapid and simple mounting, first of all, the clips are attached to the supporting wall with one screw. Subsequently, the profiles can be placed by tilting them in, during which the clip can be bent open without problems due to the flexible material.
Finally, the clips are attached with a second screw to achieve a stable and solid construction. Naturally, it is also possible to attach the clips onto the profiles first and then attach the rest as a whole. During mounting in positions that are difficult to reach and/or mounting on ceilings, the IsoMax Clips are very user-friendly and make this way of mounting much easier.
Figure 1: Simple mounting of IsoMax® isolating secondary wall systems
In addition to the detailed product information, several working drawings, technical details and mounting regulations are available. More information can be found on our contact page.
Figure 2: Application of Kinetics® IsoMax clips for isolating walls and ceilings.
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