Rubber Mounts: Controlling Vibration in Rotating Equipment
Selecting a mount by equipment weight, load type and environment.
How vibration travels
Every rotating machine — motor, fan, pump or compressor — transmits an oscillating force into its base. A rubber mount interrupts that path and stops vibration and noise reaching the structure.
Selecting by load
Each mount has a rated load. Divide the machine's weight by the number of support points to get the load per mount; the mount must work within its rated range. Under-loaded it does nothing; over-loaded it crushes.
Common types
Flat sandwich mounts for light and medium machines, conical mounts for heavier loads and shock, and rubber bushes for linkages and joints. Diesel engines and compressors usually take conical mounts.
The right compound for the environment
Natural rubber gives the best damping but is weak against oil and ozone; choose NBR in oily environments and EPDM outdoors.