Vibration Isolation Enclosures: A Simple Guide
As manufacturing floors get busier and more equipment gets packed into the same space, vibration from one machine can increasingly affect the machines around it.
This is not a new problem per se, but it is one that a lot of manufacturers don’t think about until it starts costing them directly.
In this article, we’ll cover why vibration can become an issue in manufacturing environments, which machines are most sensitive to it, and how machine enclosures can help.
Why Are Vibrations a Problem During Manufacturing?
When it comes to manufacturing, vibration is sort of an invisible problem because it’s easy to forget about, given that you can’t always see or feel it.
But the truth is that it’s everywhere, and it can come from many different places, including forklifts, nearby machinery, and even just people walking around.
What most don’t realize at first is that they can affect certain sensitive equipment.
Granted, for most machines, this isn’t a real worry. But if you have anything that requires precision, then vibration can really hurt your operations.
You might not even realize it is a problem until you start getting inconsistent results and can’t figure out why.
What Types of Machines Are Most Sensitive to Vibrations?
As we’ve hinted at already, some machines are far more sensitive to vibration than others. Here are a few commonly used in manufacturing that tend to need the most protection.
CMMs (Coordinate Measuring Machines). CMMs are probably the most vibration-sensitive equipment in any manufacturing facility. They measure parts down to microns, and even small vibrations from a forklift passing nearby can affect readings. Most CMM manufacturers publish vibration specifications that the environment needs to meet for the machine to work right.
EDMs (Electrical Discharge Machines). Further, there are EDMs, which rely on extremely precise electrical discharges to cut material. Vibration during that process can shift the workpiece and lead to dimensional errors.
Precision CNC Machines. For run-of-the-mill CNC work, vibration usually isn’t an issue. But for tight tolerance jobs, external vibration can cause surface finish problems or push dimensions out of spec.
Laser Systems. Laser cutting and engraving equipment can also be sensitive to vibration, as even slight movement can affect beam alignment and cut quality.
Metrology and Lab Equipment. Any measurement or inspection equipment that deals with very fine tolerances can be affected by vibration as well. This includes optical measurement systems, balances, and other lab instruments.
How Machine Enclosures Help With Vibration
Of course, a machine enclosure can’t get rid of the sources of vibration, but if you build them the right way they can significantly reduce its impact on your operations.
Here are just a few ways:
- Insulated Wall Panels. The noise from nearby equipment can create airborne vibrations able to reach sensitive machinery. By creating enclosures with insulated wall panels, you can block a significant amount of that, as they act as barriers between your equipment and the rest of the floor. The choice of materials here is also important; heavier and denser panels will dampen more vibration than lighter ones.
- Sealed Construction. Gaps, joints, and openings can create space where both sound and vibrations can seep in. By creating tightly sealed enclosures, you can remove those entry points entirely, which in turn keeps conditions inside more stable.
- Floor Design. The floor of your enclosure can be designed to reduce vibration, whether through a thicker slab, an isolated floor section, or specific mounting considerations for the equipment.
- Double-Wall Construction. Two panels with an air gap between them can block significantly more vibration than a single wall, because the gap disrupts the path vibrations travel through.
The Bottom Line
Vibration may not be the most obvious problem on a manufacturing floor, but if you have any precision equipment, you’ll need to make sure it’s not causing any problems. If it is, then the right enclosure, built with the right materials, can go a long way toward keeping it under control.
At MachineEnclosure.com, we build enclosures for vibration-sensitive applications, including CMM rooms, EDM enclosures, and more. Reach out today and get a quote.
