Products
Category
Applications
Industrial Machinery
Designing foundations supporting machine tools requires sound engineering procedures for a reliable result. An incorrectly designed foundation is extremely difficult to correct once installed. Consequently, many engineers use Fabreeka isolation materials and machine mounts, knowing that they provide vibration isolation and leveling for proper machine tool installation.
Fabreeka also provides solutions for applications when it is not desirable or feasible to mount a machine directly on vibration isolators. For example, installing vibration isolators on a machine whose frame or bed requires a stiff connection can cause bending, relative displacement or sagging and other problems, even when the floor is sufficiently rigid. For cases like this, Fabreeka recommends that the frame or bed is attached to a properly designed concrete foundation, which is then supported on appropriate isolators for the application.
In many cases, manufacturing and quality control must co-exist in work-cells or in close proximity to one another. For certain machine tools, the permissible amplitudes of foundation vibrations in a manufacturing environment are very low. It often is very difficult to decrease or isolate vibration amplitudes by simply pouring a new foundation on soil. It also may not be possible to increase the stiffness or rigidity of the machine support structure, often floors, itself to avoid resonance or amplification of vibration. In these cases, unacceptable vibration amplitudes can be significantly reduced by using vibration isolators provided by Fabreeka.
Certain types of machine tools are not inherently rigid and therefore need a rigid support to maintain their prescribed accuracy. In other types of machinery, such as printing presses, consisting of articulated components, a rigid support may be needed to maintain the proper alignment of working parts. Fabreeka is a trusted partner and supplier in those cases as well.
Engineering disciplines involved in the proper design procedures for isolated support foundations include theory of vibrations, geotechnical engineering or studying soil characteristics plus structural design and analysis.
Rotating Equipment
Fabreeka isolation products provide vibration control on a wide variety of rotating and reciprocating machinery and equipment that produce vibration during operation. Our engineers work closely with OEMs as well as end users to obtain the operating frequencies, dynamic or unbalanced loads, critical alignments and isolation mount specifications for a complete isolation solution.
In line with this, fans, blowers, motors, reciprocating and screw type pumps as well as compressors, engine-generator sets, gear boxes and generators are all applications where Fabreeka or Fabcel isolation pads, washers and bushings can be used. They are also the right choice to prevent roof top HVAC vibration.
Depending on the rotational speed of the equipment and its weight support area, other Fabreeka products, namely Fabcel pad or machine support foundation isolation products such as FAB-EPM, FAB-EFP and Fabsorb are qualified.
Turnkey solutions are also available at Fabreeka, including demolition, foundation design and concrete construction if a foundation is needed for rotating and other equipment.
Other Equipment
Fabreeka Crane Rail pad material is used to reduce vibration, stresses and mechanical wear and tear associated with bridge, gantry and ore crane operation, thereby reducing maintenance costs. Fabreeka Crane Rail pads are designed to relieve girder stress, improve load distribution, eliminate mechanical wear of flange or cover plates, dampen vibration and reduce noise.
The laminated thermoset plastic (LTP) surface of the crane rail pad improves wear resistance, restricts lateral movement and provides a low coefficient of friction support for the rail. Tests performed by independent sources have shown up to 40% reduction in runway beam web stress and noise levels reduced substantially when using this Fabreeka product.
Automation equipment such as assembly and packaging equipment can cause vibration affecting other equipment or may be sensitive to vibration coming from the manufacturing floor. Vibration isolation products such as Fabreeka or Fabcel pad plus isolation washers and Fabreeka bushings can be used to reduce the vibration to more acceptable levels, as is also the case with milling machines, CNC and other machine tools that may also be sensitive to factory floor vibration, influencing their accuracy.
Last, not least, injection molding machines can cause disturbing vibration to other machines when molds are opening and closing. Depending on the size, pad products supplied by Fabreeka can be placed directly under the machine or support the machine and a foundation to add rigidity.
Designing foundations supporting machine tools requires sound engineering procedures for a reliable result. An incorrectly designed foundation is extremely difficult to correct once installed. Consequently, many engineers use Fabreeka isolation materials and machine mounts, knowing that they provide vibration isolation and leveling for proper machine tool installation.
Fabreeka also provides solutions for applications when it is not desirable or feasible to mount a machine directly on vibration isolators. For example, installing vibration isolators on a machine whose frame or bed requires a stiff connection can cause bending, relative displacement or sagging and other problems, even when the floor is sufficiently rigid. For cases like this, Fabreeka recommends that the frame or bed is attached to a properly designed concrete foundation, which is then supported on appropriate isolators for the application.
In many cases, manufacturing and quality control must co-exist in work-cells or in close proximity to one another. For certain machine tools, the permissible amplitudes of foundation vibrations in a manufacturing environment are very low. It often is very difficult to decrease or isolate vibration amplitudes by simply pouring a new foundation on soil. It also may not be possible to increase the stiffness or rigidity of the machine support structure, often floors, itself to avoid resonance or amplification of vibration. In these cases, unacceptable vibration amplitudes can be significantly reduced by using vibration isolators provided by Fabreeka.
Certain types of machine tools are not inherently rigid and therefore need a rigid support to maintain their prescribed accuracy. In other types of machinery, such as printing presses, consisting of articulated components, a rigid support may be needed to maintain the proper alignment of working parts. Fabreeka is a trusted partner and supplier in those cases as well.
Engineering disciplines involved in the proper design procedures for isolated support foundations include theory of vibrations, geotechnical engineering or studying soil characteristics plus structural design and analysis.
Rotating Equipment
Fabreeka isolation products provide vibration control on a wide variety of rotating and reciprocating machinery and equipment that produce vibration during operation. Our engineers work closely with OEMs as well as end users to obtain the operating frequencies, dynamic or unbalanced loads, critical alignments and isolation mount specifications for a complete isolation solution.
In line with this, fans, blowers, motors, reciprocating and screw type pumps as well as compressors, engine-generator sets, gear boxes and generators are all applications where Fabreeka or Fabcel isolation pads, washers and bushings can be used. They are also the right choice to prevent roof top HVAC vibration.
Depending on the rotational speed of the equipment and its weight support area, other Fabreeka products, namely Fabcel pad or machine support foundation isolation products such as FAB-EPM, FAB-EFP and Fabsorb are qualified.
Turnkey solutions are also available at Fabreeka, including demolition, foundation design and concrete construction if a foundation is needed for rotating and other equipment.
Other Equipment
Fabreeka Crane Rail pad material is used to reduce vibration, stresses and mechanical wear and tear associated with bridge, gantry and ore crane operation, thereby reducing maintenance costs. Fabreeka Crane Rail pads are designed to relieve girder stress, improve load distribution, eliminate mechanical wear of flange or cover plates, dampen vibration and reduce noise.
The laminated thermoset plastic (LTP) surface of the crane rail pad improves wear resistance, restricts lateral movement and provides a low coefficient of friction support for the rail. Tests performed by independent sources have shown up to 40% reduction in runway beam web stress and noise levels reduced substantially when using this Fabreeka product.
Automation equipment such as assembly and packaging equipment can cause vibration affecting other equipment or may be sensitive to vibration coming from the manufacturing floor. Vibration isolation products such as Fabreeka or Fabcel pad plus isolation washers and Fabreeka bushings can be used to reduce the vibration to more acceptable levels, as is also the case with milling machines, CNC and other machine tools that may also be sensitive to factory floor vibration, influencing their accuracy.
Last, not least, injection molding machines can cause disturbing vibration to other machines when molds are opening and closing. Depending on the size, pad products supplied by Fabreeka can be placed directly under the machine or support the machine and a foundation to add rigidity.
Testing
Fabreeka has a leading role in providing vibration isolation systems and design techniques to meet the increasing demands of automotive, aircraft and aerospace testing in simulated environments. The company has been providing vibration isolation and shock control products for the past decade, utilizing combined expertise for customized projects and turnkey solutions.
In doing so, the solutions for auto testing include the design of test equipment support foundations and their reaction masses together with structural and dynamic analysis. Applications range from dynamometers, rolling road isolation, road simulators, multi-axis shaker tables to many kinds of other test equipment.
To support engineers in aircraft testing, Fabreeka has designed a number of soft support systems using standard and custom pneumatic isolators for ground vibration testing, while the company provides low frequency vibration isolation systems for critical testing applications in the aerospace and defense industry, which require ultra-low frequency isolation and vacuum chamber isolation.
Additionally, Fabreeka provides solutions for foundation isolation as well as for material testing machines including tensile, compression and fatigue testing equipment that can create vibration and shock.
Aerospace Testing
When performing testing of large spacecraft or hardware that will be launched into orbit, it is necessary to conduct testing in a space-simulated environment. To achieve this, a vacuum chamber or thermal vacuum chamber is used which creates an environment to simulate the pressure and thermal effects of launch or space travel in orbit.
It is necessary to decouple the spacecraft or payload from the chamber using Fabreeka vibration isolators to attenuate environmental vibration from the testing. In some cases, where feasible, the entire chamber with payload is decoupled from the test facility. In cases where the size of the vacuum chamber, or the existing chamber, does not allow for external isolators the test payload must be isolated inside the chamber. To achieve this, a vacuum compatible isolation system is used. When isolators are used inside a vacuum chamber, they must meet strict material specifications to limit out-gassing and be constructed to fulfill particulate and molecular cleanliness requirements as well. Additionally, in thermo-vacuum applications, the isolators may be required to function in temperature extremes where heater blankets are necessary to keep them at an operable temperature.
Applications often include nano-type measurements and can have error budgets within microns or tenths of arc seconds. In this sensitive field, experts cooperate with Fabreeka and use customized stainless steel PAL isolators for vacuum chamber isolation with a special design to keep air permeation to a minimum so the vacuum chamber can achieve deep vacuum levels. The assembly can be done in a clean-room environment, and isolator components can be baked out to minimize out-gassing.
Aircraft Testing
Fabreeka has designed a number of soft support systems (SSS) using standard and custom pneumatic isolators for ground vibration testing (GVT) of aircraft. To obtain accurate results during GVT, the modal testing of the aircraft requires simulation of a “free-free” condition. To achieve this condition, Fabreeka works with the structural and dynamics testing groups of aircraft manufacturers to design the required SSS for the GVT.
The pneumatic isolators support and decouple the aircraft from the ground when the aircraft is undergoing GVT and modal or flutter analysis. The role of the system is especially important in identifying structural resonances and validating flutter models. The SSS can include a mechanical jacking system to lift the aircraft off of its landing gear. Fabreeka’s custom isolator designs can achieve a natural frequency as low as 0.5 Hz.
Professionals are well aware that they save time during testing by using a Fabreeka custom system since traditional methods such as bungee cords are very time consuming due to the bungees being changed out for every load condition.
Auto Testing
Fabreeka is also a leader in providing vibration isolation systems and design techniques to meet the growing demands of vehicle testing in simulated environments where dynamometers, engine test rigs, road simulators and multi-axis shaker tables are in use. Here, Fabreeka’s technical expertise includes the structural design of support structures and reaction masses; static and dynamic analysis and acceptance testing.
In many cases when the forces are not extreme and the frame or base of the machine is rigid, Fabreeka's PAL or RLA pneumatic isolators are directly placed under the equipment, namely dynamometers or vibration tables. RLA isolators offer a larger piston stroke to handle larger dynamic loads typically seen in vibration testing applications such as shakers and 4-post-shakers without compromising the natural frequency of the system.
PAL or RLA pneumatic isolators are also the right choice for supporting a concrete foundation with the test equipment. Over decades, Fabreeka has gained the expertise to develop all types of vibration isolation projects for automotive testing and can provide a turnkey solution including foundation design, demolition, construction work, bedplate, installation and acceptance testing.
Countless successful projects with car and truck manufacturers are also proof of Fabreeka's know-how from concept to the final production model in rolling road isolation.
Fabreeka has a leading role in providing vibration isolation systems and design techniques to meet the increasing demands of automotive, aircraft and aerospace testing in simulated environments. The company has been providing vibration isolation and shock control products for the past decade, utilizing combined expertise for customized projects and turnkey solutions.
In doing so, the solutions for auto testing include the design of test equipment support foundations and their reaction masses together with structural and dynamic analysis. Applications range from dynamometers, rolling road isolation, road simulators, multi-axis shaker tables to many kinds of other test equipment.
To support engineers in aircraft testing, Fabreeka has designed a number of soft support systems using standard and custom pneumatic isolators for ground vibration testing, while the company provides low frequency vibration isolation systems for critical testing applications in the aerospace and defense industry, which require ultra-low frequency isolation and vacuum chamber isolation.
Additionally, Fabreeka provides solutions for foundation isolation as well as for material testing machines including tensile, compression and fatigue testing equipment that can create vibration and shock.
Aerospace Testing
When performing testing of large spacecraft or hardware that will be launched into orbit, it is necessary to conduct testing in a space-simulated environment. To achieve this, a vacuum chamber or thermal vacuum chamber is used which creates an environment to simulate the pressure and thermal effects of launch or space travel in orbit.
It is necessary to decouple the spacecraft or payload from the chamber using Fabreeka vibration isolators to attenuate environmental vibration from the testing. In some cases, where feasible, the entire chamber with payload is decoupled from the test facility. In cases where the size of the vacuum chamber, or the existing chamber, does not allow for external isolators the test payload must be isolated inside the chamber. To achieve this, a vacuum compatible isolation system is used. When isolators are used inside a vacuum chamber, they must meet strict material specifications to limit out-gassing and be constructed to fulfill particulate and molecular cleanliness requirements as well. Additionally, in thermo-vacuum applications, the isolators may be required to function in temperature extremes where heater blankets are necessary to keep them at an operable temperature.
Applications often include nano-type measurements and can have error budgets within microns or tenths of arc seconds. In this sensitive field, experts cooperate with Fabreeka and use customized stainless steel PAL isolators for vacuum chamber isolation with a special design to keep air permeation to a minimum so the vacuum chamber can achieve deep vacuum levels. The assembly can be done in a clean-room environment, and isolator components can be baked out to minimize out-gassing.
Aircraft Testing
Fabreeka has designed a number of soft support systems (SSS) using standard and custom pneumatic isolators for ground vibration testing (GVT) of aircraft. To obtain accurate results during GVT, the modal testing of the aircraft requires simulation of a “free-free” condition. To achieve this condition, Fabreeka works with the structural and dynamics testing groups of aircraft manufacturers to design the required SSS for the GVT.
The pneumatic isolators support and decouple the aircraft from the ground when the aircraft is undergoing GVT and modal or flutter analysis. The role of the system is especially important in identifying structural resonances and validating flutter models. The SSS can include a mechanical jacking system to lift the aircraft off of its landing gear. Fabreeka’s custom isolator designs can achieve a natural frequency as low as 0.5 Hz.
Professionals are well aware that they save time during testing by using a Fabreeka custom system since traditional methods such as bungee cords are very time consuming due to the bungees being changed out for every load condition.
Auto Testing
Fabreeka is also a leader in providing vibration isolation systems and design techniques to meet the growing demands of vehicle testing in simulated environments where dynamometers, engine test rigs, road simulators and multi-axis shaker tables are in use. Here, Fabreeka’s technical expertise includes the structural design of support structures and reaction masses; static and dynamic analysis and acceptance testing.
In many cases when the forces are not extreme and the frame or base of the machine is rigid, Fabreeka's PAL or RLA pneumatic isolators are directly placed under the equipment, namely dynamometers or vibration tables. RLA isolators offer a larger piston stroke to handle larger dynamic loads typically seen in vibration testing applications such as shakers and 4-post-shakers without compromising the natural frequency of the system.
PAL or RLA pneumatic isolators are also the right choice for supporting a concrete foundation with the test equipment. Over decades, Fabreeka has gained the expertise to develop all types of vibration isolation projects for automotive testing and can provide a turnkey solution including foundation design, demolition, construction work, bedplate, installation and acceptance testing.
Countless successful projects with car and truck manufacturers are also proof of Fabreeka's know-how from concept to the final production model in rolling road isolation.
KEY FEATURES/BENEFITS
- Infab isolators may be supplied as individual units (blocks) or as isolation panels to facilitate ease of installation.
- Infab isolation panels can be designed to have natural frequencies from 7.0 Hz to 10.0 Hz (6% damping) by custom designing the physical size and thickness of the isolators.
- Type 1T and 2T isolators support loads from 800 lbs (3,600 kg) to 2,500 lbs (1,125 kg) each and have natural frequencies of 6.0 Hz to 9.0 Hz, with damping in the range of 2% to 6%.
Technical Specifications
The InfabTM “T” series isolator’s unique design utilizes a steel coil spring inside oil/ozone resistant neoprene. The spring portion of the isolator provides a low natural frequency, while the elastomeric/neoprene portion provides damping.
The prefabricated InfabTM isolation panels are supplied to the job site marked per the supplied layout drawings, so that preparation on site is kept to a minimum. The panels with isolators attached are designed by Fabreeka® engineers who calculate the required support span distance between isolators based on the total supported load.
Fabreeka Infab vibration isolators are composed of a molded elastomer, which has been designed to offer low frequency isolation and high load capacity. Infab solutions are used under large concrete foundations supporting heavy machinery, buildings, measuring machines, roller mills and similar equipment.
Infab type “T” isolators are available in two types to suit a wide range of design options when considering the formwork required to provide proper support during the foundation construction process.
Infab isolation panels are placed on the pit floor in large sections for easy installation prior to the installation of rebar. No additional forming is required.
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Foundation Isolation Solutions for Equipment & Machines
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Isolating Unwanted Vibration
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FAQS
What sizes are Infab isolation panels supplied in?
Infab isolation panels are commonly supplied in 4′ x 8′ sheets, but can be custom sized as necessary.
What is the load range of Infab isolation panels?
The Infab isolation panels can be designed to support loads from 1 – 300 psi.
What sealant do you recommend to use in the air gap around the foundation?
Fabreeka recommends using Sika Type 2CSL or equivalent to seal around the top of the pit and inertia mass.
What materials are the Infab isolation panels made of?
Infab isolation panels are made from our Fabcel isolation pads 25, 50, 100, 200 or 300, which range in load capacity, and a marine grade plywood.
How are the “T” style Infab isolators installed?
The “T” style Infab isolator can be supplied as individual mounts or as isolator panels. Individual mounts are placed in an array predetermined by our Engineering department and marine grade plywood or steel plates are placed on top during installation. If panels are supplied, simply place the panels according to a supplied drawing with the mounts resting on the pit floor.
Is there anything special about the design of the pit and inertia mass (foundation) I should know about?
Besides the normal structural requirements considering static and dynamic loads and soil conditions, an isolated inertia mass must be designed with structural modes that are higher than the disturbing frequencies and the natural frequency of the isolators. The inertia mass will amplify the vibration, if the modes are near these frequencies (in resonance). The inertia mass must be dynamically stiff enough not to be in resonance with the isolator frequency and any disturbing frequencies. The pit must be designed based on a soil analysis to insure it is dynamically stiff enough to support the mass.
