When the Sikorsky S-76D helicopter achieved its first flight last month, one of its main features was a dual speed rotor with active vibration control. More than “three years of design, development and testing [went into this] first prototype aircraft,” so the achievement is a notable one.

The helicopter, however is just the latest in a long line of technology to take advantage of custom-molded and rubber-to-metal bonded parts for noise and vibration control. Such parts are also extensively used in the installation of machines, plastic processing machines and metal cutting machines. Power presses, CNC machines, pharmaceutical machines, diesel engines and textile machinery make use of custom-molded and rubber-to-metal bonded parts for noise and vibration control as well. Railways, aeronautics, telecommunications, nautical and energy are just some of the many industries that have embraced the technology.

So how exactly is the vibration control achieved? The rubber Vibro-Insulators that bring about vibration control come in a variety of styles and sizes. As a result, they can handle most vibration isolation problems—even the toughest ones found in bumpy helicopter rides. By offering a wide variety of vibration control mount styles, producers of custom-molded rubber and rubber-to-metal bonded parts can tackle even the most difficult of noise and vibration control dilemmas. Most of these mounts are designed to be used in either the compression or shear direction.

Produced with either natural rubber or neoprene elastomers, depending on the application, the Vibro-Insulator line of noise and vibration control products are suitable for a wide range of industrial uses. The choice between the fabrications is dependent on two variables: 1) operating temperature and 2) exposure/non-exposure to oil. More specifically,

• Natural Rubber has a maximum operating temperature of 150°F and is good for most industrial applications. It is also affected by immmersion in oil.

• Neoprene has a maxiumum operating temperature of 180°F and is resistant to oil.

Selecting the proper Vibro-Insulator® for a specific application, entails a complicated formula, but leading manufacturers of custom-molded rubber and rubber-to-metal bonded parts for noise and vibration control will help you to select the proper Vibro-Insulator® based on the information that you provide. Having the following information ready for them will speed up the selection process:

1. The maximum load that must be supported.

2. The number of mounts supporting the load.

3. The frequency of the disturbing vibration. (Note: If there is more than one frequency involved, the lowest frequency is the determining one.)

4. Any restrictions on the size or style of the mount based on space limitations or assembly considerations.

If the Sikorsky helicopter line can can control its vibration with the proper custom-molded rubber and rubber-to-metal bonded parts, imagine what the technology can do for your noise and vibration contol dilemmas. And the Vibro-Insulator line represents just a few of the hundreds of different SPC-certified custom rubber parts that are produced for companies throughout the United States. The manufacturer's modern production plant is staffed by personnel with many years of experience to offer you the most in compression, transfer and injection molding services.