3.

Give one simple example on the selection of an isolator for a particular

applications.

Air Spring Systems for Industrial Application

Vibration Isolation Selection Factors

The basic points when selecting an isolator are:

load or total weight and number of mounting points

recommended operating height
degree of isolation
operating pressure

The following descriptions and explanations are based upon a simplified spring-mass system and the
following basic assumptions:

The isolators are free of damping.

The mass of the machine is small in comparison with that of the floor.
The machine is a compact rigid body.
The exciting force behaves harmonically.

Load capability
When selecting the isolator, there should be sufficient load-bearing capability to compensate asymmetric
load distribution or excess weight. Air isolators have been designed to absorb dynamic increases in load
from operating vibrations.
Recommended operating height
Air isolators generate their load capability by means of variable internal pressure. Consequently, static
compression comparable to that of steel or elastomer springs is not associated with air isolators. There is
no direct relationship between the load exerted and the height of the air isolator. Changes in the
compression caused by varying loads can be compensated by adjusting the operating pressure. To
ensure optimum isolation and lateral stiffness, isolators should be used at the recommended operating
height.

Degree of isolation
The degree of isolation is a measure of the isolation of vibration excitation. Vibration isolation exists only if
the exciting frequency is at least 1.4 times greater than the respective natural frequency.
fe >2 fo
The degree of isolation can be read from the below figure with the parameters natural frequency and
exciting frequency. For example, a degree of isolation of 98% means that only 2% of the exciting force is
transmitted by the air isolators; 98% of the excitations are isolated.

Operating pressure
The required operating pressure in relation to the load and operating height is specified
on the datasheet. As a rule, the size of the air isolator is correct if the operating
pressure is between 4 and 6 bar. Check that the compressed air pressure available on
site is sufficient, taking into account fluctuations in pressure and pressure loss in fittings.
If not otherwise specified, all pressure values given are positive.