DIY vibration isolators for tactile rig

[stigs2cousin]

Hello Guys,

after a lot of research I have not found what im looking for locally without the hassle of importing from outside the EU.

The idea was to put some sandwich isolators under the feet of my rig to "pacify the neighbour" who feels my driving when lying on her couch.


What "looked best" was said sandwich pads made from different types of rubber or with a cork layer.
The best offer I could find was on Amazon US and had the Import problem.

So second best solution would be to DIY with layers of rubber and cork which can be had in the local home improvement store.

What I can´t find if the size of the pad influences the damping/isolation, the ready made pads are around 10cm/4inches square. Are there advantages to getting bigger or smaller?
Since both my rig and I are "substantial" one foot would have to carry around 80kg´s or roughly 180 pounds.

Would 10mm cork and 2x 10mm rubber ( from washing mashine isolation mat) glued together mean an improvement over the 18mm rubber ( same material) I have now?

Would it be advantagious to add more layers or cap the pad with a wooden or steel plate?

Is there a (userfriendly) source where I could read up on the basics and determine this answers myself?

thanks in advance,


Carsten

 

[blekenbleu]

size of the pad

This very much depends on the specific materials.

wooden or steel plate

Spreading load over more area engages more of the material,
effectively increasing both damping and spring rate.
Higher spring rates increase resonant frequencies.

On the other hand, also depending on materials,
concentrating forces over smaller areas provokes more plastic deformation,
so that it may behave more like rigid material.
and less like damped spring.

more layers

In general, more layers reduces energy transfer.

FWIW, when implementing vibration isolation, I employ instrumentation
and may iterate thru a dozen or so configurations.

 

[stigs2cousin]

Thanks for the general advice on usage of materials, the part about " do your own experimentation" is of course justified.
I´d have liked to cut that part short of course, but my feeling and your answer suggest there is not shortcut, no " one solution fits all usecases"

MFG Carsten

 

[Mr Latte]

Effective cheap solution
4" industrial castor. This greatly reduces the contact your rig has with the floor and offers some isolation with the larger rubber wheels.
Here

Combine it with additional materials that are developed for antivibration and sound-deadening. You will find that softer foams may work better with higher frequencies/harmonics but firmer rubber substances will help with the lower bass frequencies.

Car Audio has specialist products that are available in this sector...

Dynamatt / Fatmat are examples you can easily find. Neoprene rubber is also available. DiversiTech pads are some of the best, search for these but be careful as some pads are not that great and too soft.

Here is an example of an $80 isolator with an additional Diverstech pad, with a firm neoprene isolator. Combining multiple materials/solutions. Its not hard to start spending quite a bit of money on this.


Its also possible to use 2x tablets/phones with one on the rig and one on the floor to take readings and compare. Various apps are available.



I used these specialist materials on the plates my castors would be bolted to. Triple layers of different materials for various frequencies/sound deadening


Stp products are reportedly used by luxury car manufacturers but similar products exist.


Yeah these wheels look friggin cool too, dont they!


8mm alu plates my castors were to bolt onto that then bolts to my rigs frame. Triple layers were applied to the top and underside of the alu.


Now compressed


Additional easimatt interlocking floor pads. I have another sound deadening floor matt underneath these which is then on my wooden floor. Note my rig is VERY heavy but these industrial casters handle much more weight. I also like how I can lock them down or move the rig when necessary.

 

[stigs2cousin]

Thanks very much @Mr Latte

that will help me a lot.
Especially the idea with the phone apps will help with the experimentation.
(That will stop the moment the neighbour is satisfied )

MFG Carsten

 

[Atak_Kat]

Try 4 Yoga Blocks made from EVA foam. One under each corner of the rig.
I use them on my P1X with castors, and they are just high enough to lift the wheels barely off the floor.
For me, they do a very good job of isolating the vibrations to the floor, and are usually found very inexpensive. Worth a try.

 

[stigs2cousin]

Thanks, I´ll have a look.

MFG Carsten

 

[chris82009]

Something like this maybe, even though I am sure you have found a solution by now, other users could check this out. Its basically what mr.latte had already shared https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YYZ3MZM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[bboytrez]

Try 4 Yoga Blocks made from EVA foam. One under each corner of the rig.
I use them on my P1X with castors, and they are just high enough to lift the wheels barely off the floor.
For me, they do a very good job of isolating the vibrations to the floor, and are usually found very inexpensive. Worth a try.

i followed your idea and bought the foam. hope my neighbours will be happy with the absorbent.

 

[Leynad777]

Try 4 Yoga Blocks made from EVA foam. One under each corner of the rig.
I use them on my P1X with castors, and they are just high enough to lift the wheels barely off the floor.
For me, they do a very good job of isolating the vibrations to the floor, and are usually found very inexpensive. Worth a try.

I've tried a lot and agree. Foam or a passive spring suspension is the best way to isolate vibrations and the typical washing machine mats and rubber feet are almost useless. Foam works, but a suspension feels better. For my former foam solution I put a wooden plate and the rig on it so the weight was better distributed, but needed more foam under the seat. More or less layers of gymnastic mats seems a good option. They have already the proper size for rigs and the right stiffness. A cheap plywood plate on top and optionally with some paint it looks decent.