Anti Vibration Mounts

Anti-vibration mounts, commonly known as AV mounts, act as vibration dampeners, noise reducers, and shock absorbers across a wide range of machine applications. Constructed from elastomeric materials such as natural or synthetic rubber bonded to metal components (e.g. steel or stainless steel), anti-vibration rubber mounts isolate mechanical vibration to protect equipment, reduce noise, and extend service life.

Whether you need rubber shock absorber vibration isolator mounts for industrial machinery or anti-vibration engine mounts for diesel-powered equipment, the right mount protects both the machine and its surrounding structure.

How Anti-Vibration Mounts Work

• Anti-vibration mounts operate by introducing an elastic interface between the machine and its supporting structure, reducing the transmission of vibratory energy through damping and isolation.
• The elastomer deforms under load, converting kinetic energy into low-level heat through internal damping. This has the effect of reducing amplitude and preventing resonance amplification.
• Effective isolation depends on achieving a favourable ratio between the excitation frequency and the mount’s natural frequency, typically necessitating operations above the system’s resonance point.

Types of Anti-Vibration Mounts

Cylindrical Mounts

Also known as bobbins, these are used in compression or shear applications. Waisted bobbins offer low shear stiffness, while hexagon bobbins allow spanner installation to prevent rubber twist. Common applications include diesel engines, generator sets, control panels, and industrial machinery.

Buffers and Rubber Bumpers

Flat buffers operate in compression. Conical buffers provide progressive stiffness under impact, absorbing energy to protect equipment. Typical applications include agriculture, suspension systems, and general industrial machinery.

Failsafe Anti-Vibration Mounts

Bell mounts include an integral overload stop for transit control. Cab and cone mounts offer high horizontal stiffness and effective vibration isolation, with optional bump and rebound washers for failsafe installation. These heavy-duty anti-vibration mounts are commonly used in engines and construction equipment.

Rectangular Anti-Vibration Mounts

Designed for marine propulsion engines and capable of accommodating thrust loads. Applications include generating sets, diesel engines, vehicles, pumps, and compressors.

Standard Rubber Anti-Vibration Mounts

Low-cost options including turret, flanged circular, and sandwich types. The turret design is commonly used for static HVAC applications, with bonded rubber encapsulating metal parts to reduce corrosion risk.

Anti-Vibration Levelling Mounts

Anti-vibration levelling mounts allow machinery to be precisely levelled while simultaneously reducing vibration and noise. Applications include machine tools, lathes, presses, conveyors, and food processing and pharmaceutical equipment.

How to Select Anti-Vibration Mounts

Selecting the correct mount requires evaluating several interdependent factors:

• Equipment Weight and Load per Mount: Calculate the total equipment weight and divide it across all mounting points. Where weight distribution is uneven, each point must be assessed individually to avoid overloading or underutilising any mount.
• Number of Mounts Required: Mount quantity directly affects load distribution and system dynamics. Too little mounts increase stress, while too many may reduce effective vibration isolation.
• Load Rating: Each mount is designed to operate within a defined load range. Selecting one outside its rated capacity can lead to excessive compression or insufficient deflection, both of which reduce isolation performance and shorten service life.
• Machine Operating Speed (Forcing Frequency): Compare the excitation frequency of the machine with the mount’s natural frequency. For effective isolation and to avoid resonance, the natural frequency should be significantly lower than the operating frequency.
• Static Deflection and Isolation Target: Static deflection indicates how much the mount compresses under load and is directly related to isolation capability. While greater deflection improves vibration isolation, this should remain within safe design limits.
• Rubber Hardness and Material: Anti-vibration rubber hardness, measured in Shore A, affects stiffness and load capacity. Softer grades suit lighter loads, while harder compounds are suited to heavy-duty anti-vibration rubber mounts under high static loads.
• Environmental Conditions: Assess exposure to oils, chemicals, UV, ozone, and temperature extremes. Natural rubber suits general-purpose use, while materials such as neoprene, EPDM, or nitrile provide better resistance in harsh conditions.
• Shock Versus Constant Vibration: Impact-heavy applications require vibration isolator mounts with progressive stiffness to absorb shock energy. Constant-speed machinery typically requires mounts optimised for steady-state vibration isolation.
• Mounting Type: Choose between studs, threaded inserts, or base plate configurations based on equipment structure and installation requirements. Proper mounting ensures load stability and ease of installation.

Industrial Applications of Anti-Vibration Mounts

Anti-vibration mounts are used wherever vibration, shock, or noise poses a risk to equipment performance or operator safety.

• Aerospace: Heavy-duty anti-vibration mounts protect sensitive avionics and structural assemblies from mechanical disturbance.
• Rail: Rubber vibration isolators in bogies and engine bays reduce noise and improve passenger comfort.
• Construction: Heavy plants and generators depend on failsafe and heavy-duty anti-vibration rubber mounts for continuous high-load operation.
• Marine: Rectangular and cylindrical mounts isolate propulsion engines and reduce hull-borne noise.
• Energy: Equipment such as generator sets relies on anti-vibration engine mounts to protect components and limit structural vibration.
• Electronics: Precision rubber vibration isolators guard sensitive assemblies against vibration-induced failure.
• Industrial Machinery: Common in pumps, compressors, lathes, and presses to maintain operational stability.
• Automotive: Anti-vibration engine mounts reduce powertrain vibration while improving durability and ride comfort.
• HVAC and Building Systems: Turret and anti-vibration levelling mounts are widely used under fans, chillers, and air handling units to limit vibration transmission into building structures.

Trusted Anti-Vibration Mount Suppliers in Malaysia

RS is a trusted supplier and distributor of anti-vibration mounts in Malaysia, stocking products from leading brands including Paulstra Hutchinson, FIBET, and SKF. From standard anti-vibration rubber mounts to heavy-duty mounts for demanding industrial environments, our range covers the full spectrum of load, frequency, and environmental requirements. We also stock anti-vibration pads and anti-slip pads for all your industrial needs.

RS makes ordering anti-vibration mounts in Malaysia straightforward. All stocked items are available for next-day delivery when orders are placed before the daily cut-off. For more information on our shipping options and timelines, please visit our delivery page.