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Anti-Vibration Mounts: Quick Selection Guide
Anti Vibration Mounts:
Selection, Load & Isolation Guide
Anti vibration mounts are designed to reduce transmitted vibration, noise and shock between machinery, equipment and supporting structures.
Our selection of Anti Vibration Products is manufactured from high-quality, RoHS-compliant materials including natural rubber and zinc plated steel. Each solution is designed to reduce excess vibration or shock generated by modern machinery and mechanical installations.
Common applications include combustion engines, electrical motors, generators, HVAC equipment, industrial machinery, agricultural equipment, measuring instruments and transit cases.
What Are Anti Vibration Mounts?
Anti Vibration Mounts are rubber elements overmoulded onto metal plates that work to isolate and reduce vibration, noise and interference in vehicles, machinery and equipment.
Available in a range of Shore hardness values, each anti vibration rubber mount is designed to achieve a specific level of deflection and load rating. By absorbing kinetic energy these mounts help to extend service life, minimise breakdowns and improve overall equipment performance.
Anti-vibration mounts are widely used throughout automotive, aerospace, HVAC and general industrial applications. By creating a barrier between vibrating equipment and surrounding structures they can reduce vibration transfer, protect sensitive components and improve equipment reliability.
| Anti Vibration Mount Key Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Main Function | Reduce vibration, shock and noise transfer |
| Standard Rubber | Natural rubber |
| Standard Metal | Zinc plated steel |
| Load Direction | Compression and shear |
| Selection Factors | Load, deflection, frequency, fixing style and environment |
| Specialist Options | Stainless steel and specialist rubber compounds |
Why Use Anti Vibration Mounts?
Vibration Isolation
Reduces the transmission of mechanical vibration between equipment and its supporting structure.
Shock Absorption
Helps protect components against impact, movement and sudden mechanical loads.
Noise Reduction
Limits vibration passing into surrounding frames, panels and structures where it may create secondary noise.
Equipment Protection
Helps protect machinery, sensitive components and connected equipment against continuous vibration.
Common Anti Vibration Mount Applications
Anti-vibration hardware can be used as threaded machinery mounts, vibration isolators and buffers between moving or connected parts.
| Application | Typical Requirement | Benefit of Anti Vibration Mounting |
|---|---|---|
| Combustion Engines | Continuous vibration and movement | Reduces vibration transferred into supporting frames |
| Electrical Motors | Rotating mechanical vibration | Helps isolate motor vibration from machinery and structures |
| Generators | Engine and rotational vibration | Reduces vibration transfer into mounting frames |
| Industrial Machinery | Repeated shock and vibration | Protects machinery frames and connected components |
| Agricultural Equipment | Vibration, movement and high G forces | Helps protect mounted components in demanding operating conditions |
| HVAC Systems | Fans, chillers and air-conditioning equipment | Reduces vibration transferred into buildings and ducting |
| Measuring Instruments | Protection of sensitive equipment | Helps isolate instruments from external mechanical vibration |
| Transit Cases | Shock from movement, drops and impacts | Provides cushioning for equipment during handling and transport |
How Do I Choose an Anti Vibration Mount?
Correct mount selection depends on the weight supported by each mount, the running speed of the equipment and the static deflection required to achieve the intended level of vibration isolation.
| Step | Selection Requirement |
|---|---|
| 01 | Determine the total weight of the equipment and the number of mountings required. |
| 02 | Calculate the weight on each mounting. Consider that the equipment weight may not be evenly distributed. |
| 03 | Determine the running speed or forcing frequency of the equipment. |
| 04 | Determine the required static deflection. The guide notes that approximately 70% isolation is generally acceptable for most applications. |
| 05 | Select a mount capable of supporting the load per mounting while providing the required static deflection. Also consider whether the equipment is mobile or static. |
| 06 | Ensure connected services including exhausts, pipework and ducting remain flexible enough to allow the isolated equipment to move freely. |
Running Speed, Isolation & Static Deflection
The table below is taken from the Vital Parts quick step guide and shows the approximate static deflection required at different running speeds and levels of vertical isolation.
| Running Speed (RPM) |
Vertical Isolation Required | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 70% | 80% | 90% | |
| 1000 | 4.0mm | 5.4mm | 10.0mm |
| 1500 | 1.8mm | 2.5mm | 4.5mm |
| 3000 | 0.5mm | 0.7mm | 1.2mm |
A mount should not be selected by thread size alone. Load per mounting, running speed, required deflection and operating conditions should also be considered.
Other Factors to Consider When Selecting Anti Vibration Mounts
Environmental conditions and equipment movement can significantly influence the most suitable mounting material and design.
| Factor | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Oil, Fuel & Chemicals | Check whether standard natural rubber is suitable or whether a specialist resistant rubber is required. |
| Extreme Temperatures | High-temperature rubber options can be supplied for specialist operating environments. |
| Corrosive Environments | Applications such as offshore equipment or high-humidity environments may require stainless steel fittings. |
| High G Forces | Off-road vehicles, construction plant and military equipment may experience high dynamic loads. |
| Shock Protection | Fragile equipment may require isolation against drops and impacts as well as continuous vibration. |
| Foundation | The foundation should be level and flat. Additional care may be required for suspended floors. |
| Suspension Springs | Suspension springs may be required to accommodate movement in equipment such as vibratory rollers, compactors and screens. |
| Low-Speed Equipment | Fans, chillers, blowers and air-conditioning units require careful selection because operating speed affects required deflection. |
| Angular & Torsional Movement | Trunnion bushes and suspension bushes may be more appropriate where angular or torsional movement is present. |
| Human Vibration | The supplied guide references ISO 2631. |
| Mechanical Vibration | The supplied guide references ISO 7919 and ISO 10816. |
Which Anti Vibration Mount Fixing Style Do I Need?
Bobbin mounts are available with different threaded fixing arrangements. The correct style depends on how the mount connects to the machinery, bracket or supporting structure.
| Fixing Style | Connection | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Male to Male | Exposed threaded stud on both faces | Use when both sides of the installation need an exposed thread for nuts, tapped plates or matching bracket locations. |
| Male to Female | Threaded stud on one side and internal thread on the other | Useful where one side requires a projecting stud while the opposite side needs to accept a bolt or mating threaded component. |
| Female to Female | Internal thread on both faces | Suitable where separate bolts are used on both sides and a lower-profile mount is preferred before assembly. |
Anti Vibration Mount Examples
These three products demonstrate how fixing style, bobbin size, load rating and deflection vary across the range.
M3 x 6mm Anti Vibration Mount
8mm x 8mm rubber bobbin with a 3.3kg weight rating.
View Anti Vibration Mounts →
M4 x 10mm Anti Vibration Mount
10mm x 8mm rubber bobbin with a 4.4kg weight rating.
View Anti Vibration Mounts →
M6 Anti Vibration Mount
15mm x 15mm rubber bobbin with a 30kg weight rating.
View Anti Vibration Mounts →Example Anti Vibration Mount Specification Comparison
| Specification | M3 Male to Male | M4 Male to Female | M6 Female to Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bobbin Size | 8mm x 8mm | 10mm x 8mm | 15mm x 15mm |
| Thread Size | M3 | M4 | M6 |
| Thread Length | 6mm | 10mm | — |
| Fixing Style | Male to Male | Male to Female | Female to Female |
| Shore Hardness | 60 IRHD | 60 IRHD | 60 IRHD |
| Weight Rating | 3.3kg | 4.4kg | 30kg |
| Deflection | 0.6mm | 0.6mm | 1mm |
| Material | Zinc Steel & Natural Rubber | Zinc Steel & Natural Rubber | Zinc Steel & Natural Rubber |
Anti Vibration Mount Materials
Standard mounts combine natural rubber with zinc plated steel. Alternative materials are available for specialist environments.
| Material Option | Purpose | Typical Environment |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Rubber | Standard vibration and shock isolation | General machinery and equipment |
| Zinc Plated Steel | Standard threaded metal fixing | General industrial applications |
| Stainless Steel | Alternative metal fixing for more corrosive conditions | High humidity and specialist environments |
| High Temperature Rubber | Specialist rubber for elevated temperatures | High-temperature machinery environments |
| Oil or Fuel Resistant Rubber | Improved resistance where contamination is expected | Oil refineries, machinery and fuel-exposed installations |
Anti Vibration Mount FAQs
Need Anti Vibration Machine Mounts for Your Equipment?
Whether you need to reduce vibration, noise or movement from industrial machinery and equipment, our team can help you select an Anti Vibration Mount based on load, deflection, fixing style and operating conditions.
Regular Requirements?
Manufacturers, engineers and maintenance teams can also apply for a Vital Parts Business Account.
Apply for a Business Account →Related posts
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