Foundation isolation is used to control the transmission of vibration and shock between machinery and the surrounding building structure.
For heavy industrial equipment, vibration can travel through concrete foundations and structural elements. For sensitive machinery, vibration from surrounding equipment can also affect accuracy.
Wilrep’s Foundation Isolation solutions are designed for both source isolation and sensitive-equipment applications.
Source Isolation vs. Sensitive Equipment Isolation
There are two common objectives.
Source isolation attempts to prevent vibration generated by equipment from entering the surrounding structure.
Sensitive equipment isolation protects precision equipment from vibration generated elsewhere in the facility.
The isolation system must be designed according to the direction and characteristics of the vibration.
The Role of an Inertia Block
An inertia block adds mass beneath the machine and works together with the isolation system.
Wilrep’s technical documentation describes the inertia block as providing mass for the isolation material and a rigid anchoring base for permanent machine alignment.
Isolation Materials
Depending on the application, foundation isolation may use:
- Isolation pads
- Engineered foam
- Rubber blocks
- Spring isolators
Wilrep’s current Foundation Isolation range includes IB-500 Pads, Regufoam, RT Blocks, Iso-Pyramid Pads and ST Springs.
Foundation Isolation Must Be Designed as a System
The mass of the inertia block, isolation material, machine and operating conditions all interact.
This is why foundation isolation should be considered during the machine installation planning stage rather than added after construction.
