Vibration and Noise Issues and a Comprehensive Vibration Isolation Solution for Building Machinery, Piping, and Pools

PGTECH is a provider of vibration isolation solutions from the world-leading brand TOZEN Japan. Our offerings include vibration isolator springs, rubber anti-vibration mats, flexible anti-vibration joints, rubber base mounts, and water hammer arrestors or anti-water hammer valves (hydraulic safety valves). We have extensive experience in providing comprehensive vibration isolation solutions for a wide range of projects in Vietnam and the region. Our solutions have proven to be highly effective, consistently earning us the trust and high regard of investors, consultants, and M&E contractors who choose us as their supplier. In this article, we will discuss the problems of vibration and noise and our comprehensive vibration isolation solutions for machinery, piping, and building pools.

Overview of Vibration and Noise Issues

Vibration and noise are ever-present in our surroundings, whether from machinery running 24/7 on a factory floor, excavators operating at a construction site, or a train moving on its tracks. While vibration and noise are unavoidable—and even necessary—for many types of critical machinery, they are variables that must be carefully managed to ensure smooth operation and avoid costly downtime and maintenance.

Modern machinery is highly intelligent. In the age of digitalization and Industry 4.0, almost every industrial device can be connected via the Internet, allowing them to operate in parallel, be monitored for key variables like energy efficiency, and even predict when maintenance is needed. However, despite all these capabilities, vibration is a variable that is easily overlooked when it comes to keeping machinery operating optimally.

Because vibration is the norm in many environments, it's easy to ignore critical components that have an elevated level of vibration. But increased vibration comes with the risk of component degradation or failure, and subsequent unforeseen downtime. This impact is not limited to the vibrating equipment; nearby components can also feel the effects. In fact, this can not only lead to poorly performing equipment but also cause a halt in production, resulting in significant delays and disruptions until the effects of these abnormal vibrations are addressed.

The Impacts of Vibration and Noise

When it comes to vibration, there are many potential causes for increased excitation. Changes in the operating environment, overloading, extended use, and the effects of aging can all cause excessive vibration and noise. Even simple wear and tear like unbalance, misalignment, or loose parts can increase vibration, leading to increased overload, failure, and breakdowns of critical machinery. If ignored, the consequences can be magnified, causing greater damage to equipment. In essence, vibration shortens the lifespan of critical components and therefore drives up costs in an undesirable and unpredictable way.

On average, the cost of vibration-related downtime—including repair costs, lost production, and lost labor time—can run into millions of Vietnamese dong per hour. In some industries, the impact of vibration is even greater. For example, for operators of specialized vehicles in construction and agriculture, excessive vibration levels can have a much more lasting impact than the effects on the machinery itself. Back pain, varicose veins, and vision impairment are just some of the long-term effects of vibration exposure on workers.

Comprehensive Vibration Isolation Methods for Building Machinery, Piping, and Pools

Although vibration is a necessary characteristic of industrial machinery, action can be taken to manage its levels for optimal performance and to protect workers and assets from the potential harmful effects of excessive vibration exposure. Anti-vibration devices are a crucial starting point on this journey. Due to the diverse operating conditions of equipment across industries, the selection of anti-vibration mounts must carefully consider specific characteristics such as deflection, static load, and alignment of the particular equipment. Therefore, specifying anti-vibration devices from the outset—rather than waiting for vibration and noise issues to become apparent during operation—is a critical step to ensure sustainable performance and worker safety.

TOZEN, a leading Japanese manufacturer of anti-vibration solutions for HVAC and industrial systems, offers a wide range of solutions for diverse applications, including flexible anti-vibration joints, rubber anti-vibration mats, vibration isolator springs, water hammer arrestors, and TOZEN anti-water hammer valves. The company holds over 80% market share for vibration isolator springs in Japan.

Let's explore four of TOZEN's most renowned anti-vibration solutions below.

1. TOZEN Flexible Anti-Vibration and Expansion Joints

TOZEN flexible joints are a crucial component for thermal compensation and vibration isolation, essential in the design of water supply, drainage, steam, gas, and chemical piping systems. TOZEN offers a full range of anti-vibration joint solutions, including rubber expansion joints, rubber anti-vibration joints, stainless steel anti-vibration joints, PTFE anti-vibration joints, and specialized anti-vibration joints. A system with high-quality flexible joints minimizes problems such as leaks and pipe ruptures, ensuring safe and efficient system operation.

Explore TOZEN Japan's Flexible and Anti-Vibration Joint Solutions

PGTECH distributes TOZEN anti-vibration joints for construction projects like water supply and fire protection piping for commercial buildings, condominiums, hospitals, schools, and government agencies. Additionally, TOZEN rubber and stainless steel anti-vibration joints are widely used in the M&E designs of factories and industrial zones across various industries.

2. TOZEN Vibration Isolator Springs

Vibration isolator springs are an indispensable component for pump systems, fans, FCUs, AHUs, generators, cooling towers, production machinery, and pools. TOZEN Japan's vibration isolator springs are designed for high deflection and are made from special materials that can withstand heavy loads, making them suitable for heavy-duty applications. The spring's design, made of steel with steel pads on the top and bottom and a pin lock for secure mounting, provides high load-bearing capacity.

Introducing TOZEN's floor-mounted and hanger-type vibration isolator springs for machinery, chillers, pumps, cooling systems, and industrial equipment

TOZEN's vibration isolator springs are highly effective in controlling both high and low-frequency vibrations produced by mechanical equipment, such as compressors, pumps, air conditioners, fans, and internal combustion engines.

3. TOZEN Rubber Anti-Vibration Pads and Mounts

In addition to flexible anti-vibration joints and vibration isolator springs, one of the most effective anti-vibration solutions from TOZEN Japan is the TP-MAT rubber anti-vibration pad. Rubber anti-vibration pads (rubber anti-vibration mounts, rubber base mounts) are used in many applications with the primary purpose of eliminating harmful vibrations, reducing noise, and absorbing shock. These rubber anti-vibration products are designed based on the inherent vibration-isolating properties of rubber, making them some of the best anti-vibration solutions available. PGTECH is a distributor of TOZEN Japan's rubber anti-vibration pads and mounts.

TOZEN Japan's rubber anti-vibration mats are popular for industrial and HVAC vibration isolation applications

4. TOZEN Water Hammer Arrestors and Anti-Water Hammer Valves

Water hammer arrestors are valves that address and resolve water hammer issues in piping systems. When water is pumped through a system and the pump suddenly stops, a shockwave can travel back through the pipes to the pump, causing vibration and damage to the system. This can lead to hydraulic shock, which can rupture pipes and valves or cause frustrating vibration for operators. To fix this, we need to install water hammer arrestors or anti-water hammer valves to ensure the safety of the piping system.

PGTECH offers TOZEN Surge Anticipating Valve model 550 for anti-water hammer valve solutions

For main systems, we recommend installing TOZEN's MOOHA water hammer arrestors or Surge Anticipating Valve (SAV) 550 - anti-water hammer valves, which feature advanced manufacturing technology and have been installed by PGTECH in thousands of projects nationwide. For user-end points or smaller systems, we can recommend installing the Flexofit S threaded water hammer valve from Flamco, Netherlands.

Conclusion

Because some equipment requires vibration for operation, anti-vibration components aren't always designed to prevent movement. Instead, they facilitate movement by isolating vibrations and preventing them from spreading, essentially protecting nearby assets and workers from their impact. Therefore, integrating anti-vibration mounts into equipment design from the start means they can be properly incorporated for maximum effectiveness. Incorporating these critical components at the initial design stage also helps avoid the need for equipment modifications later, maximizing uptime and productivity while minimizing the potential for vibration-related downtime. As such, it is crucial to carefully consider and select the right anti-vibration solution, whether it be vibration isolator springs, rubber pads, rubber mounts, water hammer arrestors, or anti-water hammer valves.

Just as vibration itself can be felt far from its source, so too can its impact. Without a proper anti-vibration system, noise and vibration can affect the human living environment and disrupt the operations of both machinery and people. As the authorized representative of TOZEN and a consistent top-sales performer, PGTECH regularly collaborates with the world's leading anti-vibration equipment manufacturer to research suitable vibration isolation solutions that protect people and equipment from exposure to vibration and noise. This allows PGTECH to confidently advise and support contractors in selecting the right vibration isolator springs and rubber anti-vibration pads to meet application demands while significantly reducing costs through precise selection. Contact us for the most suitable consultation.

PGTECH GROUP LIMITED – Authorized Distributor of HVAC System Products in Vietnam and Regional Markets

Copyright © – This article is the property of PGTECH Vietnam

News Editorial Board: PGTECH

Engineer: Manh Thang

PGTECH GROUP LIMITED

Business Office: 3rd Floor, Bac Ha Building C14-CT1, To Huu Street, Dai Mo Ward, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Address: No. 12, Lane 28, Tay Ho Street, Tay Ho Ward, Hanoi City, Vietnam

Phone: +84-24-7302 3588/ Fax: +84-24-7302 3589

Hotline: 0962 875 986 /0962 160 126

E-mail: info@pgtech.com.vn / sales@pgtech.com.vn

Website: www.pgtech.com.vn