Water-Resistant Sorbothane® – an innovation in shock and vibration materials. Sorbothane, Inc. engineers have developed a unique formulation that makes Water-Resistant Sorbothane® impervious to moisture while maintaining Sorbothane’s impressive ability to attenuate shock and control vibration.

“This is a breakthrough for us…” David Church, President of Sorbothane, Inc. explained, “product design engineers have asked for it and now we have it – a superior wet environment isolator with all the benefits of Sorbothane.”

WATER-RESISTANT SORBOTHANE® FEATURES & BENEFITS

• Water-Resistant Material – Not A Coating Or Cover
• Relatively Unaffected By Water – Negligible or No Swell
• For Use In Any Wet Environment – Minimal Weight Gain
• Maintains The Superior Shock Attenuation & Vibration Isolation Of Sorbothane®
• Complete Test Results Available – Contact Sorbothane, Inc. For Recommended Usage

Sorbothane® is a proprietary visco-elastic material that has been specified by engineers worldwide for over 3 decades. Its superior damping and isolation properties have been scientifically and real-world proven. In many applications and laboratory tests Sorbothane® has achieved shock absorption levels of up to 94.7%. And Sorbothane® stays stable over a broad temperature range, enabling it to isolate damaging vibration and attenuate impact shock in many varied conditions. Its near faultless memory ensures a return to original shape, even after repeated compressions. Sorbothane® is ideal for engineering design applications requiring shock absorption, vibration isolation and acoustical damping.

Sorbothane, Inc.
2144 State Route 59
Kent, Ohio 44240
800.838.3906
sales@sorbothane.com
www.sorbothane.com

American workers proudly make all Sorbothane® products in the USA

While the designers assume that there will be some vibration, there are other factors that can increase the rate of vibration. The age of the machine and the sum of its parts, its overall weight (including when in use) or the way that it is used, can increase vibration. That increased vibration can then cause fatigue, breakdown or premature failure.

Why Vibration Suppression Is Important

Vibration can speed the breakdown of certain parts. It can also cause other parts to move out of place, which may cause serious damage as well. For instance, in a motor, if a part moves out of place it can stop other parts from moving. Eventually that may cause the motor to break down completely. Before you get to that moment, though, you may notice increased noise and the motor may become overheated quickly.

Finding a way to suppress or absorb this vibration is key to protecting the motor or other application.

An Example of Why Vibration Suppression Is So Important

Take a motor that has ten working parts inside of it. All ten of those parts have a space that they must sit in, and all ten parts work by moving in some form. The fastest moving of these parts may create some vibration, which can eventually cause them to move into the path of the other parts and slow down how quickly they move or may force them to move in a direction beyond what it was designed to do. Eventually, that will mean that one or more of those parts will become broken.

In a motor that can be easily repaired, that may not be that big of a deal, however, in other motors, it can take more time and effort to even diagnose the actual root of the problem. In certain applications, repairs are not going to be immediately possible,, leaving you with a major problem. Reducing vibration can slow the harmful damage that can be created and prolong the life of the machine in question.

Custom Parts Are an Option

For some people, the standard parts offered on the Sorbothane website are the right solution, but for others, the need to find different parts becomes important. Sorbothane can be created in the right size, thickness and even in the right color if that is important. Look at the Sorbothane catalog, and if you do not see what you need, then speak to a design specialist for assistance in finding the perfect vibration solution.

Testing is generally done on an application as it is designed and does not take into account the modifications. That can mean that new solutions for old problems will have to be created as well.

Vibration solutions are usually employed during the design process. For instance, a high speed, high output blender is discovered to have too much vibration from the rotating blades plus the motor, which makes it noisy to operate, causes the motor to become too hot (which hastens its eventual demise) and finally, makes the blender creep along the counter, which can be quite a problem in the typical kitchen setting. Reducing the majority of the vibration in the blender motor can change those issues and improve its overall value.

Do You Need Standard Parts or a More Custom Solution?

Once you recognize that you need some type of vibration solution, you then need to decide whether you need one that can be solved with something that already exists or if you will need a more customized part. That can easily be determined by starting with a look at the Sorbothane web site and catalog. You will know immediately if the right part already exists. If not, it is time to talk to the design team specialists who can help you determine what you need. Specially created Sorbothane has a number of applications, including something as simple as cushioning for athletic shoes to something as complex as the space shuttle and everything in between.

Think about the blender from before; it needs to have a fast and powerful motor that operates the blades powerfully enough to blend up whatever food is being mixed. Some models are used to do things beyond just the average mixing- they may need to crush ice or to blend frozen fruits. The more it is expected to do, the faster and stronger the motor will need to be. That also increases the problems caused by vibration. The maker of those types of blenders will use Sorbothane in such a way that it absorbs the excess vibration and makes the blender quieter, more stable and longer lasting.

Of course, Sorbothane is used in a number of other types of applications and can be adapted to fit any need that you might have.

Pacific Design and Manufacturing Show

Anaheim Convention Center – Anaheim, CA

February 14 – 16, 2012

Booth # 3525

Kent, Ohio – Sorbothane, Inc. announced today they will exhibit at the 2012 Pacific Design and Manufacturing Show. A demonstration of the new Water-Resistant Sorbothane® will be featured at the Sorbothane booth.

Sorbothane, Inc. will also display standard and custom molded products for applications requiring shock absorption, vibration isolation and acoustic damping.

Sorbothane® is recognized worldwide as the ultimate material for attenuating shock, isolating vibration and damping noise. No other material can dissipate energy as effectively. Sorbothane® is a highly damped, visco-elastic polymeric solid that “flows” like a liquid under load. Unique applications call for unique solutions. Our engineers are ready to help design the ideal damper or isolator to meet individual product objectives.

● RAPID PROTOTYPING
● LOW-COST TOOLING
● FAST TURN AROUND
● MADE IN USA

Sorbothane, Inc.
2144 State Route 59
Kent, Ohio 44240
800.838.3906
Email sales@sorbothane.com
www.sorbothane.com
Sorbothane®…Shock and Vibration Solutions

Vibration is rarely the desired effect in any application from industrial, athletic or other industries. Vibration is usually a detriment and can cause problems such as fatigue in the human components or damage in other components. One of the simplest to understand examples is a runner running along a cement or paved road path. As his feet hit the ground, they pound the solid ground, creating energy that propels them forward. However, some of that energy compacts and instead of being absorbed by the ground will be sent rebounding back into the feet and legs. That leads the runner to feel tired faster and may prevent him from running greater distances or achieving higher speeds.

In other words, the runner is not progressing in his running program. But, vibration and finding methods of vibration reduction is seen in larger scale applications as well.

How Sorbothane Works for Vibration Reduction

In any type of application, the solution that is used for vibration reduction has to do two major tasks. First, it has to actually accomplish the goal of vibration reduction. Second, it must not create additional problems or issues with the design, mechanism or usability of the component it is being added to. For instance, in a specially designed running shoe, a thick pad that is meant to absorb some of the created impact for the runner cannot elevate the foot so much that the shoe becomes tight and uncomfortable nor can it prevent runners from being able to feel their own foot falls as they run.

The need for a good vibration reduction method that satisfies both of these needs becomes more apparent with more intricate applications. A runner may feel a little discomfort or may not be getting the distance that he wants, but other applications can become dangerous- to the point of being deadly if there is a problem within the delicate gears and motors.

Some of the suggestions would work for one property or another. Remember, in some applications, dissipated energy generated from the vibration reduction becomes heat. The amount of heat that is created is directly correlated to the size of the application and the speed at which it is operated. The bigger and the faster, the higher the temperature will be, meaning that anything that is used in that application will have to withstand the high heat.

Standard or Custom Parts: Sorbothane Has You Covered

Sorbothane is a uniquely created, visco-elastic polymer with properties of solids and liquids. It can be created to be any thickness, shape or size. It can also be created in a number of colors if its appearance matters. The first step is to check out the Sorbothane catalog and then to discuss your needs with a design professional. If there is nothing in the catalog that is perfect, then a custom created part will be the answer that you need.

Kent, Ohio

Cleanrooms are used extensively in semiconductor manufacturing, scientific research, biotechnology and fields that are sensitive to environmental contaminants. Acorn Industries Inc., Ultraclean Products Division tested a 65 durometer Sorbothane® Vibration Isolation Pad. The results show the Sorbothane® Pad to be compatible with Cleanroom Class 100 conditions per Federal Standard 209 and Class 5 conditions per ISO 14664-1 Cleanroom Specifications. Testing also showed Sorbothane® to be a collector of particles not an emitter of particles.

Sorbothane® is recognized worldwide as the ultimate material for attenuating shock, isolating vibration and damping noise. No other material can dissipate energy as effectively. Sorbothane® is a highly damped, visco-elastic polymeric solid that “flows” like a liquid under load. Unique applications call for unique solutions. Our engineers are ready to help design the ideal damper or isolator to meet individual product objectives.

● RAPID PROTOTYPING
● LOW-COST TOOLING
● FAST TURN AROUND
● MADE IN USA

Sorbothane, Inc.
2144 State Route 59
Kent, Ohio 44240
800.838.3906
Email sales@sorbothane.com
www.sorbothane.com

Sorbothane®…Shock and Vibration Solutions

In some cases, the vibration damping material can be something as simple as cotton to muffle some of the distortion caused by the vibration, but this does nothing to reduce the actual vibration, which means that none of the actual damage is avoided. The longer the damage is allowed to continue, the more potential harm can be accumulated.

Choosing a Better Vibration Damping System with Sorbothane

There are some suggestions for vibration damping, but some are far inferior to Sorbothane. For instance, suggestions that include rubber can be a problem because rubber, while a durable material, is not temperature stable and can be damaged under certain situations. Excessive cold can make the rubber material become brittle and break. And, while rubber is stretchable, it does have limitations. The further that you stretch rubber past its safest stretch point, the more likely it will be to break under the stress. It may also collapse under heavy loads.

Sorbothane is unique in that it has the properties of liquid materials as well as those of solids. Created to be strong and pliable, it can be used in delicate machines that could otherwise be harmed by poorly constructed materials. Sorbothane is also meant to have a very low creep rate and to be more temperature and load stable than other materials.

Some types of materials can only be used in certain colors, which can limit their application. Sorbothane, however, is available in a wide range of colors and can sometimes be custom blended if the color that you need is not already listed as available.

The Exact Vibration Damping System that You Need

On the Sorbothane product list are a number of different vibration damping systems that can be used in various components. However, there will be some instances where the right one cannot be found on the list. In that case, you can order exactly what you need, by thickness, size, shape and even color if applicable so that your vibration isolation system is the perfect one for your machine’s needs.  If you’re dedicated to preventing damage and want good sound quality in the process, then you will definitely want to investigate the use of custom ordered parts from Sorbothane.

Over time, that vibration can also cause parts to break down, leading to the expense of either repairing the machine or replacing it, depending on which makes more sense. It is far simpler to try to prevent some of this damage from happening in the first place by using a vibration isolator to protect some of the parts from the vibrations of others.

One machine part that is intended to vibrate may eventually transfer some of its motion to other parts that are not meant to move – which is a major mechanical problem.

Sorbothane Vibration Isolator, the Perfect Solution.

Sorbothane is a unique material, one that acts like a liquid but is actually a solid. Comprised of visco-elastic polymers, it is meant to absorb excess vibrations without hampering the performance of the machine itself. It can be made to be as thin as possible or can be made to be thicker, depending on the actual design needs.

In addition to the ability to custom order Sorbothane by thickness or by overall size, you can also order it in a wide range of colors, which makes it perfect for external applications as well as for designs that will keep it hidden from view.

Why Choose a Sorbothane Vibration Isolator over a Different Type

Some types of vibration isolators are made of rubber or other materials. While these materials can be beneficial, there are some drawbacks. Rubber, when exposed to certain conditions, can become brittle and then break. In high temperatures, which can be present in certain types of high performance motors, rubber can melt and become gummy. Other materials may have similar drawbacks, causing the isolator to fail eventually.

The more fragile or unstable the material, the more likely it is to fail at the worst possible time.

How to Get the Right Sorbothane Vibration Isolator

If there is a need for a vibration isolator, it is possible that you can find the right one on the Sorbothane product pages. However, if you do not see the right size, shape or thickness or even the right color vibration isolator, you can custom order what you need. All you need are the right dimensions and you can get exactly what you need for your machine’s protection.

For some applications, color may not matter at all, but for visible applications, the right color choice can make the perfect finishing touch on the item that you are building. There is a wide range of color choices to choose from.

Taking Vibration Out of the Equation

In some cases, slowing down the speed of the motor or component may be an effective in vibration isolation, but that will certainly cause a loss of velocity. Some motors cannot work correctly if they are not allowed to gather speed and move as rapidly as they were intended. It can not only destroy the way the motor performs, but can also cause damage to other parts.

In some cases, the vibration might be caused by a rapidly turning fan that is meant to keep dust or debris out of the motor as well as to help cool it down. If this fan is not turning fast enough, then the motor can become too hot and may be damaged by that.

A vibration pad is typically used to control at least some of the vibration that is dangerous to your application.

If a Solution is Not Already in Place

In the design of some motors, there is an adjustment made for vibration that is meant to protect the more delicate parts. But even these designs may be a little less than perfect and may leave some room for improvement. Sorbothane is a unique material- a solid that acts like a liquid, flowing and moving without breaking or cracking. It is technically a visco-elastic polymer with a number of properties that makes it perfect for a wide range of applications. It can withstand great amounts of pressure when used in huge applications but can also be applied in a whisper thin coating for smaller, more intricate uses. In addition, if you cannot find the right vibration pad in the right size or color, you can custom order one that will be perfect for you.

Why Sorbothane

For decades, Sorbothane has been the vibration pad of choice for a wide range of applications from single applications to huge commercial needs. The company has a wide ranging catalog of already made and in stock pads that can fit your needs, but if you do not find what you need, you can special order a custom fit and designed pad, no matter what you need it for.

For some people, the need for a specially designed vibration pad can be a simple process but for a more complex piece, there might need to be some planning and some discussion with the design team. It can all be handled though, and your specially created and unique vibration pad will soon be in place, ready to work.