Antivibration

Antivibration refers to techniques and devices used to reduce the transmission of mechanical vibrations from a source to a receiver, or to dampen oscillations within a structure or mechanism. The goal is to improve comfort, protect components, and improve measurement accuracy by lowering vibrations in the frequency bands of interest.

Passive antivibration relies on materials and mechanical elements such as elastomeric or rubber-metal mounts, springs, dampers, viscoelastic pads, and air or pneumatic isolators. These devices create a flexible interface that shifts or attenuates resonances, reducing transmitted forces. Active antivibration uses sensors, actuators, and control systems to counteract vibrations in real time, and semi-active approaches adapt damping properties.

Typical applications include machinery and engines, automotive and aerospace components, building and civil engineering for vibration isolation in floors and equipment supports, and sensitive instruments such as optical tables and electron microscopes. Anti-vibration gloves and wrist supports are used to reduce hand-arm vibration exposure in occupational settings.

Performance is described by transmissibility, natural frequency, and isolation bandwidth. Design involves selecting suitable stiffness and damping to place the system’s natural frequency away from dominant excitation frequencies. Practical factors such as load, temperature, space, maintenance, and cost influence the choice of mounts and systems.

Limitations of antivibration include limited isolation at low frequencies, potential instability in active systems, added weight and energy consumption, and the need to avoid resonances. Ongoing advances include smart materials, magnetorheological dampers, and adaptive control to improve performance across changing conditions.