Insulation

Noise Control and Acoustic Insulation: Sound Sources and Frequencies

Noise Control and Acoustic InsulationAcoustic insulation absorbs, transmits, or redirects sound – a form of energy that travels in waves. Unwanted sounds, or noise, aren’t just unpleasant to hear. They can harm human health, jeopardize worker safety, and contribute to structural fatigue. The consequences of noise can be severe, but its characteristics are sometimes misunderstood.

In Part 1 of this series, Elasto Proxy shared a surprising example of two machines running at different decibel (dB) levels in the same room. In Part 2, we’ll examine some other sources of noise in the industries we serve. Importantly, you’ll learn why acoustic insulation must account for more than just a sound’s source. Frequency, the speed of the change of the sound, is a key design consideration for noise control. (more…)

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Military Thermal-Acoustic Insulation

Thermal-Acoustic InsulationThermal-acoustic insulation for military land systems absorbs heat and sound. These composite structures are used in engine compartments, doors, floors, side panels, and hatch covers. Elasto Proxy custom-fabricates thermal-acoustic insulation from foams, films, facings, and other specialized materials that meet your requirements. Our capabilities include water jet cutting for precise cuts, lamination for the reliable joining of different materials, and taping for thermal-acoustic insulation that’s easy-to-install.

For designers of military vehicles, it’s important to specify thermal-acoustic insulation that supports the mission. The big diesel engines that power military land systems run hot and loud. Heat and noise from the engine bay don’t just make the crew compartment uncomfortable. The air conditioning needs to run constantly, soldiers can’t hear each other over engine sounds, and the vehicle’s thermal profile is more susceptible to infrared detection. High heat can damage vehicle electronics, too. (more…)

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Military Vehicle Engine Bay Insulation

Military Land SystemsEngine bay insulation for military vehicles keeps noise and heat in the engine bay from reaching the passenger compartment. The diesel engines that power military land systems run loud and hot, raising concerns about solider health and safety. Warfighters need to be able to hear each other above engine sounds, and a vehicle where the air conditioning runs full-blast is less fuel-efficient. Hotter vehicles also have stronger heat signatures, making them more susceptible to thermal detection by hostile forces.

Thermal-acoustic insulation is important, but manufacturers of military vehicles also need to protect on-board electronics and instruments from sound-induced vibrations. Otherwise, these noise disturbances can shorten equipment life through component failure. Resistance to flash and fire supports the mission, too. Engine bay insulation must also resist oil and automotive chemicals, withstand washdowns with water and detergents, and support cost-effective fabrication. (more…)

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Mobile Equipment Engine Bay Insulation

Engine Bay InsulationEngine bay insulation for mobile equipment keeps heat and noise in the engine compartment from reaching the cab interior. The diesel engines that power mobile equipment run hot and loud, which raises concerns about occupant comfort, health, and safety. Mobile equipment manufacturers also need to protect cabin components such as instruments from sound-induced vibrations. For a complete engine bay solution, Elasto Proxy makes thermal-acoustic insulation that can also dampen vibrations.

With mobile equipment, the cab where the operator sits is right next to the engine compartment. Unless adequate engine bay insulation is attached to the firewall, heat and sound from the engine will spread to the cabin. Cab insulation helps, but you need a complete solution. Elasto Proxy makes firewall insulation, and also fabricates insulation that’s installed under the cabin floor. This thermal-acoustic insulation is important in mobile equipment designs where the cab is directly above the engine compartment. (more…)

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Mobile Equipment Cab Insulation from Elasto Proxy

Custom Cabin InsulationCustom cabin insulation for mobile equipment absorbs sound and provides a finished appearance to cabin interiors. Headliners, door panels, and side panels are made of perforated vinyl foams that, depending on the amount of cabin noise, are typically 1/2” or 1” thick. This acoustic insulation can be hand-cut and applied with spray adhesives, but that process is labor-intensive, results in material waste, and raises health and safety concerns. Fortunately, there’s a better way to get the cab insulation that you need.

Elasto Proxy uses value-added manufacturing to create custom cab insulation for mobile equipment. Water jet cutting makes precise cuts with straight lines or chamfered angles. Taping replaces adhesive spraying with peel-and-stick installation. Kitting, parts marking, and packaging put everything your installers need at their fingertips. Elasto Proxy offers design assistance and help with material selection, too. By choosing cab insulation from Elasto Proxy, you’ll save time and money while improving quality. (more…)

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Mobile Equipment Insulation: Get the Sample Kit

Mobile Equipment InsulationMobile equipment insulation absorbs sound and deflects heat, helping to keep drivers and operators safe and comfortable. Materials of construction vary, but generally include foams, foils, and facings. For mobile equipment manufacturers, the process of cutting, assembling, and installing thermal insulation and acoustic insulation can result in material waste and concerns about product quality. Manufacturers risk losing sight of their true costs, and potential buyers may notice imperfections in cab and vehicle interiors.

Manufacturing Costs and Quality

Buyers who closely examine a product’s details can draw positive or negative conclusions about overall quality. Door seals that are bonded properly make a good first impression. So does cab insulation that’s cleanly cut and neatly installed. Insulation that’s cut from a template with a utility knife or a box cutter may seem cost-effective, but do potential buyers see uneven cuts and gaps between parts? How much material gets scrapped when installers struggle to make straight or chamfered cuts? (more…)

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Sound Barriers for Acoustic Insulation

Sound BarriersElasto Proxy explains what engineers need to consider when choosing sound barriers.  This article is the third in a multi-part series about acoustic insulation.

Sound barriers are soundproofing materials that reflect little or no noise. They usually contain dense but flexible mats and one or more layers of acoustical foams such as melamine. Various facing materials are also used for attenuation, protection, and decoration. Sound barriers are designed to achieve maximum attenuation over a broad frequency range, but they can impart other important properties. For example, some sound barriers offer resistance to fire and fluids. Other emit low levels of smoke while burning. (more…)

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Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Acoustic Insulation

sound transmission classSound transmission class (STC) describes the ability of a product or material to stop the transmission of airborne sound. Since the 1960s, STC ratings have been used to describe the acoustical properties of ceilings, walls, floors, and doors. Today, STC values are provided for acoustic insulation made from a single material, and for multi-layer composites that are sandwiched together. Higher STC numbers are generally better, but there are exceptions to this rule – and other factors to consider as well.

In this article from Elasto Proxy, you’ll learn what STC is and how it’s measured. For starters, we’ll cover some basic concepts about sound, vibrations that travel through the air or another medium (such as a wall) and can be heard by the human ear. Along the way, it’s important to remember that sound can also be reflected inward (such as within a metal enclosure) and cause vibrations. So while preventing the transmission of unwanted sound (noise) is important, you may face other design challenges, too. (more…)

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Military Acoustic Thermal Insulation

Americans say “Zee” for the letter Z. Canadians say “Zed” instead. In both North American countries, their militaries say “Zulu” so that radio or telephone messages can be understood clearly. If you’re a defense contractor that makes military vehicles, it’s important to know you’ll receive exactly what you asked for. Elasto Proxy, a trusted member of the defense supply chain, can custom-fabricate thermal acoustic insulation that meets all of your requirements.

In this product overview, you’ll learn about two types of thermal acoustic insulation – each with part numbers that begin with Z. So whether you say Zee, Zed, or Zulu, you can count on Elasto Proxy’s U.S. and Canadian offices to support the mission every time. (more…)

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