Anti-Vibration System Protects Newspaper Press

CMS Vibration Solutions has supplied a range of Regupol RAV materials to reduce the impact of vibration at a new North Wales Newspapers production site in Deeside (UK).

CMS Vibration Solutions fully isolated the foundation of a new KBA Commander press, to prevent external vibrations from causing damage to the print press and eliminate generated vibrations entering the structure of the building.

The vibration consultant specified that the natural frequency should be between 8-10Hz.

To achieve that level of performance both the base and the sides of the foundation had to be isolated.

It was also critical for the finished foundation floor level to be within 2mm of the surrounding area, which made material creep a primary consideration.

To meet the performance criteria, CMS Vibrations said it identified a combination of anti-vibration systems from the Regupol RAV range.

Constructed of polyurethane bound rubber granulate, the Regupol RAV range is claimed to provide a cost-effective option for anti-vibration applications, including low frequency isolation.

The materials have been independently tested at the Institute of Structural Dynamics in Dresden and been shown to retain their technical characteristics over a long lifespan, said CMS.

Brent Knox, of main contractor Eric Wright Construction, which appointed CMS, said: "By recommending and delivering the right materials, CMS Vibrations was able to meet our exact requirements.

Even under very tight timescales they ensured the project stayed on schedule by getting the products on site exactly when we needed them." On the base of the foundation, 155m of Regupol RAV200 was installed with separate Regupol RAV400 bearings inlayed in to the RAV200, at a thickness of 60mm.

The system is said to have been designed to withstand heavy loads, provide effective isolation and at the same time minimise long-term creep.

For the foundation sidewalls, 68 linear metres of Regupol RAV300 was installed in 50mm thick bearing strips.

The material was custom cut and bonded during fitting by CMS approved installers.

Paul Lafone, technical director, CMS Vibration Solutions, commented: "The major challenge with this project was identifying a system that would not only perform well on isolation, but also provide minimal creep properties.

With six different grades in the Regupol RAV range, we were able to select the right materials to deliver a bespoke and robust anti vibration solution." The printing press facility is part of a new GBP16 million production site for North Wales Newspapers.

The KBA Commander press is due to be operational mid 2007.

CMS Vibration Solutions is the exclusive UK supply partner for the complete Regupol RAV range in the UK.

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