Bilz FAQ section
Welcome to our FAQ-page. We are a leading provider of individual solutions in the field of vibration technology and vibration damping and provide a comprehensive resource with answers to the most common questions our customers have. It is very important to us to ensure you receive all the information you need to successfully plan and execute your projects. Information on projects already successfully carried out by us can also be found in the solutions section.
For further questions not covered on our FAQ page, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our experienced team is always at your disposal to provide quality advice. Thank you for your interest in our products and services. We look forward to working with you.
You have a specific question?
We have the answerWhich machine feet for my machine / installation / frame?
Bilz offers a variety of different options for setting up your machine/installation/ … .
We will find the right solution for you depending on your requirements
- Bilz precision wedge mounts are machine feet that provide the finest levelling when setting up and supporting machines, especially under high loads.
- Bilz levelling elements represent the cost-effective combination of precise level adjustment and effective isolation from disruptive vibrations.
My machine / installation wobbles or is unsteady, what can I do?
The movement of a machine after its isolation can increase, since the dynamics are converted into kinetic energy. Kindly contact our sales department if you have any queries.
As experts in vibration technology, we would be happy to advise you on the precise configuration of your machine installation.
How can I absorb the shocks of a machine?
The essential characteristics of shocks are their duration, course and intensity. To achieve shock isolation, e.g. of presses, die cutters or hammers, the interfering impulse, comprising a high force peak working over a short span of time, is transformed into an impulse, which lasts for a longer time but causes only small residual forces.
Contrary to the periodically excited vibrations, the absorbed system oscillates at the excited inherent frequency of the isolated machine and not according to the excitation, e.g. the stroke rate. This can be compared, for example, with a tuning fork, which always generates a sound at a constant pitch.
Depending on the kind of impulse to be dampened, Bilz offers fully adjusted solutions; you can find current examples here to see some industrial applications of the Bilz solutions for impact absorption. We will be happy to advise you.
What is the best way to mount a press?
It is important here to adjust the mounting optimally for both the source isolation (reduction of the impulse or sinus-shaped oscillating forces) as well as the receiver isolation (protection against floor vibration). You can read more about a customised Bilz solution for the optimal vibration-isolated mounting of a press with a compressive force of 500t.
Imprecise measurement results? What might be the cause?
To identify the interference frequency, we recommend that our experts perform a vibration measurement. Combined with the information from the machine manufacturer about limit value curves, your measuring machine will be laid out specifically so as to reduce vibrations (receiver isolation). Find out more about our broad range of solutions for reducing vibrations of ultra-high precision measuring instruments.
I have received complaints from neighbours about disturbing vibrations / noise. What can help?
You have come to exactly the right place because we are experts for the vibration-insulated mounting of production machinery. A major part of our consulting service regarding vibration technology and vibration isolation is the measurement of vibration emissions or immissions on site. Based on the measuring results, we will find vibration technology solutions to keep within the legally prescribed limit values.
How can I level my machine? / How can I align my machine? / How can I place my machine in water?
Bilz has various height-adjustable and self-locking solutions for this purpose, e.g. the integration of levelling elements for a machine installation with vibration-isolation and structure-borne sound insulation. The maintenance-free machine feet ensure an easy and precise alignment of machines and they are available in many different models. The levelling area depends on the chosen bolt length and it can be adjusted according to your individual requirements.
I have an uneven floor and my machine is tilted; how can I rectify this?
So-called precision levelling wedges facilitate the fast alignment of machines with a levelling precision in the 1/100-mm range. The strong self-locking capacity of the levelling wedges reduces autonomous shifting occurring under vibration forces. The bolted-on wedges remain in place even when the machine is lifted, so that a flexible machine installation is significantly simplified. Furthermore, the high-quality precision mounting wedges of Bilz offer the possibility to compensate floor unevenness of +/-3°. Find information here about the different type series.
What do I have to bear in mind when moving my machine?
Moving machinery always presents an opportunity to scrutinise and optimise the current machinery set-up. Questions: Nature of the floor / substrate? Is the installation site on a solid floor or on a floor slab? Are there sensitive instruments in the vicinity? Our experts would be happy to advise you.
What needs to be considered when re-planning a production area?
The following questions should be considered: How often do the machines have to be moved? What masses and forces are at play? Nature of the floor / substrate? Is the installation site on solid ground or on a floor slab? An advantage if you plan well at the beginning: Sensible vibration-optimised configuration of the machine is also possible, e.g. by means of an oscillating foundation. Find out more about a Bilz solution by means of oscillating foundation – the exact layout of the foundation ensures an efficient solution for the long-term fault-free operation of the machine.
My machine wanders / moves. What can I do?
A solution without anchoring is sought for free-standing machines is often desired in these cases. The Bilz solution: Use of levelling elements and precision wedges in combination with insulating compound pads. You can also achieve high stability safeguarding against sliding/wandering even without anchoring. Even if they are exposed to dynamic loads for many years, the vibration-isolating and damping characteristics will stay virtually unchanged.
How can I fix / anchor / bolt down my machine?
Wedge mounts and levelling elements also offer the option of machine and ground anchoring. (see PKD and BNSHA + floor anchor accessories)
- Bolt-through Bilz precision wedge mounts PKD are used for machines requiring anchoring due to unfavourable centre of gravity conditions.
- The BNSHA levelling elements with bolt-on base plate come especially suited for all machines that have a tendency to “wander”.
I can feel vibrations on the floor. Where are they coming from and what can I do?
These can be attributed to a variety of causes. Possible causes of vibration emission (coming from the periphery) are often amplified by low resonant frequencies of floor slabs: Factory traffic, production machines, … These must either be tackled at the source (source isolation) or machines sensitive to vibrations must be protected from disruptive floor vibrations (receiver isolation). You can find definitions of the technical terms in the Bilz Vibration Technology Glossary.
What needs to be considered when setting up a machine?
There is generally a set-up plan provided by the machine manufacturer. This has to be observed in any case. If you have any questions about vibration isolation and safe machine set-up, we would be happy to help you.
My machine is droning / loud. What can I do?
Noises being emitted may have a variety of causes. The reason is quite often the propagation of structural-borne noise onto operating equipment in the vicinity, stimulating the resonance frequency of the equipment. This can be alleviated by vibration-isolated mounting of the source of disturbance. Extreme cases may also require an enclosure in the form of a soundproof cabin. We would be happy to advise you.
How can I ensure the safe and weather-resistant installation of an aggregate?
A special challenge is the vibration-isolating installation of machines outdoors – due to the effects from the weather, it is important to use wind- and weather-resistant material for the machine installation. Specifically suited for this purpose are, e.g. levelling elements made of stainless steel. Together with the matching fastening bolts, they make for a tried and proven combination for use outdoors. You can find various stainless-steel versions in our product range.
Are there machine feet for machines in the food industry?
In the food industry segment with its critical hygiene requirements, very high standards apply to installations to satisfy official requirements. To reach the vibration isolation in the installation of machines, e.g. by using levelling elements, stainless steel components are recommendable – they even meet clean room requirements. You can find various stainless-steel versions including accessories in our product range.
How can I reduce the transmission of structure-borne sound?
Structure-borne sound refers to mechanical vibrations that propagate in a solid body. The emitted airborne sound can be heard. This is where the vibration-isolated mounting of the source of interference can offer a remedy. Unlike steel springs, for example, Bilz products can also be used to isolate structure-borne sound. Find out more about vibration isolation technology here.
Interference affects my measuring machine. What can I do?
To identify the interference frequency, we recommend that our experts perform a vibration measurement. Combined with the information from the machine manufacturer about limit value curves, your measuring machine will be laid out specifically so as to reduce vibrations (receiver isolation). We are happy to provide you with more information on the different analysis methods for the vibration measurement.
My microscope does not achieve the desired resolution. Can floor vibrations be the cause?
The different technical devices used in an experiment often represent large interference factors: for example, mechanical pumps for building up a vacuum or the generated heat and electromagnetic radiation from network and control devices. Conventional experiments only require that individual parameters be shielded, for example the temperature. However, with the measurement developments in nanotechnology, we now have experiments that are sensitive to multiple or all of the interference factors. Temperature, humidity, vibrations, sound, electromagnetic fields should therefore be shielded all at once. These challenges can be mastered successfully only by considering the complete system. This practical application example provides information about the optimal vibration isolation for optical measuring technology.
The photogram is blurred. What can I do?
Floor vibrations, sound and electromagnetic fields should be shielded all at once. These challenges can be mastered successfully only by considering the complete system. To identify the interference frequency, we recommend that our experts perform a vibration measurement by means of state-of-the-art measuring instruments – FFT analyser and analysis software.. Combined with the information from the machine manufacturer about limit value curves, your measuring instrument will be laid out specifically so as to reduce vibrations (receiver isolation).
What is important to consider when setting up a test room?
If the test room is set up near the production area, the vibration-optimised mounting of the measuring machines or testing equipment is indispensable. We can offer a custom-fit solution based on a vibration measurement taken at the setup site of your measuring or testing equipment.
I need a flexible and decoupled work station. What solutions are there?
It needs to be clarified first: is a complete solution for a vibration-isolated table to be used or an existing work station be vibration-isolated
- The complete solution by means of a vibration-isolated table includes, besides the versions with massive solid stone surfaces, the use of highly effective membrane air spring isolators.
- For an existing work station, the recommendable solution is one of the compact, moving vibration-isolating tabletop versions with passive and active isolation systems, with or without levelling and pressurised air supply, respectively.
I would like to configure my lab bench myself. Is that possible?
Individual requirements vary greatly depending on the application, especially when it comes to lab benches. Bilz offers a wide range of possible special designs in terms of dimensions, possible load-bearing capacities, materials, isolating effect and equipment:
- Special sizes/dimensions
- Additional holes/threads in worktop or base frame
- Mechanical or electronic level control
- Membrane air springs or rubber air springs
- Isolators optionally integrated in the base frame
- Cover
- Arm rest
- Holders for monitor, keyboard, etc.
- Profiles and supporting brackets for additional components
- Castors or levelling elements
- Various materials and paints for doors, housing, shelves
I’m planning a new laboratory. What do I need to consider?
In the planning phase for a new research laboratory where sensitive experiments and measurements up to the nanometre range are to be performed with precision, it must already be considered that external sources of interference such as fluctuations in temperature, humidity, air pressure, sound, electromagnetic fields, or floor vibrations have to be kept at a minimum. For this purpose, solutions such as laboratory insulations (foundation block or platform insulations) or direct insulation of highly sensitive machines (installation of insulating systems in machinery/equipment) are recommendable. A high-quality vibration isolation uses passive membrane air springs, air bearings or active vibration isolation systems. Bilz is a worldwide competent partner in the area of planning and equipping vibration-isolated laboratories. For example, we have also equipped the “noise-free labs” of the Binnnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Centers (IBM / ETH Zurich) for sound and vibration insulation.