The Role of IoT-Based Vibration Damping in Industrial Applications

Many industrial settings include vibration-damping materials and devices to protect delicate equipment or maintain consistent environments for highly precise or sensitive tasks. Some of these offerings incorporate Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Although they are relatively niche, these specialized IoT products often offer greater responsiveness than their nonconnected counterparts.

Controlling Vibrations More Effectively

Many older and traditionally designed vibration-damping options only target single vibration modes. However, one connected dampening module tackles several simultaneously, making the results more effective.

People can also access an online portal that shows the status of multiple vibration-damping modules installed in particular locations, receiving performance or maintenance alerts to keep them performing smoothly. Decision-makers installed this option at a London office building, hoping to address a prevalent floor vibration problem. The associated results showed this product reduced vibration responses by almost 75% and did not require building modifications.

The company providing this solution also specializes in assisting clients who wish to repurpose general workspaces into precisely controlled ones, such as labs. Adding IoT-enabled vibration dampers can enable customers to get worthwhile results with less invasive construction measures.

Anyone interested in adding vibration-damping IoT equipment to an existing building or one under construction should consider factors such as the primary sources of the vibration and what occurs in that setting. Those details will help them choose the best option and placement for the selected solution. Speaking to potential technology providers about clients with similar needs who have used particular IoT solutions should also help organizations learn whether they will get the expected results.

Enhancing Production Precision for In-Demand Products

IoT sensors can also detect conditions that humans cannot, alerting factory workers and others handling sensitive jobs that they must take quick corrective actions to avoid waste or defects. 

A collaborative effort between university researchers, physicists, and industrial partners aims to address that problem as it affects semiconductor production facilities.

They’re developing a system that uses inertial sensors to detect vibrations at the subnanometer level. Those involved hope to develop options smaller than coffee cups, making them easier to install within existing facilities. Additionally, team members say their sensors under development will be much more precise than current options. That characteristic could increase their adoption rate and make industrial decision-makers more interested in using them for their most demanding applications.

Industries ranging from aerospace to oil and gas rely on vibration-dampening systems to prevent adverse outcomes. These solutions can prolong equipment life by reducing its exposure to ongoing movement and shocks and keep industrial workers happier and healthier. Minimizing employees’ occupational exposure to abnormal vibrations can reduce unwanted consequences, including hearing loss and nerve damage.

Many mechanical systems, including air conditioning units, naturally vibrate when operating. These may not cause issues in some industrial environments. However, in settings such as biopharmaceutical labs and semiconductor factories, tiny but constant vibrations can be incredibly disruptive to workflows and overall product quality. Many IoT products offer real-time condition monitoring, giving people early warnings of problems. Then, they can respond quickly and potentially before the previously unknown vibrations cause further issues.

Protecting Historical Buildings During Renovations

Many construction tasks create strong vibrations, particularly as people use drills, hammers, and heavy equipment. One of the most convenient things about IoT-connected solutions is that they often have centralized management platforms. These platforms allow authorized parties to control dozens or hundreds of IoT devices simultaneously. They are handy for enabling people to confirm that all connected vibration-damping products are working properly, but they are also useful when individuals must manage vibrations across large sites.

In one unusual but creative application of industrial vibration damping with the IoT, an environmental monitoring company used connected solutions to monitor vibrations affecting a historical building during its extensive excavation, renovation, and construction work.

The selected three-axis technology captured the vibrations and accelerations associated with specific party walls. It also transmitted the data daily over a cellular network, allowing site managers to verify everything was as expected and make prompt changes if necessary.

Additionally, baseline monitoring occurred for six weeks before construction started. Those readings allowed decision-makers to see how much vibration the building regularly endured without damage or other problems. This careful process allowed construction workers to tailor their tasks to stay within specified limits, thereby maintaining the structural integrity of a historically significant project. This example emphasizes that such efforts can be slightly more complicated, but IoT vibration damping makes them possible to complete safely.

IoT Vibration-Damping Products Support Industrial Success

Whether someone’s planned efforts involve semiconductor manufacturing or renovating a building with hundreds of years of history, IoT products can enhance outcomes by detecting and minimizing the vibrations that could otherwise lead to failures and other quality problems.

People interested in using these specialty Internet of Things devices should learn about applicable features and other characteristics to determine which models are the best choices for their particular circumstances. They should also allow ample time for installation, setup, and testing before trusting these products to support critical needs.