Shock mats are easy solutions to floor and equipment damage in industrial and commercial settings. A rubber shock absorber acts as a barrier between damaging forces and the floor or between moving parts of a machine. Not only can a vibration reducing mat protect the floor and equipment from damage, but it can also reduce the noise produced by those vibrations. Areas that will benefit greatly with the addition of rubber shock absorbers include gyms, industrial workplaces and construction sites due to the heavy-duty and abrasive machines and equipment used in these environments. In addition to shock mats, a rubber shock absorber is available in gaskets and liners to use as a barrier between two touch parts of a machine. A rubber shock absorber is the ideal option for protecting floors, machines and equipment.
What Material Best Absorbs Shock?
Rubber absorbs shock the best due to its durability and elasticity that allows it to act as a cushion instead of a hard object being used and possibly breaking. A rubber shock absorber is something that is intended to dissipate and eliminate force, energy and impact caused by dropped items or vibrating machines. Shock mats should be softer in nature so that it can effectively protect equipment and floors without causing more damage like abrasions and dents. Rubber shock mats are often used in abrasive areas because rubber is durable enough to withstand such environments and will effectively protect the equipment and floors alike.
Why is Rubber Used as a Shock Absorber?
Rubber is used as a shock absorber due to its surface protection, equipment protection and noise reduction properties while also being versatile enough to be used in commercial and industrial settings. Rubber shock mats have unique physical properties that allow them to protect the floors and equipment from damage as well as cutting down the overall noise coming from an area. An impact absorbing rubber mat has the ability to absorb incoming energy, such as vibrations or heavy items being dropped, and dissipates the energy so the subflooring underneath will receive very little of that impact force. Furthermore, impact absorbing rubber can be used to make a vibration reducing mat that is ideal for reducing the noise coming from moving equipment. Continuous vibrations over a single area can eventually damage the floor and equipment due to its continuous rattling against two hard surfaces. A vibration reducing mat can create a more efficient and distraction-free environment while protecting the integrity of the floors and equipment alike.
Does Rubber Absorb Force?
Rubber is able to absorb force due to its high tensile strength and low compression set. Rubber’s high tensile strength prevents shock mats from breaking under strain and pressure making them ideal for the abrasive nature industrial and commercial settings. Mats made of impact absorbing rubber has the ability to absorb incoming energies in the forms of vibrations and heavy objects being dropped onto the floor. Shock mats are especially important to have in areas heavy objects can be dropped. For instance, deadlifting stations are excellent examples of impact-heavy areas. These are essentially 500-to-600-pound weights being dropped directly onto the floor from about waist level; this kind of force will severely damage any floor, even the ones that may seem indestructible like concrete. Additionally, a low compression set allows impact absorbing rubber mats to act as a cushion between two objects, or between an object and the floor, without being damaged or misshapen. Shock absorbing floor mats have a low compression set, meaning that it will return to its original shape and form even after being compressed for long periods of time under heavy objects or in-between two pieces of equipment or machinery.
1. How Do I Protect My Gym Floor?
You can protect your gym floor with the addition of shock absorbing floor mats made of rubber. Shock mats inherently act as impact and vibration dampening materials which is ideal for gyms. Commercial and home gyms both experience a great deal of kinetic energy from equipment, weights or vigorous workouts, such as CrossFit®. Generally thicker, a shock absorbing exercise mat does an excellent job of absorbing and dissipating vibrations and noise produced by fitness machines. Both gym floors and equipment can become damaged by the constant ratting of the machines against a hard floor. A rubber shock absorbing exercise mat can reduce the amount of noise produced by fitness machines and prevents damage to floors and equipment by providing a thick and soft barrier between the two.
Do Gym Mats Absorb Sound?
A shock absorbing exercise mat reduces sound by evenly dispersing the vibrations of a fitness machine across the surface of the mat. Shifting workout equipment and machines can cause abrasions on the surface of the floor. A rubber shock absorbing exercise mat features a grippy surface that will help keep machines relatively in place even when moisture in on the surface of the mat to avoid such abrasions. Furthermore, fitness machines can cause vibrations that can damage the floors with excessive exposure to the vibrations. Generally thicker, shock mats do a good job of absorbing and dissipating the vibrations and noise. It is important to remember that a vibration reducing mat can significantly reduce the noise created by vibrations, but it cannot completely eliminate the noise.
How Can I Exercise Without Disturbing Neighbors?
You can exercise without disturbing neighbors by adding shock absorbing floor mats underneath your workout area or fitness machine. Fitness machines and vigorous workouts, such as cardio exercises and CrossFit® workouts, create loud noises that can permeate through the floor and walls. Hardwood, carpet and tile, a few of the most popular home flooring options, are not very good sound proofing materials. Rubber shock mats are thick enough to block noise from breaching into your neighbors’ homes. A shock absorbing exercise mat is ideal for those who live in an apartment above another residence, or a duplex with thin walls, due to their ability disperse energy from vibrations and impacts across the surface of the mat before they can reach the surface of the subfloor.
2. How Do You Prevent Damage from Equipment?
You can prevent damage from equipment with the addition of shock absorbing floor mats and impact absorbing rubber gaskets and liners for machinery. A rubber shock absorber should be placed in areas that will have direct contact with energy from rattling equipment or moving parts of a machine. These rubber gaskets and liners prevent damage caused when parts of a machine rub or hit against each other. A rubber shock absorber is important for the overall functioning of a piece of equipment and preventing malfunctions that can lead to serious hazards. Shock mats prevent damage from occurring to the surrounding areas around a machine or piece of equipment. A rubber shock absorber in the form of gaskets, liners and shock mats can be used for both construction and industrial machines and equipment.
Industrial Machinery
In industrial settings, a rubber shock absorber can be seen in the form of gaskets, liners and shock absorbing floor mats. Industrial workplaces are constantly using heavy-duty machinery that are always actively running; rubber gaskets or liners are used as a shield between two moving parts of a machine to prevent damage. Without a rubber shock absorber, the constant rubbing of two parts of a machine can eventually cause damage and render the machine useless. Shock mats can also be used in industrial settings to prevent damage to the floor as well as the equipment. Heavy equipment can be dropped and can cause damage to the floors and even to the equipment themselves. Furthermore, machine vibrations can cause damage to the machine when it is rattling against the hard floor surface. A vibration reducing mat placed underneath the machine will dampen the vibrations so that the it is not constantly hitting the floor causing damage.
Construction Equipment
Shock absorbing floor mats can be placed around active areas of construction to protect the equipment and floors in the case of constant vibrations and dropped tools. Dropped equipment can cause dents, chips or cracks on the surface of the floor. Shock mats can also be placed directly underneath machinery to protect the floors and equipment themselves from the rattling produced when they are in use. Additionally, some construction equipment may need rubber gaskets to provide a barrier between two moving parts of a machine.
Gyms, industrial workplaces and construction sites are all areas rubber shock mats can prove to be an important addition. These abrasive environments need a protective rubber shock absorber to protect the integrity of the floors and the machines or equipment on top of the shock absorber. A rubber shock absorber, due to its elasticity, high tensile strength and low compression set, can help prevent damage on floors and equipment caused by accidental drops or vibrations caused by machines in use. A vibration reducing mat is also ideal for those wanting to reduce the amount of noise caused by rigorous workouts and fitness machines travelling into neighboring apartments or residences. Shock mats can provide floor and equipment protection while also working to reduce the amount of noise produced in these environments.
