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In the world of M&E, the importance of stability and vibration control cannot be overstated. One key component that plays a crucial role in achieving this is rubber mounting feet. These unassuming yet highly functional components are designed to absorb shocks, dampen vibrations, and provide stability to various types of machinery and equipment.
In this article, we will delve into the significance of rubber mounting feet in M&E applications and look at MIDFIX’s take on rubber feet – QwikFoot, and how they contribute to improved performance, longevity, and overall functionality.
- Why are rubber feet necessary?
- What is QwikFoot?
- What are the different types, sizes and applications of QwikFoot?
Why Are Rubber Feet Necessary
Rubber Feet serve as optimal supports for cable containment, pipework, and HVAC and air conditioning units, accommodating both indoor and outdoor installations across a broad temperature range from -35°C to +80°C.
Rubber feet are specialized components designed to isolate machinery and equipment from external vibrations and shocks. The design of these mounts allows them to absorb and dissipate vibrations, preventing them from transferring to the surrounding environment and other connected equipment. Alternatively, when left as a non-secured base support, they effectively prevent the penetration of roofing systems and membranes. If a permanent fixation is necessary, they can be drilled through to provide enhanced support. These mounts are typically made from high-quality rubber compounds that offer excellent elasticity and resilience, whilst also withstanding the rigors of outdoor environments.
Vibration Isolation:
Rubber mounting feet act as a barrier against vibrations generated by machinery and equipment during operation. By isolating vibrations, these mounts prevent the transmission of these forces to the surrounding structure and nearby machinery, ensuring a quieter and more stable working environment.
Shock Absorption:
In industrial settings, machinery often experiences sudden shocks due to heavy loads, abrupt starts, or stops. Uneven loading or concentrated forces can lead to structural damage in both the machinery and the supporting structure. Rubber mounting feet act as shock absorbers, distributing the load evenly and preventing excessive stress on any part of the equipment or the surrounding infrastructure. This, in turn, helps in avoiding premature wear, fatigue, and potential failure of critical components.
Stability Enhancement:
Rubber mounting feet contribute to the stability of machinery by providing a secure base. This is particularly important for precision equipment, such as laboratory instruments and machining tools, where even minor vibrations or movements can adversely affect performance.
Extended Equipment Lifespan:
The ability of rubber mounting feet to reduce vibrations and absorb shocks translates into a longer lifespan for machinery and equipment. By minimizing stress on components, these mounts contribute to the overall durability and reliability of the equipment.
Roof Protection:
Rubber mounting feet play a critical role in rooftop installations by safeguarding the structural integrity of the building. Vibrations and shocks from machinery can lead to damage to the rooftop, including cracks, leaks, and other structural issues. Rubber mounting feet act as a protective buffer, preventing these forces from directly impacting the rooftop membrane and insulation.
Load Distribution:
Rubber mounting feet assist in distributing the load of machinery evenly, preventing localized stress points. This even distribution of weight helps to maintain the structural integrity of the equipment and the supporting surfaces, reducing the risk of deformations or damage.
Compliance with Design Specifications:
Many machinery and equipment manufacturers provide specific load-bearing requirements for their products. Rubber mounting feet enable engineers to meet these specifications by effectively distributing the load in accordance with the design parameters. This ensures that the equipment operates optimally and safely, aligning with industry standards and regulations.
Noise Reduction:
Vibrations generated by machinery often result in unwanted noise. Rubber mounting feet dampen these vibrations, reducing the noise level produced during equipment operation. This is especially crucial in environments where noise control is a priority, such as laboratories or residential areas near industrial facilities.
Time-Saving:
Traditionally, frames may need to be anchored to the ground to maintain stability and prevent shifting; but this can waste significant amounts of time on site. In comparison, attaching rubber feet is a lot less time-consuming and achieves the same desired result.
What is QwikFoot?
QwikFoot is MIDFIX’s very own take on rubber feet. Made from recycled rubber, QwikFoot offers an economical and environmentally friendly support that protects the roof and offers built-in vibration absorption.
QwikFoot is designed for scenarios where it's impractical to fasten a support bracket's baseplate to the floor. While it is preferred to anchor a frame to the floor on concrete decks, situations such as being on a roof or the inability to penetrate the floor necessitate the use of a substantial, weighty foot to ensure the stability of the frame.
We use our QwikFoot in all our rooftop support systems, namely:
- MX-R – our modular channel-based roof support frames
- MX-R Access – Our rooftop access platforms
- H-Frames
- Bespoke designs such as plant decks and piping/cable runs
QwikFoot Square
QwikFoot Square is crafted from robust recycled rubber, providing effective ballast, stability, and anti-vibration features for freestanding rooftop supports. These are integral components in the construction of H-Frames and other support structures utilizing standard 41mm channels.
Each foot incorporates a metal plate to prevent the connecting member from breaking through the recycled rubber material, ensuring even load distribution across the entire foot pad. To accommodate gradients, the feet are available in 2.5° and 5° pitch versions, with an inherent 1° variable pitch for added adaptability.
Here are some features:
- Heavy-duty square feet for support frames
- Suit rooftop or ground-level building services installations
- Come in 350mm x 350mm and 500mm x 500mm
- Pre-moulded cores take 80x80 Framo sections.
- Manufactured from recycled rubber.
- Non-penetrative roof membrane protection.
- Provides vibration and noise absorption.
- Drainage slots allow water to pass under feet.
- Clearance holes for mechanically fixing to the floor if necessary
Material Specifications:
- Syrene Butadiene granulated rubber (Black SBR) bound together, and heat cured using an 8% ratio of moisture curing Polyurethane Pre-Polymer.
- UV- Resistant
- Working temperature range of -35C to +80C
- Load-bearing pre-galvanised internal steel plates.
The product is available in two sizes: QFS350 (350x350) and QFS500 (500x500). Both sizes come with various slot sizes to accommodate single channel, back-to-back channel, and Framo 80 configurations. Each size can support up to 500kg per foot, irrespective of its dimensions.
Now, you might question why to specify the larger one (QFS 500) if both can support 500kg?
While the 350s are more cost-effective, the QFS500s, with their increased surface area, alleviate pressure on the roof. When positioned on a roof, they rest on insulation beneath the roof, which has a limited capacity for pressure. The larger foot reduces pressure, allowing for increased load capacity. A larger surface area translates to lower pressure, a crucial factor for the floor below, though not directly affecting the foot itself. This characteristic helps distribute the load and maintain the integrity of the roof.
QwikFoot Roof Support Feet:
Introducing an alternative version of our rubber feet – the rectangular QwikFoot Roof Support Feet, available in five lengths to provide support for pipework, cable trays, small condensing units, and various other applications. These have the same features and material specifications as the QwikFoot Square but come with an additional integrated strut channel for easy connection.
While our default preference is the QwikFoot Square (QFS) whenever feasible, the pyramid-shaped feet come into play when dealing with low-level channel frames, such as low-load fan units, or when space constraints limit the use of square feet. Though sharing a similar design, these feet differ by offering various lengths, embedding a channel for mounting purposes, and generally carrying a lower load capacity with reduced stability. The advantage lies in the added rigidity provided by the channel connection to the frame.
Conclusion
In conclusion, rubber mounting feet emerge as indispensable elements in mechanical and electrical applications, offering stability, vibration control, and protection across diverse environments. The significance of these components spans from load distribution and compliance with design specifications to noise reduction and the extended lifespan of machinery. MIDFIX's QwikFoot, crafted from recycled rubber, embodies an economical and environmentally friendly solution, showcasing effectiveness in rooftop support systems. Whether in the form of QwikFoot Square for standard applications or the pyramid shaped QwikFoot Roof Support Feet for specialized needs, these rubber feet play a crucial role in enhancing performance, longevity, and overall functionality across a spectrum of installations.
