Individual injection-moulded components for long-term vibration damping

Getzner launches Sylocraft® to add 3D geometries to its vibration protection portfolio

23.11.21

Buers (AT). On 23rd November 2021, Getzner Werkstoffe, the world’s leading specialist in vibration protection, will launch Sylocraft®, a new product range whose primary function is to enable small components to be manufactured in a commercially viable manner. Advantages for the customer are that the injection-moulded components can be shaped as required, dampen noise and vibrations, last longer than rubber, and are also visually attractive.

What, for example, do manufacturers of HVAC equipment, white goods, household appliances, electronics, sanitary or medical engineering equipment have in common? Their devices and systems all need small components; components that have to do a lot, but shouldn’t cost too much. Frequently, the role of these tiny components is to dampen noise levels, for example in the mills integrated into coffee makers. They also need to be hard-wearing and long-lasting – especially when they’re exposed to the moisture typical of the sanitary sector – and look good if they’re visible. It is to meet precisely these requirements that Getzner developed Sylocraft®, which is already a protected trademark.

Fewer vibrations, less noise
An example: a Sylocraft component with a height and diameter of just 25 mm can withstand a load of up to 25 kg, yet at the same time dampen noise and vibrations. “Thanks to a unique injection-moulding process, this new material now also enables us to manufacture highly load-resilient and attractive visible components with small or complex geometries. This complements our product range in the field of vibration protection,” explained Thomas Gamsjäger, Senior Vice President of the Industry Division at Getzner. Measurements have shown that feet made of Sylocraft® reduce the vibrations generated by a mixer by an average of 40 percent, and those of a microwave by an average of ten decibels. The decoupled components come in versions with varying levels of damping, with three types of foam to choose from. “Our customers can also take advantage of the more than 50 years of experience that Getzner has in vibration protection: if requested, we will support them all the way from the initial calculations through the design phase to the finished product,” added Thomas Gamsjäger.

Cost-effective, multifunctional and lighter than rubber
With its 100 percent recyclable Sylocraft®, Getzner is able – with immediate effect – to offer customer-specific, multifunctional components at commercially attractive conditions. The only proviso is that industrial-scale volumes are ordered. The vibration protection specialist from Buers has developed a new process in collaboration with a well-known machine manufacturer specialising in injection moulding to produce a foamed thermoplastic with particular elastic properties. The process is, according to the manufacturer, unique in Europe. The innovative nature of the process means that small parts no longer need to be cut to size or milled from metre-long material mats, thus saving time and costs. The foamed components are injected directly into a mould and have the additional advantage that their closed cell, smooth finish gives them a high-quality appearance. “Compared to rubber components, Sylocraft® performs much better, is lighter and has a longer service life. We achieve outstanding levels of vibration isolation in small components and those with complex geometries,” stressed Product Manager Gert Rhomberg.

What makes Sylocraft® so impressive