Isofoam prevents vibrations by laterally isolating Starrag machine foundations

United Kingdom

Machine

Starrag Ecospeed F

Client

BAE Systems, UK

Farrat Solutions

Isofoam 120 Side Wall Vibration Isolation Material

Isofoam was installed on the inertia block in 120-50 mm thickness, up to 3 m deep

25 mm thick Isofoam top layer

Project Overview

Farrat isolate the foundations of 3 high-speed machining centres at BAE Systems (BAE) UK aerospace facility, producing components for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightening Fighter Jet

The Challenge

BAE Systems (BAE) produce multiple components for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightening II Fighter Jet as part of the biggest recorded weapons programme in history. Each plane is manufactured from a range of aluminium, titanium and carbon fibre composites and is reported to cost around $100 million.

To meet strengthening F-35 sales volumes, three new Starrag machining centres were required by BAE to form the aluminium and titanium parts. It was crucial that surrounding vibrations did not impact production lines or machine operating performance, therefore an effective, long-term isolation solution was required.

The Solution

Farrat worked closely with the Structural Engineer during the design stage, who specified Isofoam 120 Side Wall Vibration Isolation Material to laterally isolate the machine foundations. Isofoam 120 is produced from a high-quality, closed-cell EPDM foam, and has high resilience / low damping characteristics, which means that it is a durable and economical material – ideal for this type of application.

The Isofoam was installed on the inertia block in 120-50 mm thickness, up to 3 m deep. Direct support poles were then inserted to provide maximum machine stiffness, followed by a 25 mm thick Isofoam top layer, before backfilling the surrounding floor. This is a highly-effective and typical construction method for a lateral Isolated Foundation configuration, as the Isofoam prevents vibrations travelling through the floor-slab and radiating downwards through the ground.