Eurovib (Acoustic Products) Ltd.

An International Car Manufacturer was experiencing problems associated with circulating pumps and the associated headers on the paint spraying equipment. The headers were repeatedly fracturing resulting in the closing down of part of the system, and therefore the production line, so that repairs could be made. They were experiencing this problem up to 3 times a week, with the obvious consequences.

None of the pumps or the associated headers were isolated and the transferred vibration was obviously causing the fractures. In addition to this, during the site survey, it was noted by the Engineer that the levels of vibration on the floor above were unacceptably high and in places the concrete floor was also fracturing.

It was necessary to re-new the headers (as there was more weld than pipe left in them) and isolate the pumps and the pipe runs. The cost of the hardware for this was less than £250.00. The client was hesitant to carry out the remedial work to all the systems at once as they could not believe that the cost for a remedy to the situation was so low (they had been running at lost production levels for weeks) and therefore started with one non-critical system. The relevant units and pipe runs were isolated and the fracturing problems resolved. The client was incredulous when it was pointed out that the levels of vibration on the floor above had also been dramatically reduced as they had not realized that the systems on the floor below were responsible for this. Needless to say they immediately began isolating the remaining systems and will ensure that all future plant additions have been likewise isolated.