Good vibration dampening material

[Anarchist]

I'm considering producing a project, where I will be producing a case from scratch (will make a work log somewhere when I get round to actually starting it), but i'm wondering what would a good vibration dampening material be?

By such, I mean a material to go between the sheet metal on the bottom and the devices, which are prone to vibration - hard drives, dvd drives + psu. Know of anything that's worth using? Something like a rubber sheet or another material of that sort?

If you have anything specific post links; UK links would be best, but other links would be able to give me a good idea. Thanks.

If you're a little confused, I intend to line the entire bottom of the case with one material to act as a dampener.

[nevermind1534]

Or silicone. You can buy sheets fitted for specific fan sizes, and also washers and power supply insulators from newegg.

[Anarchist]

You can buy sheets fitted for specific fan sizes, and also washers and power supply insulators from newegg.

That's what I want to avoid. :think:
Can get quite expensive if you do it for several hard drives, several dvd drives and the PSU. :neutral:
So thought as a good way around it, just line the entire bottom layer with it. :twisted:

[nevermind1534]

I got two fan dampeners and either four or eight washers for $4 or $5. It could get expensive for that much stuff, though.

[halcyonforever]

Hmmm, you can buy some sheets of rubber, I once used some roofing liner in a simmilar manner. You'll have to try and keep track of heat though, I know hard-drives can get pretty hot on the bottom so need to take that into account. Normally when I do dampening I only insulate the points of contact and leave the remainder open. Such as a hard drive mounted to a flat sheet, I would use two strips of insulation where the screws held it down, but leave just a small amount of space between the bottom of the drive and the base material. No so much for ventilation, but just to avoid heat capture. (ok so ventilation, but not full out fan blowing that we normally talk about)

[Eclecticos]

I would suggest using Dynamat (http://www.dynamat.com/products_car_audio_introduction.html).

[Anarchist]

Such as a hard drive mounted to a flat sheet, I would use two strips of insulation where the screws held it down, but leave just a small amount of space between the bottom of the drive and the base material. No so much for ventilation, but just to avoid heat capture. (ok so ventilation, but not full out fan blowing that we normally talk about)

I intend to side mount the hard drives anyway, so all it would be touching is the side (with the screws), though I could cut away extra slits to help with the ventilation of the screw side. :think:

The actual surface of the hard drive should be well cooled; will be using a dedicated fan (maybe 2 - one intake; one exhaust) for the hard drives. That dynamat stuff looks great, until I saw the price of the stuff. :eek:

Still uncertain of a suitable material; seems so hard to get such a small amount of the material! I could always use sound insulation but I would have thought that would get it alot hotter than something like rubber :think: Will also need to be able to tap screws through the material, for the hard drives.

[nevermind1534]

If you pay for shipping, I can send you my washers. Just PM me with your address.

[Anarchist]

Thanks for the offer mate :up:, but I'm in the UK so that could also get quite expensive. :p
I can get washers/grommets pretty cheaply too (much cheaper than that), that's not the problem, the dampening on parts other than the screws is the more expensive bit.

[nevermind1534]

true

[Anarchist]

true

Thanks alot anyway man. :up:
Was very kind of a suggestion of you. ;)
Anybody have any cheap practical solutions?
I was initially thinking of something that you get day to day that could be used to dampen the vibration? Something like a rubber bath mat or something. :twisted:

[nevermind1534]

If it's a permanent installation, or at least somewhat permanent, You could buy a tube of silicone, and coat the sides of the drives with that.

[Anarchist]

Would be too difficult to remove. :dead:
Good idea though otherwise. :)
Anybody know of a cheap material with shock absorbing qualities/noise dampening qualities which is pretty much dielectric for use?

[Anarchist]

Sorry for double post, but would neoprene be a suitable material?
According to wikipedia it is commonly used for "noise isolation in white power transformer installations, and as padding in external metal cases to protect the contents while allowing a snug fit". As well as "electrical insulation" and laptop sleeves.

[blueonblack]

How about this?

http://www.organize.com/12x5black.html

I've used it in my tool boxes for years, I'd say that's it's plenty thick enough to dampen the minor vibrations you'll find in PC equipment (you can layer it for more dampening if needed), it has holes for ventilation, and it's cheap.
________
FERRARI F1/87 (http://www.ferrari-wiki.com/wiki/Ferrari_F1/87)

[Anarchist]

How about this?

http://www.organize.com/12x5black.html

I've used it in my tool boxes for years, I'd say that's it's plenty thick enough to dampen the minor vibrations you'll find in PC equipment (you can layer it for more dampening if needed), it has holes for ventilation, and it's cheap.
I'll look into that, thanks.

Would this kind of thing work, do you guys think?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Non-Stick-Rectangle-Orange-Silicone-Bakeware-Baking-Mat_W0QQitemZ270247393360QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 70247393360&_trkparms=72%3A12|39%3A1|65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Only concern with that is that it's none-stick. Would I still be able to glue it or whatever? :think:

[blueonblack]

I'd say the silicone baking mat would work, not sure how thick it is, might need more than one. As for gluing, silicone is made not to stick, but in my experience there is an adhesive for absolutely anything. :)
________
Honda Civic (Second Generation) (http://www.honda-wiki.org/wiki/Honda_Civic_(second_generation))

[Anarchist]

As for gluing, silicone is made not to stick, but in my experience there is an adhesive for absolutely anything. :)
Yeah you're probably right about that. :up:
Thanks alot, i'll do a little more research still. :think:
I'll try and think of something else that'll work. :D
If anybody has anymore ideas, i'll be glad to hear them! ;)

[ajmilton]

How about felt? Pretty cheap, pretty heat resistant, can cut it to fit. I know it's used in musical instruments all the time, so it can reduce a lot of vibration. I'm not sure what sort of glue you will find that's both heat resistant *and* easy to remove though :P

[SgtM]

Dr Scholls Moleskin.

http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/productSearch.do?method=doProductDetailsLookup&searchArg=67

[Acey]

I'm thinking of paper inset for the fan's base (unattached to the case itself) for Paperazzi, not sure if it'll work but will know soon

[Xtrykr]

Window/Crack sealant is good too, very cheap!

[nevermind1534]

You could use car/RV weatherstripping.

[DocNitrous]

adhesive + 1/4 inch thick rubber sheet cutted to appropriate size should provide you with an inexpensive solution.

Tac Mat would be better than dynamat, but its more expensive too...



EDIT : Two-way tape should do a fine job too. But have tought of heat dissipation problem if you cover heat producing device like a hard drive?

[nevermind1534]

It shouldn't really need anything for vibration dampening, if it's a good hard drive, that's secured properly in a well constructed case, but I guess, even then it sometimes still needs it.