Rubber Buffers
Rubber buffers
are a type of
anti vibration
mountings that eliminate vibration, impact, shock and noise in
machineries. These rubber buffers available in various shapes and sizes with
stud or plate fixings, are widely used in cranes, moving machinery, end
stops on structures, railways, automobiles and other engineering devices
that have moving parts. Due to increasing change in modern production
methods, there are constant demand for increasing working speeds and for
ergonomic working environment. This has led to greater demands on existing
buffer systems. A wide range of popular sizes, thicknesses and widths of
rubber buffers are available to suit most applications.
What are Rubber Buffers?
Buffers, popularly made of different
varieties of rubber, are types of any device, material, or apparatus which
are used as a shield, cushion, or bumper, especially on mobile machinery,
cranes, trolleys, transfer vehicles etc. They are designed basically to
ensure very low impact shock to structures. Rubber buffers are considered a
useful safety aid with many uses like protecting vulnerable corners.
Uses of Rubber Buffers
Rubber buffers are generally used in
industry, electric and auto appliance. Mostly used as protective and as anti
vibration accessory, rubber buffers have many other uses too. These rubber
buffers are used for:
- Energy absorption
- Travel limitation
- Elastic installation
- Soundproofing
- Damping isolation
Why is Rubber the Preferred Material for Making Buffers?
Rubber is
not only a chemical substance, but also a compound of many different
materials. The different mechanical and anti-corrosive properties in any
type of rubber can only be achieved by mixing several substances. There are
certain characteristics of rubber which make them suitable for making
buffers. these are as follows:
- All rubbers- whether natural rubber or the various
types of synthetic rubbers-
are characterized by very high elasticity and tensile strength.
- They have high impact resistance.
- They also have good abrasive resistance.
- Some elastomers also have highest mechanical and dynamic load
capacities.
Types of Rubber Buffers
There are many types of rubber buffers
mostly categorized on the basis of such factors as base plate size, rubber
thickness, mid-diameter for fastening or fixture, rubber contact area etc.
When talking about the application- either use or style of using rubber
buffers, they can be divided into the following types.
Wall Buffers
Rubber Wall Buffers
Solid rubber
buffers are designed to be easily and securely fixed to walls. They can wrap
around steel, absorbing impact and reduce damage to property. These wall
buffers are designed to absorb impact damage in service areas, loading bays,
and car parks.
Rubber Buffer Pads
Rubber Buffer Pad
While a rubber
buffer is a single unit, a rubber buffer pad has a sheet type structure and
has raised buffer pads. They are used for various purposes. These rubber
buffer pads are generally used on the base of glass being placed on top of a
surface. They are also found on bedroom and kitchen doors to protect and to
reduce noise when closing. They are also used for various impact and
abrasion application in several industries. Rubber buffer pads come in a
variety of diameters- ranging from 10mm diameter to 12mm diameter to even
20mm x 20mm square shape. Most of the rubber buffer manufacturers make self
adhesive buffer pads.
Door Rubber Buffer
Door Rubber Buffer
The door buffers
are used in doors and cabinets etc. where they can act like door stops. They
can be used to half coverd or full coverder spring hinges wooden Doors,
aluminum doors (cabinet doors) etc.
Types of Rubber Buffers used in Trolleys
Among many products,
rubber buffers find wide applications in the making of trolleys. The various
types of rubber buffers used in trolleys are mentioned below.
'D' Section (Hollow) Rubber Buffer

This type of rubber buffer is usually placed around the edges of a trolley
to prevent damage to door jambs, etc. It is actually a
rubber strip fitted by
pushing a metal strip along the center of the section and screwing through
into the side of the trolley.
Round PU Rubber Buffer

This type of rubber buffer is used to prevent damage to corridor walls. The
rubber buffers are placed onto tubular legs just before the castors or
wheels. When a trolley approaches a wall the buffers come in contact with
the wall first and freely revolve on the tubing, thus rolling the trolley
along the wall so as to prevent any damage.
Corner Buffers

These types of rubber buffers are fitted to new or existing trolleys with
square corners. They are used to stop much of the damage to walls, door
jambs, etc. The end profile of such corner rubber buffers are usually
matched to the 'D' section rubber strip.