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

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

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

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.