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Noise—whether
continuous or intermittent—is unpleasant, reduces
productivity, and may even promote hearing loss. In addition,
meeting OSHA, MESA, and other state and federal legislative
requirements
mandates that manufacturers incorporate effective noise suppression
on equipment, such as by adding pneumatic tool mufflers.
Metal Textiles knitted wire mesh combines
all three basic approaches to sound attenuation by acting as a reflective barrier,
vibration
damper, and sound absorber. This three-in-one combination makes it ideal for pneumatic tool mufflers and other general noise suppression applications. It
is cost effective and is easier to design with reduced
space requirements. It can be incorporated into existing products
without changing their design specifications or manufacturing.
Due
to its basic structure, knitted wire mesh provides exceptionally efficient
absorption of high-energy sound. Beyond acting
as a physical barrier, mesh also causes sound to vibrate
as it imparts the wire surface, thereby converting sound
to thermal energy, effectively dampening, absorbing, and
dissipating equipment and plant-generated noise through
an intricate path between a sound source and the ear.
| Basically, there are four ways to achieve noise reduction: |
- Add a physical sound barrier
- Install a vibration damper
- Provide sound absorption
- Metering the air flow
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Only knitted wire mesh functions as all four of these
types of noise reducers—economically and as a single-composite
material.
Unlike metal baffle plates—which usually
involve costly welded construction and added weight—knitted wire mesh
noise-suppression solutions are light in weight and economical. Metal baffles
can also slow the passage of air—in some cases resulting in reduced equipment
operating efficiency due to generation of excessive back pressure. Porous materials
such as foamed plastics and synthetic felts are highly susceptible to degradation
at elevated temperatures—leading to eventual embrittlement and decomposition.
Knitted metals can be custom tailored
to specific needs of a given application. Engineered products can be fabricated
by knitting one or a combination of widely diverse materials, such
as all types of stainless steel, aluminum, copper, sophisticated alloys, synthetic
polymers, fibers, and yarns.
Knitted wire mesh has the ability to absorb high-energy
sound. When this sound energy hits a mesh element, the sound energy is absorbed
into the wire structure making the wire vibrate and thus absorbing harmful
sound energy. In fact, the open space in a mesh part can be controlled within
a range
of 30% to 97%. These two features are extremely important in noise reduction,
since the extent of surface area and air flow resistance are both critical
factors. |
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| BENEFITS |
- Lightweight—especially as compared with
metal baffling
- Easy to install
- Adaptable to a wide range of design configurations
- Resistant to high
temperatures, cryogenics and corrosion
- Wide range of material selections
- Low pressure-drop to noise-reduction ratio
- Adaptable to a wide range of design configurations, including compressed
units, wound units, and drawn and calendared.
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APPLICATIONS
The superior noise-suppression characteristics of Metal Textiles knitted wire mesh provide
greater performance in a wide range of applications, including: |
- Mufflers for Automotive, Marine, Recreation
Vehicles and Small Gasoline Engine-Powered Equipment
- Pneumatic tool mufflers, including pneumatic drills, industrial
staplers, compressors, air motors and starters, cylinders,
valves and hoists
- Blankets and Curtains for Machine or Equipment
Isolation, Internal Combustion Engines and Mining equipment.
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| Of equal importance to the dramatic noise level reduction
achieved with Metal Textiles knitted wire mesh in these applications
is the fact that not only are the operating speed
losses minimal, but the operating efficiencies are not significantly
reduced. |
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