Punch press vibration isolation: a case history

This paper reports the case history of the vibration isolation of a heavy punch press used to stamp metal sheets. The design of the isolation system was based on the requirement that the press should operate between 0 and 500 counts per minute (cpm) with a maximum displacement amplitude of 2 mm. Initially, a high natural frequency isolation system was proposed by the isolator supplier. It followed a nuisance due to high harmonic components produced by the punching operation of the press. The solution to this engineering problem results from an unusual application of classical isolation techniques.