Noise control needn't cost the earth
An
Industrial Noise and Vibration Centre product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Nov 7, 2007
Many noise control measures can be justified simply on the basis of the productivity gains, with the lower noise levels as an additional bonus.
"Self-financing noise control" might sound like an oxymoron, unless you are familiar with some of the innovative new technology and materials that are available.
These often make it possible to meet the mandatory requirement to reduce noise levels while, at the same time, cutting costs and improving productivity.
Remarkably, many INVC developed noise control measures can be justified simply on the basis of the productivity gains with the lower noise levels as an additional bonus.
The key to making noise control self-financing is to apply engineering expertise to reduce the noise at source instead of attempting to smother the sound (and the plant) with enclosures, guards and silencers.
These conventional palliatives are high in cost and also have a significant impact on productivity and efficiency.
In contrast, the engineering approach not only reduces capital costs by 50-80%, but it can also reduce maintenance requirements and substantially improve the efficiency of the plant.
Moreover, there will often be additional cost savings (GBP 70-220 per head per annum) where PPE and audiometry are no longer required as well as the benefits of improved working conditions.
Recent examples have included: a 20% fall in dryer running costs and 12dB lower noise levels that eliminated the need for PPE; 30-40% reductions in cycle times for both moulding and machining operations and 15dB less noise; doubling the throughput of vibratory feeders (22dB quieter); and, for food industry enrober vibrators, the 10dB noise reduction was accompanied by a 10% fall in chocolate coating thickness saving a six-figure sum annually.
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