Rethinking suspension
The advantages of oscillating mounts in vibrating equipment
By Oli Vibrators
In mining and bulk materials handling, vibration is fundamental to the performance of equipment such as screens, feeders, dryers and compaction tables. While the vibrating mechanism itself receives much of the attention, the suspension system supporting that equipment is equally important.
Traditionally, rubber elements and steel coil springs have been widely used to suspend vibrating equipment. Both have their place and remain proven solutions across many applications. However, there are situations where an alternative suspension technology can deliver significant benefits. This is where OLI OWC Oscillating Mounts provide an interesting option for equipment designers and operators.
Developed specifically for vibrating machinery, OWC oscillating mounts use a specialised torsional elastic element and kinematic mechanism to control the movement of the machine while providing effective isolation from the supporting structure. The OWC range is available in both standard OWSNE and heavy-duty OWSHD configurations, covering applications including vibrating screens, feeders, dryers and compaction tables.
One of the key advantages of the OWC design is its very low natural frequency, close to 2Hz, which enables isolation levels of greater than 98%, even at minimum excitation frequencies. The result is a highly effective means of separating the dynamic forces generated by the vibrating machine from the supporting structure. OWC mounts also operate at particularly low noise levels and can be operated close to resonance where the application requires it.
For mining applications, durability and reduced maintenance are equally important. OWC oscillating mounts are designed to withstand pulse feeding and are maintenance-free, with an operating temperature range from -40°C to +80°C. Unlike conventional spring systems, there are also no coils to corrode or break, while the compact design provides engineers with another option when space and machine configuration are considerations.
Another significant feature is the mount’s directional stiffness. The central torsional elastic insert provides cross stiffness about 10 times greater than longitudinal stiffness, helping maintain controlled movement in the direction of product flow. This can improve process efficiency and safety while potentially eliminating the need for additional side guides or movement-control devices during machine shutdown.
The message is not that oscillating mounts should replace every rubber or steel spring installation. Rather, OWC provides equipment designers with another engineered suspension solution — one that can be particularly attractive where high isolation, controlled movement, low maintenance and demanding operating conditions are important.
As mining equipment continues to evolve, so too should the technologies supporting it. Sometimes improving the performance of a vibrating machine does not mean changing the vibrator — it means looking at what the machine is standing on.