The Official Blog of Polymer Technologies, Inc.

Acoustic & Thermal Solutions for Electric Marine Propulsion Systems

overhead view of a marine vessel with solar panels

Electric motors can reduce much of the noise associated with combustion-driven propulsion, but they do not completely eliminate acoustic or vibration challenges. Supporting equipment and motor mounts can still transmit vibration and noise through the vessel structure. For marine OEMs, that means the design challenge is changing. Engineers must manage the remaining noise and vibration … Read more Acoustic & Thermal Solutions for Electric Marine Propulsion Systems

Managing Heat and Noise in Electric Emergency Vehicles: Insulation Strategies for OEMs

A blurred ambulance races through the bustling streets of New York City, a beacon of hope and help in times of need.

The electrification of heavy-duty and emergency fleets is accelerating. Today’s Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are engineering electric fire trucks and ambulances that deliver instant torque, zero emissions, and the potential to power heavy life-saving equipment directly from the vehicle’s battery grid. However, removing the roar of a traditional diesel engine doesn’t mean the engineering challenges … Read more Managing Heat and Noise in Electric Emergency Vehicles: Insulation Strategies for OEMs

Acoustic & Thermal Solutions for Home Medical Devices

An individual uses an at-home oxygen concentrator to help them breathe properly.

The shift toward home-based healthcare has brought life-saving devices directly into patients’ bedrooms. However, bringing dynamic, clinical-grade equipment into a quiet residential setting presents unique engineering challenges. Design engineers must mitigate the disruptive noise, heat, and vibration inherent to motors and compressors, all while strictly adhering to rigorous safety standards. Here is a closer look … Read more Acoustic & Thermal Solutions for Home Medical Devices

Collaborative Foam Design with Medical OEMs: Case Studies in Acoustic & Thermal Optimization

Medical Device Individual portable oxygen cylinder to put gas for patients with respiratory disorders.

Medical devices are no longer confined to hospitals and clinical settings. As more therapies move into patients’ homes, manufacturers are rethinking how devices are designed for real-world environments. New equipment must deliver the same clinical performance in a much smaller footprint while operating quietly enough to avoid disrupting daily life or interfering with patient comfort. … Read more Collaborative Foam Design with Medical OEMs: Case Studies in Acoustic & Thermal Optimization

From Concept to Mold: Custom Polyurethane Foam for Industrial Equipment

Close-up of a powerful red combustion engine showing complex network of pipes and wires

In the world of industrial manufacturing, the difference between a good product and a market-leading one often comes down to energy management. In manufacturing, the challenges of noise, vibration, and heat are not just technical hurdles; they are variables that define the user experience and the longevity of the equipment. Too often, these challenges are … Read more From Concept to Mold: Custom Polyurethane Foam for Industrial Equipment

Solving Noise and Thermal Challenges for Outdoor Power Units

metal enclosure for a power generation unit on pavement

Many commercial generators are installed outdoors to reduce installation costs, simplify maintenance, improve regulatory compliance, and limit exposure to noise and exhaust. In remote locations and construction environments, outdoor placement is often the only practical option. While this approach offers some advantages, it also exposes generators to rain, snow, wind, and other environmental risk factors … Read more Solving Noise and Thermal Challenges for Outdoor Power Units

Cabin Comfort: Acoustic Foam Solutions for Urban Air Mobility

futuristic rendering of urban air mobility with EVTOL aircraft shown in flight

The promise of urban air mobility (UAM) extends well beyond drone deliveries and air cargo. Increasingly, it points toward a future where passengers can travel above congested streets in quiet, electric aircraft designed specifically for short urban routes. At the center of this vision are electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), which are powered … Read more Cabin Comfort: Acoustic Foam Solutions for Urban Air Mobility

[Video] How POLYFORM® Molded Foam Works

YouTube Video Player with POLYFORM® Video

If you’re an engineer working with blowers, compressors, or pumps, you’re already familiar with the struggle of managing noise, heat, and vibration. The traditional approach of layering flat insulation and isolation mounts often turns into a logistical headache. It requires stuffing multiple pieces into tight spaces, adding significant labor, time, and manufacturing costs to every … Read more [Video] How POLYFORM® Molded Foam Works

Lightweight Foam Solutions for Quieter Cabs in Electric Semi-Trucks

electric semi-truck charging up with trees and a city skyline in the background

The heavy trucking industry has long been driven by diesel, but electrification is slowly gaining ground. In the United States, adoption has been gradual but consistent, as there are now thousands on the road for city-to-city hauling and other applications. Policy initiatives such as the Clean Trucks Plan are accelerating consideration of electric fleets by … Read more Lightweight Foam Solutions for Quieter Cabs in Electric Semi-Trucks

Cab Noise Reduction in Tractors and Earth-Moving Machines

View of a field from inside the cab of a tractor.

As the heavy equipment industry moves towards operator-centric design, the internal environment of the cab has become a primary differentiator for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). For the operator spending ten to twelve hours a day behind the glass, the cab is more than a control center, it is an office. When that office is subject … Read more Cab Noise Reduction in Tractors and Earth-Moving Machines