The Official Blog of Polymer Technologies, Inc.

Noise and vibration

Taming Engine Noise in Boats and Personal Watercraft with Custom Molded Foam

Man operating personal watercraft in the open water.

Recreational boats and personal watercraft are designed to deliver excitement on the water, but the engines that power them often create a different experience: excess noise, vibration, and heat. For OEMs of marine and recreational equipment, managing these factors is essential to improving user comfort and maintaining product reliability.  Custom molded polyurethane foam provides an … Read more Taming Engine Noise in Boats and Personal Watercraft with Custom Molded Foam

Enhancing ATV Performance with Molded Rubber and Foam Solutions

Orange ATV vehicle driving through mud and standing water.

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are built to handle rugged terrain and the most demanding environments while maintaining high performance. However, these harsh conditions can create tough challenges for engineers to address as they look for ways to meet rider needs and improve overall performance. Extreme heat, constant vibrations, heavy impacts, and excessive noise are among the … Read more Enhancing ATV Performance with Molded Rubber and Foam Solutions

Why ATV Manufacturers Should Partner with Polymer

Two ATVs move through rough terrain surrounded by trees.

ATV manufacturers are in a league of their own when creating vehicles. Sure, there are similarities between the ATV industry and other big machinery, but on a smaller scale. To understand the needs within the ATV market, foam and rubber manufacturers must know the whole industry inside and out. Luckily, Polymer Technologies has been in … Read more Why ATV Manufacturers Should Partner with Polymer

ATVs and Off-Road Vehicles: Thermal and Acoustical Solution

Three ATV vehicles parked on a hill outside.

ATVs and Off-Road Vehicles are beloved options for adventure enthusiasts. This means that the companies building the best need their vehicles to have peak performance. From noise to heat control, our customers are looking for solutions that put their options at the forefront of ATV and off-road design. Polymer Technologies has worked tirelessly to ensure … Read more ATVs and Off-Road Vehicles: Thermal and Acoustical Solution

Cost-Effective Noise and Vibration Solutions for Construction Equipment

Solutions for operator cabs

In the bustling world of construction, noise and vibration are more than just annoyances—they’re critical challenges that can impact equipment longevity, operator health, and overall productivity. Studies show that excessive sound can lead to noise-included hearing loss, while constant vibration can cause long-term musculoskeletal issues. These problems not only affect the well-being of operators but … Read more Cost-Effective Noise and Vibration Solutions for Construction Equipment

Effectiveness of Barriers and When Performance is Limited

A square piece of barrier foam

Almost every industrial equipment business has used acoustic barriers in some way. The primary purpose of these barriers is to block airborne noise from traveling through a surface to the environment on the other side of the surface. A prime example of a barrier is the floor mats found in the cabs of large trucks. … Read more Effectiveness of Barriers and When Performance is Limited

How to Design and Develop a 3D Molded Foam Solution

Develop a 3D Molded Foam

Developing a new product on the cutting edge requires innovative thinking. Original equipment manufacturers are continually trying to break the mold with their new product designs, but sometimes the end product doesn’t work as intended. Usually, manufacturers use flat foam barriers, foam absorbers, and damping pads to control temperature, noise, and heat emitted from machinery … Read more How to Design and Develop a 3D Molded Foam Solution

Damping Techniques for Noise and Vibration Control

Spring

Damping is one of the most effective methods of controlling noise and vibration. It is a process that converts vibrational energy into heat, eliminating the vibrational energy through friction and other processes. Increasing damping or stiffness can both reduce resonant vibration and the resulting noise by preventing the vibration from travelling through the structure. Rubber … Read more Damping Techniques for Noise and Vibration Control

Vibration Concerns in Commercial Device Manufacturing

Sound Wave

Noise and vibration production is a major problem encountered by companies that utilize appliances in their workspaces. Appliances that produce significant vibrations can include any and all products with mechanical parts—generators, kitchen appliances like blenders, offices appliances like printers, and so on. Vibration is distracting, uncomfortable, and in some cases, unsafe for workers. It is … Read more Vibration Concerns in Commercial Device Manufacturing