Reduction of Impact Noise at the Design Stage: A Specific Case Study

Abstract

A case study is made on the tack driving assembly of a boot and shoe lasting machine, and relates to the impact noise occurring during part of the machine cycle. Much of the noise is radiated due to vibrations at several frequencies of the tack driver lifting lever, which is excited by the direct application of impacts during the tack driving process. An experimental approach in applying noise reduction principles to various components of the assembly has been preferred to a more complex theoretical treatment, since the identification of the mechanism of impact noise generation and its subsequent abatement is directly relevant to most machine designers faced with the possibility of impact noise problems in other types of machinery. Small design changes, based on the knowledge gained from the experimental investigations, have resulted in noise reductions from 10 to 14 dB being achieved.