2. Machine suspension engineering

2.1 Global approach and process

Since the various functions required of a machine suspension system often call on contradictory characteristics for the designer, it is important to precisely identify the constraints of the specific suspension project to be dealt with, giving all the latitude allowed for each of them! Conversely, it is essential to take into account all the machine's connections in the analysis – All too often, we still see well-suspended pumps that, in terms of vibration, are in fact held exclusively by the piping to which they are connected by so-called flexible hoses that are too stiff dynamically. This was certainly not the purpose of the suspension!

Table 2 summarizes the various...