Many researchers and experts consider noise to be one of the biggest environmental problems we face today. Alarming reports show that an increasing number of people are being injured by noise. This has resulted in stricter laws and regulations in recent years. Unfortunately however, many are still unaware of the risks exposure to noise entails.
People often think that noise is a natural part of the manufacturing industry and that it is something you get used to. But in truth you don’t get used to noise – noise injures, and the damage is permanent.
Using silencers
The noise generated by pneumatic valves is far more dangerous than is generally believed. In fact, 70-80% of all hearing impairment within the manufacturing industry is caused by compressed air noise. However, to a great extent this noise is totally unnecessary; for with the right technology, compressed air noise can, in practice, be eliminated entirely. Fitting the exhaust ports of pneumatic valves with silencers is a simple measure to take, and the advantages are many and well-documented:
- Reduced risk of hearing problems such as tinnitus,
hearing loss, echoing and hypersensitivity to sound
- Better working environment
- Improved performance
Clogging
A well-known problem with conventional silencers is that, sooner or later, the filter - the diffuser - becomes clogged with impurities and causes:
- Costly machine stoppage
- Operational disturbance that is difficult to pinpoint
- Risk of explosion
This has resulted in many production technicians removing silencers to avoid problems of this sort. Quite simply, the advantages of noise abatement have had to take a back seat to the practical problem of clogging.
Warning indicators offer a solution
Years of research have enabled Silvent to develop a new, unique and patented series of safety silencers with built-in warning indicators. Basically, the design allows the silencer itself to determine and set the optimal combination of flow capacity and noise reduction through the use of a dynamic inner diffuser. A reliable warning system also indicates that the silencer is about to clog. Using safety silencers of this type means that you:
- Minimize costly machine stoppage
- Receive a warning before problems arise
- Reduce the risk of industrial accidents
- Allow prioritization of noise control measures