Technologies:  Active Vs. Passive Control
Active Control or Passive Control, which should I consider?  The decision to use active or passive controls is not a simple one in many instances.  Vibration-X, inc. provides this section to provide you with basics to assist you in making the correct decision.
Active Controls Passive Controls

  Higher vibration reduction at
      target frequency.

   No need for power input

   Very specific controllability

  Less effective than active
      controls

   More expensive

  More forgiving than active
 

 
Design Guidelines for an Active Vibration Control System
Single Mode Cheaper Controls and Actuators
Equally Spaced Modes Simpler Controls and less Unstability

Relatively Fixed Modes

 No need to track mode with expensive software
Low Frequency Range Electronics are inexpensive if desired control is below
500 Hz
Heavy passive ( viscoelastic ) materials are required for low frequency ( lower the frequency the higher the mass of the damper )
Lightweight Structure to Control Can use piezoelectric stacks if high forces are required

You achieve best results if all
the conditions are met, then
an active vibration control
solution may be cost effevtive,
even compared to a visoelastic treatment.
 

Vibration-X, Inc
2 Eaton Court
Winchester, MA
01890

Phone: 781 729-2892
Fax:     781 729-1195