Traditional mitigation strategies
for securing electronics cabinets and other equipment have
run the gamut from the failed “do-nothing” or
just “let-it-roll” philosophy, to bolting, cross-bracing,
or structural stiffening of cabinet frames.
While these methods may work to keep the equipment
or cabinet frame upright, they actually increase the likelihood
of system failure as they provide a direct pathway for damaging
shock and vibrations to travel. The more rigid the connection,
the more likely there will be damage to drive heads, optical
lasers, and other sensitive componentry.
Shock and vibrations sent into and contained within stiffened frame
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Stresses on cabinet frame, and travel of shock and
vibrations
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Reaction of an unbolted cabinet to seismic ground
motion
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The Innovative Seismic Mitigation
Solution
This drawing illustrates the use of a dual-platform
base-isolation system. The bottom platform moves with ground
motion, thereby minimizing the transfer of shock and vibration
into the frame. The bearing acts as a “white-noise”
filter, isolating the top platform from damaging vibrations.
This allows equipment to continue to operate right on through
seismic activity.
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