Heavy machinery noise reduction

Reducing noise from heavy industrial machinery

Heavy machinery noise is a persistent challenge in industrial and resources environments. Crushers, excavators, compressors, pumps and processing equipment operate at high levels for extended periods, affecting worker noise exposure, neighbouring properties and operational compliance.

Flexshield designs and manufactures acoustic products for heavy machinery applications: from purpose-built enclosures for specific equipment to flexible curtains and barriers for work zones and maintenance areas.

Starting with the right approach

Reducing noise from heavy machinery starts with identifying the dominant noise sources and the most affected receivers. The approach differs depending on whether the priority is reducing worker noise exposure, managing boundary noise levels, or both.

For machines that can be enclosed, acoustic enclosures are generally the most effective option. For processes or work zones where enclosure is not practical, acoustic barriers and curtains provide attenuation on the noise path between source and receiver. In many facilities, a combination of source treatment and path treatment achieves the best overall result.

Common heavy machinery noise sources

Crushers and screens, excavators and mobile plant, compressors and air systems, pumps and drives, processing and handling equipment, fabrication machinery, and maintenance and workshop equipment are the most consistent contributors across industrial and resources environments.

Acoustic products for heavy machinery

Sonic acoustic enclosures: Custom acoustic enclosures for specific machinery and plant. Flexshield designs enclosures with ventilation, access provisions and the panel specifications required to meet the noise reduction target. Suitable for stationary plant including compressors, pumps, crushers and processing equipment.

Sonic acoustic barriers and noise walls: Modular acoustic barriers and noise walls provide attenuation on the path between heavy machinery and sensitive receivers. Products can be configured to height and finished for outdoor exposure. Suited to both temporary and permanent installations.

Sonic acoustic curtains: For workshops and maintenance areas, heavy-duty acoustic curtains provide flexible noise separation around specific operations. Curtains can be repositioned as work changes and are suited to environments where fixed partitions are not practical.

Exhaust silencers: Engines and diesel-driven equipment on heavy machinery operations generate exhaust noise that requires specific silencer treatment. Flexshield manufactures exhaust silencers for diesel engines across a range of sizes and configurations.