A pile driver cushion is a component used in construction for pile driving operations. It's a cushioning device positioned between the pile and the pile-driving hammer to absorb shock and prevent damage to both the pile and the hammer during the driving process.
The cushion typically consists of materials like wood, metal, or plastic designed to absorb and distribute the impact force generated by the hammer. Its primary purpose is to protect the structural integrity of the pile being driven and to ensure that the force is transmitted efficiently without causing excessive stress or deformation to either the pile or the hammer.
Also referred to as Hammer Cushions, Pile Cushions, Cushion Blocks, Pile Hammer Cushion Pads and Buffer Pads.
Efficient – when the plastic is formulated from the right resins, together with the appropriate additives, the resultant properties provide good load transmission for efficient and productive driving, together with good shock absorption.
Low Noise – particularly compared to aluminum cushions, plastics are quieter, and therefore can be used continuously in built up areas.
Heat Resistant – Sustamid has been formulated to resist heat heating but the temperatures generated by high frequency hammer “blows”.
Light Weight – This aids handling and transport
Durable & resilient – Sustamid cushions are durable and resistant to wear, making them suitable for repeated use.
Dotmar has qualified engineers that can provide direct support with plastic Pile Driver Cushion sizing and configuration, which is based off decades of experience in the manufacturing of materials and designs.
The latest technology in materials that provide unsurpassed all-round performance.
Phenolic
An earlier synthetic material, that has high strength, but moderate shock absorption.
Aluminium
Designed for very hard rock piling but is noisy resulting in time restrictions in built up areas.
Wood
Seldom used in modern hammers due to lack of durability, costly, overheats and burns, with poor force transmission.
Material selection is a critical consideration when choosing a material for Pile Driver Cushions, as it directly impacts the performance, durability, and safety. Here are some key material selection considerations for pile driver cushions:
Force Transmission
Having the right combination of strength and toughness is required to achieve efficient and productive piling, without damaging the pile.
Noise
Especially significant in built up areas, minimizing the noise generated by constant and frequent blows is imperative to comply with noise restrictions.
Temperature
Constant and frequent hammering for efficient and productive piling will generate heat. The right material selection will minimize the heat generated (wasted energy) and also resist heat aging degradation.
Fire Retardant
Heat generation can result in some material spontaneously igniting, which will be damaging to equipment and be a safety hazard.
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