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Sizing Industrial Shock Absorbers for
Mass Falling Freely

When a mass falls freely under the force of gravity, it can generate very high impact energy at the end of its travel, making correct industrial shock absorber selection critical. At Shockbuffer, we specialize in sizing of shock absorbers for these challenging applications to protect machinery and reduce the risk of damage or downtime. Our medium industrial shock absorbers are specifically engineered to handle the kinetic energy of falling objects, delivering smooth and controlled deceleration. The right shock absorber for machinery ensures equipment safety, reduces noise, and extends operational life.

Formulae

E1 = W · g · h

E2 = W · g · s

E3 = E1 + E2

E4 = E3 · c

vD = √(2 · g · h)

We = (2 · E3) / vD

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Example: ​Sizing Industrial Shock Absorbers for Mass Falling Freely

W = 50 kg

h = 0.5 m

c = 100 /hr

s = 0.050 m

E1 = 50 · 0.5 · 9.81 = 245.3 Nm

E2 = 50 · 9.81 · 0.05 = 23.8 Nm

E3 = 245.3 + 23.8 = 269 Nm

E4 = 269 · 100 = 26900 Nm/hr

vD = √(2 · 9.81 · 0.5) = 3.13 m/s

We = (2 · 270) / 3.13  = 55 kg

Mass Falling Freely

Model choosen - SBN-M33x1.5S50H2

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Applications of Industrial Shock Absorbers

 

Typical shock absorber applications in this category include:

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  • Vertically falling machine parts or tools guided along rails

  • Drop testers or impact testers used in product quality testing

  • Free-falling pallets or containers on vertical conveyors or lifts

  • Gravity-fed part feeders where components drop into fixtures

  • Safety stops for suspended loads released in emergency situations

  • Sliding weights in calibration or testing rigs that drop to create force

 

In each case, a medium industrial shock absorber must be correctly sized to absorb the full kinetic energy of the falling mass, ensuring smooth stops and protecting critical components from damage.

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