What's a Tapping Machine?

 
Tapping-Machine-for-E1007-IIC-test-640x346.jpg

The new Tapping Machine is here!  The new tapping machine is here! Okay, maybe you're not an Acoustic Engineer and not as excited as I am, but just look at this beauty in action.

What is a tapping machine?  It's only purpose in the world is to measure the Impact Insulation Class (IIC) of a floor-ceiling.  The IIC is a measure of how much you hear someone walking around in the condominium or apartment above you.  The machine bangs on the floor by dropping five metal "hammers" over and over again.  If you look close you can see the hammers dropping under the machine.

The weight of the hammers, the hammer spacing, the height from which they are dropped, and the time between impacts are all defined in ASTM Standards E492 and E1007, and ISO Standard 140-6.  ASTM E1007 is the Standard Test Method for Field Measurement of Tapping Machine Impact Sound Transmission Through Floor-Ceiling Assemblies and Associated Support Structures.  This is the standard we use to do field tests in apartments, condos, and other buildings.

Now don't you wish you had a tapping machine?

 
Acoustic Testing, Acoustics, Architectural Acoustics, Sound IsolationJeff Kwolkoskiacoustic equipment, IIC Impact Insulation Class, IIC Testing