vibration absorbtion and ballast

[dmorton]

Ive read in a couple of places where a synthetic granite is used to make gantries and beds for cnc machines, because the weight and stiffness help reduce vibrations.

I find myself wondering if using oversize aluminum extrusions (such as the 80x80mm and 100x100mm types) and filling them with water would help with reducing vibrations.

Using a mix of water and soft plastic beads (pe, hdpe, pp) might result in a liquid with substantial vibration absorption capabilities.

The other idea is to include a hollow region in the base of my moving-bed gantry that can hold a water bladder. The elastic nature of the bladder would absorb vibrations well.

Been wondering about these things because i am trying to build a machine that is portable - it should be lightweight and easily disassembled.