They are primarily used in devices such as laptops, keyboards, routers, CPUs, speakers, telephones, etc. We call them feet when used underneath, but they are also known as rubber bumpers, pads, isolation, and spacers, depending on the location and shape.
Functions of Rubber Feet or Bumpers
A rubber foot or bumper has different functionality in electronic devices. It can work as an anti-skid, anti-vibration, or spacer for electronics. We have briefly explained the details of the different functions below.
Skidding Resistance
The primary intent for adding rubber feet beneath a device is to provide frictional resistance to prevent sliding on a surface. The contact area of the rubber feet is more important when designing a rubber foot for skid resistance. Most adhesive bumpers you may come across are usually cylindrical or hemispherical. However, elongated ones may also be used in electronics to help them stick to a particular direction.
Vibration Damping
Electronics with moving parts in them can be subjected to excessive vibration. It is also an issue for electronic equipment producing loud sounds. The vibration can displace a device from its place or damage the internal components inside a device due to shaking as it can utilize rubber bumpers to restrict their motion. The bumpers act as a medium to absorb the vibration and enhance the durability of electronic equipment.
Increase Elevation
Rubber bumpers serve as excellent spacers for electronics as well. They can be installed underneath to promote airflow ensuring better heat dissipation in electronic equipment. Also, it helps prevent the accumulation of moisture. Moreover, the spacing can also protect your electronic equipment from accidental spills.
Shock Protection
Some Electronics also utilize rubber components to protect internal parts in electronics. This is mostly seen in parts that are moved around often. Providing rubber bumpers at the edges and other crucial locations protects the device from fall damage.
Rubber bumpers may serve multiple functions for a single electronic device. Let’s have a look at the application of rubber bumpers in some electronics.
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Laptop
Rubber bumpers are a must-have for any laptop. Most laptops you come across will likely have adhesive rubber feet installed by default. They prevent it from skidding on the surface when using it. It would save both the device’s bottom and tabletop from scratches. Moreover, the rubber feet serve as spacers to allow airflow under the laptop. Otherwise, it would overheat and run into performance issues.
The bumper pads used in laptops also serve an aesthetic purpose, sometimes by hiding the screws underneath. If your computer doesn’t come with any bumpers or you have lost a few, you can easily stick to self-adhesive bumpers by yourself.
Keyboards
Ever had a look at the bottom of your keyboard? If you had, you probably saw some rubberized components at the bottom or a pair of foldable extensions known as keyboard feet. It allows you to adjust the keyboard’s inclination to get a smooth typing experience.
The keyboard feet are usually made of plastic but often have adhesive rubber pads attached to develop friction on smooth or glass surfaces. However, some slim keyboards may not have any foldable feet and only have adhesive bumpers at the bottom.
Soundbox
Speakers or subwoofers utilize comparatively larger rubber bumpers/feet than most other electronics. We know that sound is generated from vibration. The vibration can damage the internals and cause the soundbox to shift from its place when it is operating.
The rubber isolation feet absorb the vibration providing protection to the internal component and creating resistance to skidding to keep it within its place. Some portable speakers also come with rubber bumpers at the edges to protect them from shock.
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Server Racks
A network or server rack is standard office equipment comprising a bus, hub, bridge, router, etc., and electronics. They are usually stacked on top of each other to save space. However, that would leave no room for air ventilation and damage the enclosure surface when moving them around. Adding rubber feet or bumper can mitigate the aforementioned issues if they do not have any rubber feet or bumper.
CPU
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the heart of desktop computers. It houses numerous delicate components that are essential for running computers. Rubber bumper is often used as spacers to keep the internal components from touching each other, resulting in a short circuit.
Computer CPUs can be pretty heavy as well. The casing usually has push-type or screwed feet, which are much sturdier than conventional adhesive bumpers. The rubber bumper improves airflow underneath, ensuring better heat management and providing protection from spills.
Telephone
We can be a little aggressive with telephones sometimes. I wouldn’t be surprised if your land phone decides to take a dive off the table when you are walking around talking on the phone. Well, luckily, we have rubber pads to the rescue. It helps landline phones stick to the surface preventing crashes.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, rubber feet have gained widespread adoption in the electronic industry due to their exceptional properties and their ability to effectively support and protect electronic devices.
The versatility and reliability of rubber feet, along with their cost-effectiveness, make them an excellent choice for both manufacturers and consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get rubber feet for electronics?
You should be able to find them on popular e-commerce sites such as Amazon or Aliexpress. It would be a good option for retail customers purchasing replacement rubber pads or feet. For corporate customers, it would be better to buy rubber feet in wholesale quantity directly from suppliers. It will be much more economical as the production cost is lower for a larger volume, and shipping is also more convenient.
If you wish to ship bulk rubber products for your company, Hongju could be an excellent choice. We are a reliable Chinese supplier specializing in silicon and rubber product manufacturing.
How can I replace stock rubber feet on Electronics?
Most portable electronics, such as laptops, keyboards, calculators, etc., use adhesive rubber feet or bumper pads at the bottom. The adhesive on the bumper’s pads can lose grip over time, especially on electronics that run hot, like laptops. So, what if you were to lose some? You can find replacement bumpers or feet for your electronics on the market.
However, you may not find the bumper you are looking for if it has an unconventional form factor. In that case, you may need to create feet or bumpers of customized dimensions from a machine shop.
What types of rubber feet are available for electronics?
There are different types of rubber feet available for electronics. However, electronic devices mostly use self-adhesive bumpers or feet. You can also find push-in bumpers on some devices as well. Large and heavy electronic equipment uses bumpers that can be screwed to the casing.
Hongju manufactures all sorts of rubber pads, feet, and bumpers for electronics using advanced manufacturing processes. We ensure fast production and safe shipping worldwide. If you are an enterprise customer and need rubber feet for your company, don’t hesitate to give us a knock.
Can you supply custom-made rubber feet for electronics?
Yes, Hongju can provide customized shapes of rubber pads, feet, or bumpers according to your needs. You can order prototypes and test them to find a perfect fit for your device. However, custom-made pads or feet will come with an additional tooling cost.
Is there any MOQ for ordering rubber bumpers from suppliers?
Suppliers mainly deal with bulk orders and have a Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ). manufacturers usually only accept hefty charges and may not be interested in smaller quantities.
However, Hongju is dedicated to customer satisfaction and manufactures to your needs. You do not have to worry about making a lot of inventory with us. However, if your electronics require bumper pads of customized dimensions or unique materials, we may require an MOQ.
How do I ship rubber components for electronics to my country?
Shipping cost is one of the biggest reasons for not wanting to ship products abroad. The price is usually subjective to the product’s weight. We would recommend getting your rubber products from a Chinese supplier. Shipping from China should be convenient for your company due to their easy trade policies.
