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Airsoft Research Syndicate Sorbo Pads

OptimusPrime

Ogre led us to a posting at the Filairsoft by D3nc10, and we've been trying to google for more information about this, but results are not showing up. This is a simple but interesting development, Airsoft Research Syndicate (ARS)  finally made Sorbothane applicable for airsoft. Sorbothane, which was introduced in 1982, is a synthetic viscoelastic urethane polymer which is in use in many industrial applications for shock absorption. It's also in use for NASA, shoes and washing machines.

 

It's just a wonder why this technology has just been given attention by airsoft developers, when it has been available all along for over a quarter of a century. Nevertheless, it's here now and something that can be used to lower costs in upgrades, especially in using high performance springs. So here's D3nc10 posting:

 

The greatest of all shock absorbers... one pad that rules them all!

 


"SORBOTHANE, a proprietary visco-elastic polymer material that exhibits properties of both liquids (viscous solutions) and solids (elastic materials). It is polyether-based, polyurethane material or a combination of the properties of rubber, silicone, and polymers. It can absorb shock, and isolate vibration from an unusual high amount of energy from a spring. While many materials exhibit one of these characteristics, Sorbothane combines all of them in a stable material with a long fatigue life." - ARS(Japan)

 

 

Japanese engineers designed the SORBO pads that were used specifically for Airsoft, and wasn't really known until a few airsoft enthusiasts tried to test and proved the benefits of the "small wonder"... the result was exceptional. The SORBO pad has proven its worth. Its damping characteristics and cheap price can be a substitute for the silent piston heads (for the "silent operators"), and it eliminates the need for reinforced gearboxes when using High rated springs.

 

 

A sound test by Matt Lawson reveals the properties of SORBO at work..

 

 

"To measure performance I used the Audacity audio recording program and a boom microphone. To compare the performance difference I recorded the sound of my AEG before installation. Being careful not to confound the results, I left the microphone in the same place from the initial recording and placed the AEG where I could easily replace once the installation was complete. Now since I do not have a video camera, I could not leave a microphone out in the yard to record the noise coming from the front of the AEG. This would simulate the noise heard by a target player. My recordings are from the left side of my AEG and are taken from within 24” of the gearbox... The performance of the sorbo pad was effective. I noticed a deeper tone in the piston head on cylinder head impact."

 

Actual product label, Manufactured by ARS - Airsoft Research Syndicate.

 

 

Note: Laylax(Japan) also manufactures SORBO replacement pads.

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