A mechanical cushion, often made of polyurethane, rubber, or a spring mechanism, installed at the end of a travel path. It dissipates kinetic energy when a moving mass reaches its limit, protecting the primary structure from shock loads. Buffers are critical on cranes, railcars, and heavy sliding doors.
Heard on the job
The gantry crane slammed into the end stops hard enough to shear the mounting bolts on the rubber buffer.
Also heard as
- bumper
- bump stop