Elastomeric compression spring with load tuning feature and associated method of tuning

A method of tuning an elastomeric compression spring, the method comprising:

• providing an elastomeric compression spring for isolating vibrations between a first part and a second part, wherein the first part is movable in a direction relative to the second part, the elastomeric compression spring comprising:
• a tube elongated along a central axis of the tube, wherein:
• the central axis of the tube is perpendicular to the direction;
• the tube is configured to compress in the direction;
• the tube comprises an outer surface comprising an initial contact line configured to initially receive contact from the first part;
• the tube is hollow;
• the tube further comprises at least one groove formed in the outer surface, parallel to the central axis, and circumferentially spaced apart from the initial contact line;
• and
• the at least one groove creates a localized reduction in a thickness of the tube and a stiffness of the elastomeric compression spring at the at least one groove, wherein the thickness of the tube, radially inwardly from a deepest portion of the groove, is a minimum thickness of the tube;
• identifying at least one difference between a desired load-displacement performance and an actual load-displacement performance of the elastomeric compression spring;
• determining a desired localized decrease in a load-displacement rate beginning at a desired first displacement and ending at a desired second displacement corresponding with the at least one difference between the desired load-displacement performance and the actual load-displacement performance;
• and
• updating at least one groove formed in an outer surface of a tube of the elastomeric compression spring, according to the desired localized decrease in the load-displacement rate, to achieve the desired load-displacement performance.