The table above indicates the frame size that will suit each breadboard size. Custom sizes are available upon request. Please contact Tech Support with your requirements and to obtain pricing.
Support Frame Features
Accommodate Breadboard Sizes as Large as 1.25 m x 2.5 m (4' x 8')
Manually Leveling Feet to Compensate for Uneven Floors
Set of Casters Available (Part number PWA061)
This series of rigid support frames is designed to support optical breadboards in a laboratory or production environment where vibration isolation is not a critical factor. If needs change, these support frames can be easily upgraded to provide passive isolation using our PWA series passive upgrade kits.
Specification
Item #
Value
Load Capacity
700 kg (1545 lbs)
Height
700 mm (27.5") or 800 mm (31.5")
Leveling Pads (Top) Height Adjustment Range
±9.5 mm (0.375")
Leveling Feet (Bottom) Height Adjustment Range
±5 mm (0.2")
Finish
Black
Mobile Workstation Features
Light Weight Aluminum Design
Lockable Casters
Four Adjustable Anti-Slip Support Pads
Under Storage Tray and Optional Drawer
The Optics a la Cart is a mobile, non-isolating workstation, ideal for applications where an experiment needs to remain mobile before being moved to an optical table.
Thorlabs non-isolating breadboard supports consists of a frame supported by four steel legs, with a rubber mount at the top which supports the breadboard. This rubber mount is attached to the supporting leg by a jack screw. Using an open ended wrench, these jack screws can be adjusted to level the breadboard or adjust the height over a ±9.5mm (0.375") range.
Selecting a Vibration System
Thorlabs offers three types of breadboard support systems: Active Isolation, Passive Isolation and a rigid support system.
The Active and the Passive isolation systems are both based on compressed air, providing vibration isolation in frequencies above 2Hz and 10Hz (respectively) making them ideal systems for demanding photonic experiments or for work in a noisy environment. In addition, Thorlabs also offers rigid support systems with no vibration isolation for less demanding applications which require only breadboard isolation. The table below compares the isolation performance of our different isolation systems.
Active Vibration Isolators
Standard Passive Vibration Isolators
Heavy Duty Passive Vibration Isolators
Rigid, Non-Isolating
Optics a la Cart Rigid Lab Cart
Vertical Resonant Frequency
<1.6 Hz
3.5 Hz
3.5 Hz
N/A
N/A
Horizontal Resonant Frequency
<1.2 Hz
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Vertical Transmissibility at Resonance
<13 dB
24 dB
24 dB
N/A
N/A
Horizontal Transmissibility at Resonance
<8 dB
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Vertical Transmissibility at 10Hz
-34 dB
-16 dB
-16 dB
N/A
N/A
Horizontal Transmissibility at 10Hz
-34 dB
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Isolation Type
Active
Passive
Passive
N/A
N/A
Damping Efficiency
Best
Good
Good
N/A
N/A
Height
700 mm (27.5”) 800 mm (31.5”)
700 mm (27.5”) 800 mm (31.5”)
700 mm (27.5”) 800 mm (31.5”)
700 mm (27.5”) 800 mm (31.5”)
870 mm (34.3”)
Load capacity
700 kg (1540 lbs)
24 to 260 kg (50 to 570 lbs)
135 to 700 kg (300 to 1540 lbs)
700 kg (1540 lbs)
320 kg (705 lbs)
Mobility
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Lockable casters
Storage
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Bottom Shelf Optional Drawer
Vibration Isolation
Vibration isolation is needed to isolate between noises originating around the workstation and breadboard surface. Such vibrations may result from machinery in the building such as elevators or compressors, pedestrians, building vibrations and nearby street traffic. The role of the vibration system is to dampen, both horizontally and vertically, the noises generated by the surrounding environment. Such noises are typically in the range of 10-100 Hz. the table below depicts common vibration sources:
Types
Frequency (Hz)
Amplitude (inches)
Air Compressors
4 – 20
10-2
Handling Equipment
5 – 40
10-3
Pumps*
5 – 25
10-3
Building Services
7 – 40
10-4
Foot Traffic
0.5 – 6
10-5
Acoustics
100 – 10,000
10-2 to 10-4
Punch Presses
Up to 20
10-2 to 10-5
Transformers
50 – 400
10-4 to 10-5
Elevators
Up to 40
10-3 to 10-5
Building Motion
46/Height in meters
10-1
Building Pressure Waves
1 – 5
10-5
Railroad
5 - 20
+/-0.15 g
Highway Traffic
5 - 100 Hz
+/-0.001 g
*Vacuum, Compressed or Non-Compressed Fluids
To learn more about Vibration Isolation please visit our Optical Tables Tutorial.
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Posted Comments:
Poster: jlow
Posted Date: 2012-12-13 09:21:00.0
Response from Jeremy at Thorlabs: You are indeed correct with your calculation. The optimum minimal table deflection is at 0.554 x the length. The recommended frame size on the website is basically a compromise between aesthetics and performance.
Poster: n.stroilov
Posted Date: 2012-12-11 12:51:55.833
Hello
Could you please help me to choose right frame size for PBH52522.
Acordeing your table (http://www.thorlabs.de/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1871) frame should be 1500х900mm.
But we have always followed that for minumum table deflection, most optimal distance between supports should be 0.554 х L (where L is table lenght).
So according our calculations frame should be 1200х600mm. That frame we have bought for our tables.
Is it your table strength calculations does not confirm this?
Click on any phrase below to search our site using our new Search Engine:
Height Adjustment Range: -Leveling Pads: ±9.5 mm (±0.375") -Leveling Feet: ±5 mm (±0.2")
Upgradeable to Passive Isolation
This series of rigid, non-isolating frames is designed to provide a cost effective solution for supporting optical breadboards in a laboratory or production environment and is ideal for applications where vibration isolation is not a critical factor. If application needs change, the frame can be upgraded to passive isolation by using our PWA074 or PWA075 upgrade kits described below.
These support frames are shipped from stock, and accommodate breadboard sizes as large as 1.25 m x 2.5 m (4' x 8'). They are of a sturdy, all steel construction, and feature manual leveling pads to compensate for uneven floors. Casters are available separately, see price box below (PWA061)
700 mm Tall, Non-Isolating, Upgradeable Support Frames - Built to Order
These built-to-order, non-isolating rigid support frames are identical to those offered above except that they are 700 mm (27.5") tall instead of 800 mm (31.5"). Please contact your local sales office for lead times.
Supports a Wide Range of Breadboard and Optical Table Sizes
Use Extra Mounts to Increase Load Capacity
Supplied as a Set of Four
These Passive Isolation Mounts, which are designed for use with breadboards and small optical tables, are particularly well suited for upgrading a rigid, non-isolating support frame. Place them on a floor or benchtop to provide a quick and easy temporary vibration isolation solution when a permanent system is not deemed necessary.
The mounts are sold as a set of four, contain a Schrader valve, and can be inflated using our standard foot pump. Other quantities are available by contacting Technical Support.
Measured Transmissibility Curve
Item #
PWA074
PWA075
Load Capacity (Set of Four)
24 - 260 kg (50 - 570 lb)
135 - 700 kg (300 - 1540 lb)
Resonant Frequencya
3.5 Hz
Transmissibility at Resonancea
24 dB
Transmissibility at 10 Hz
-16 dB (0.15 Transmissibility Ratio)
Air Pressure Required (Max)
72 psi (496 kPa)
Footprint
75 mm x 75 mm (2.95" x 2.95")
105 mm x 105 mm (4.13" x 4.13")
Height
65 mm (2.56")
Thread on Top of Mount
M10
M12
Measured at the maximum load for the isolator type.
360° Swivel Allows Ease of Movement for Large Systems
Highly Durable, Non-Marring Polyurethane Wheels
These casters are designed to permit easy relocation of the breadboard support frames, without removal of equipment or disassembly of the system. They are ideal for positioning the frames within tight spaces. Each caster rides on a non-marring wheel for smooth and quiet operation. Supplied as a set of four.
Thorlabs Optics a la Cart is ideal for applications where an experiment needs to remain mobile, before being moved to an optical table. The rigid, heavy-duty construction supports up to 320 kg (705 lbs). The frame comes mounted with four adjustable leveling mounts to support a breadboard size of 600 x 900 mm (2'x 3') (larger breadboards may be used but will overhang the frame) and allows the height to be varied ±10 mm (0.39"). The combined weight of the breadboard and equipment must not exceed 320 kg (705 lbs).
Four swiveling lockable casters prevent the cart from undesired movement as well as allowing the cart to be maneuvered through tight spaces typical in crowded labs. The lower section of the cart offers storage space for up to two standard Thorlabs Essentials Kits, instrumentation etc (see above right). In addition the upper portion can be fitted with an optional utility drawer (POD001), ideal for storing tools and smaller items such as optics (see the family image at top of page). Thorlabs Optics a la Cart makes the perfect addition to any lab.