Active Isolation Breadboard Support Frames

Features

• Vertical and Horizontal Vibration Isolation
• Support Frames Accommodate Breadboard Sizes as Large as 1200 x 1800 mm (48" x 72")
• Available in 700 mm or 800 mm Frame Heights
• Sturdy, All Steel Construction
• Manually Leveling Feet to Compensate for Uneven Floors
• Set of Casters Available (PWA061)

These workstations are designed to support Thorlabs breadboards up to 48" x 72" (1200 mm x 1800 mm) in size. They can carry loads of up to 700 kg (1545 lbs) and have a frame height of 700 mm (27.5") or 800 mm (31.5"). The systems are based on four independent, air mounted, active vibration isolators which are self leveling with a repeatability of ±0.25 mm (0.010"). With vertical and horizontal resonance frequencies of 1.6 Hz and 1.2 Hz (accordingly) these isolators are an ideal solution for interferometry, cell injection, non-contact surface measurement, microscopy and other motion-sensitive measurements. The pneumatic isolators in the active isolation support frames require a constant source of pressurized air, such as that provided by our compressor. 

Vertical Transmissibility Plot

A vibration isolation system is subjected to continuous vibrational impulses from the laboratory floor. These vibrations may be caused by large machinery within the building or even by wind or traffic excited building resonances (swaying). Transmissibility is a measure of the isolators efficiency at damping out these vibrations and is defined as the ratio of the amplitude of the transmitted vibration to that of the forcing vibration.

Vertical damping is achieved by the use of a dual chamber, damped pneumatic spring. The breadboard is supported by the air pressure in these chambers, and sits on a piston which is sealed to the upper chamber with a rolling rubber diaphragm. This allows virtually friction free motion between piston and chamber. Floor or tabletop motion forces air to flow from the upper chamber to the reservoir bottler through a high-resistance damper.

This restriction of airflow damps oscillatory motion between the floor and breadboard, dramatically reducing settling time. The volume ratio of the chambers has been optimized to maximize damping performance for our complete range of breadboards while preserving a low resonant frequency.

Damping of horizontal vibrations is accomplished by supporting the pneumatic vertical isolator on a trifilar suspension system. This innovative pendulum design uses gravity to provide the restoring force after horizontal disturbances. Horizontal oscillations at the system’s resonant frequency are damped by linking the base of the vertical isolator to the outer cylinder with an oil-free vibration-absorbing damper.

To allow for changes in load distribution, SuperDamp™ isolators also feature a self-levelling system incorporating precision three way valves that do not compromise vertical isolation when the system is at rest. Because these valves are actuated by worksurface movement, the system returns to its original level position within ±0.25mm (0.01in.) after disturbances. The valves also compensate automatically for any changes in load distribution.

Additionally, this system allows the breadboard height to be adjusted over a range of 26mm (1.02in) and can be used to compensate for an uneven floor. These isolators require a constant supply of air. When the air supply is removed, the breadboard rests securely on top of the frame with the isolation system disabled.

 Please see the Vibration Isolation Tutorial for more information the design of our products and the theory of vibration isolation and damping.

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.

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: