OPTA Optical Table Support Systems

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Support systems can be ordered as freestanding isolators or tie bar connected. The table support itself is offered in three different version and the legs can be equipped with different footings.

Support System without Vibrations Isolation

Rigid Table Support
Type LMT
(Levelling Mount Table)

The table top is fixed to the support system. Levelling screws which have a resonant frequency above 10Hz are installed between table legs and table feet to compensate for unevenness in the laboratory floor.

Support System with Low-Frequency Vibration Isolation

Vibration Isolated Table Top
Type RMT
(Rubber Mount Table)

Reinforced elastomeric shock absorbers make the connection between table top and support system. The resonant frequency of these systems lie between 2,5 and 5 Hz.

Support System with Low-Frequency Vibration Isolation

Vibration Isolated Table Top
Type DMT
(Diaphragm Mount Table)

In this case the table support system uses the legs as air cambers. The tabletop rests upon club-shaped diaphragm mounts.

This results in the system having an effective isolation against vibration in the floor. The vertical resonant frequency of this support is lower than 0,85 Hz. In the instance of floor vibrations of resonance greater than 8Hz the degree of isolation will be more than 90%.

Various level-control systems are available for both RMT and DMT support systems.

Level Control System

A change in the load distribution on the table or a change in the load itself causes an optical table with air bearings to change its horizontal alignment and height. To maintain the table level at a constant height a level control system is required.

The level control system from OPTA compensates for any load changes and keeps the table at its pre adjusted height. The self levelling repeatability amounts under optimum conditions of ±10 µm. Throttle values are used to control the levelling rate. The air pressure required lies below 6 bar. The number of table support legs is determining the pneumatic control scheme. Usually four legs are used to support a table top. A three-point support is realised by a parallel connection of two air bearings. When more than four legs are required each leg must be connected such that always three controllable groups are formed with one control valve per group. A pressure reducing valve at the control unit is available as an accessory and can be used to adjust the required system pressure under different loads. Simultaneously the pressure of the three air bearings can be monitored.

The level control systems PVS and SVS from OPTA work without electronic components. As level monitoring devices pneumatic values are used which mechanically detect the actual value of the system. The nominal standard will also be regulated by mechanically valves.

Level-Control System Type PVS
(Pressure Valve System)
System for standard applications. Pressure is read directly at the regulating valves.

Level-Control System Type SVS
(Special Value System)
System for demanding application. Adjustable levelling rate. Special valves with precise reset function.

Level-Control System Type ECS
(Electronic Control System)
Contact-free operating self-levelling system which represents an optimised vibration isolation. (Only available in connection with table top DMT).