Tuned dampers concentrate damping where it\'s needed
Trussed honeycomb core eliminates relative motion errors
Unmatched vibration immunity for a passive table top
Triple core interface increases point loading capability
Mounting holes individually sealed with conical polymeric cup
Compatible with Stabilizer™ isolators and rigid LabLegs
Featuring unmatched vibration immunity, our RS4000 optical tables combine Newport’s uniquely rigid trussed honeycomb core with our highest level of tuned damping. Its supreme stability has meant the difference between success and failure in countless leading edge applications.
Newport tuned dampers concentrate damping where it\'s needed most, at the frequencies of dominant resonance modes. Broadband dampers are designed to provide moderate damping over a wide range of frequencies, but they are not as effective at damping the dominant modes of table vibration. Our RS4000 optical tables feature four tuned dampers which are selected and located based on the structural modes of the specific table size.
Newport innovated the trussed core design to maximize the optical table’s rigidity to weight ratio. An extra steel member is bridged across the center of the honeycomb cell to significantly stiffen the cell with minimal increase in weight. This increases both static and dynamic rigidity. A highly rigid platform eliminates errors caused by relative motion between optical components in the beam path.
The RS4000 Series is a culmination of many years of experience, innovation and attention to detail leading to unmatched vibration immunity. It combines Newport’s uniquely rigid trussed honeycomb core with our highest level of tuned damping. Originally designed for high end interferometric research, the RS4000 is the best choice for extremely sensitive measurements requiring the utmost in vibration control.
All Newport tables are vertically bonded along the height of the honeycomb core. Most other manufacturers forego this extra step because of added expense and time required to apply adhesive to each individual core member. Vertical bonding adds constrained layer damping effects into the core, while maximizing the table’s rigidity-to-weight ratio. The trussed core design enables a triple core interface at each honeycomb cell. Whereas open core designs only have two structural members at each interface, the Newport table has three offering a 50% increase in local rigidity. The three sheets are fully bonded for the full table height producing greater stiffness.
The 1/4-20 or M6 tapped mounting holes are countersunk and deburred. This ensures easy thread engagement while eliminating contamination problems. The mounting holes are located on a 1 in. or 25 mm grid with standard grid markings for easy and repeatable component placement.
Each tapped hole in a Newport optical table is registered to the core and individually sealed with a non-corrosive conical cup. This seals the honeycomb cell to prevent laser dyes, cooling fluids or the occasional mislaid cup of coffee from contaminating the table interior. Cleanup is eased by eliminating places for liquids to hide. The conical design of the sealing cup aids in removing any remaining residues. A polymeric cup material is used to prevent particle shedding and breach of the sealing system due to corrosion. The cup is impervious to acids, bases and common laboratory solvents.
Metrology quality steel assembly platens are used to ensure the superior flatness of our optical tables. The platen supports the top surface of the table during the assembly and bonding process and imprints the top surface with the same flatness characteristics. Our platens are the largest and flattest in the industry. We use gravity pressure bonding to apply constant pressure across the optical table during the bonding process ensuring that the top surface conforms to the platen flatness.
Newport invented the Stabilizer™ isolator and introduced a new level of vibration isolation to the scientific industry. It features our proprietary hybrid chamber and laminar flow damping system to provide isolation from even the lowest amplitude vibrations. When used with extremely rigid tuned damped RS4000 tables our systems offer unmatched performance. It is no wonder most leading edge researchers will only accept Newport in their laboratories. S-2000 Stabilizer™ Series pneumatic isolators are ordered separately.
Maximum compliance guide for Newport tables. Values plotted are for the RS 4000™.
Static deflection guide for Newport tables. Maximum deflection values are plotted for the 4 ft (1.2 m) wide tables. Multiply values by 0.8 for 5 ft (1.5 m) wide tables.
Minimum frequency guide for any vibrational mode of Newport tables.
| Stabilizer™ Pnuematic Vibration Isolators | RL Series LabLegs™ Rigid Table Supports | ST Series SmartTables | Tuned Damped Optical Table Systems |
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Is there a difference in honeycomb core designs?
Yes. Newport uses a trussed core design that, although lighter than competitive cores, actually exhibits better static rigidity. The higher rigidity is due to the vertical bonding provided at the triple core interface. Other manufacturers forego the production expense of bonding along the height of their core resulting in a core that is both heavier and less rigid. The lighter Newport trussed core is also dynamically superior due to the higher stiffness-to-weight ratio.
Which is more effective, tuned damping or broadband damping?
Narrow band tuned damping techniques are far more effective than broadband dampers. Narrow band dampers selectively eliminate the vibration mode. Different dampers can be used for different modes and are effective for damping mode harmonics. Narrow band dampers are individually chosen for the table geometry and are not affected by table loads up to 25% of the table mass. Tables with heavier loads can be custom tuned at Newport with the specified load in place. Narrow band techniques add less weight than competitive “dry dampers” that can actually increase vibration problems by placing more load at the table ends and decreasing the stiffness-to-weight ratio. Dry dampers incorporate semi-rigid adhesive layers which can degrade over time. As a result, dry dampers are not as reliable as the low vapor pressure, hermetically sealed oil damping techniques used by Newport.
Are figures of merit useful for comparing table tops?
Yes, if properly applied. All figures of merit; such as the Maximum Relative Motion and Dynamic Deflection Coefficient; are extracted from a combination of measured data and assumptions. The methods of calculation and assumptions should be clearly stated by the manufacturer or the data may not be comparable. Newport uses these figures of merit conservatively for the benefit of its customers when comparing among the many tables offered by Newport. Manufacturer data claiming maximum compliance levels and maximum static deflection should be discarded unless the computational method is clearly stated. In any case, the best evaluation is the direct comparison of compliance curves measured at the proper table location.
The most important data shown on compliance curves are the table resonance frequencies and the “Q” of each resonance. Higher resonance frequencies result in lower table deflection. Minimum “Q”; the ratio of peak compliance to the ideal rigid body compliance at the same frequency; indicates high table damping and reduced bending due to vibration.
Does side construction matter?
Yes. Newport offers two types of side walls: wood composite for laboratory use and damped metal sides for cleanroom and vacuum applications. The wood sides are acoustically superior to any competitor’s metal sides—tap on them and you can hear the difference! The composite wood will not corrode and is epoxy sealed against liquid contaminants.
Should an optical table use freestanding legs or tie-bars?
Freestanding legs offer better isolation than legs coupled together with tie-bars. Tie-bar systems can introduce vibration modes directly into the leg. They also offer a false sense of security in earthquake zones. Tie-bars should only be used if rolling casters are required. In earthquake zones, approved Newport earthquake restraints should be used.