Newport has introduced the VIBe - a new table-top vibration isolation platform designed specifically for sensitive instrumentation and microscopes. The VIBe vibration isolation baseplate is a compact, effective and easy-to-use platform that significantly reduces vibrations that can disturb sensitive instruments. The VIBe is available in four standard shapes, two rectangular and two triangular, that have been designed to satisfy the widest range of application needs. All VIBe units feature a black powder-coated steel plate and patented mechanical isolators that provide both vertical and horizontal vibration isolation, there are no air lines, compressors or other accessories needed to provide effective isolation performance.
Fundamental to VIBe are the IB isolator bearings which are available in discrete payload ranges, as identified by their part number. In total, Newport offers six models of IB bearings that effectively cover a load range from 10 to 100lbs, allowing users to configure the proper size platform and bearings to support and isolate their instrument, even if the load is not uniform.
The isolators feature a 6.7Hz vertical resonance frequency that begins isolating at 9Hz, and a horizontal resonance of 6.2Hz with isolation beginning at 9Hz. This, the company states, is sufficient performance to eliminate more than 85 per cent of the vibration noise seen in typical laboratories. The IB bearings attach to the VIBe baseplate using specially designed brackets that feature a threaded aperture to allow levelling adjustment of the VIBe baseplate.
The two rectangular platforms come in 12 x 18-inch and 18 x 24-inch sizes, and can be equipped with isolator bearings to support payloads from 5 to more than 350lbs. The triangular models have been designed specifically to accommodate a large assortment of microscope footprints from all leading manufacturers.