Passive Benchtop Isolation Systems

Thorlabs' passive benchtop isolation solutions are designed for temporary setups or less demanding applications. They provide vibrational isolation using either pneumatic isolators or sorbothane. Options are available for use with breadboards, optical tables, or other heavy equipment. For more demanding applications, see our line of active isolation breadboard support frames.

IsoPlate
Thorlabs' IsoPlate Isolation Systems use pneumatic isolators to provide vibrational isolation for breadboards. They consist of four inflated cushions that are built into the corners of a heavy-duty support plate. These isolation systems are well suited for medium-sensitivity microscopy measurements and general photonics applications.

Passive Isolation Mounts
Our Passive Isolation Mounts are pneumatic isolator feet that are used to stabilize a small optical table or breadboard. Sold as a set of four, they are easily attached to existing support systems and provide passive isolation to a wide range of work surface sizes. These isolation mounts are well suited for medium-sensitivity microscopy measurements and general photonics applications.

Sorbothane Feet
Thorlabs' Vibration Isolating Feet are fabricated from sorbothane and provide vibrational isolation for workbench-mounted breadboards. We offer multiple sorbothane feet options, with maximum load capacities ranging from 6 lbs (2.7 kg) to 50 lbs (22.7 kg). This low-level, passive isolation solution is well suited for non-sensitive applications, such as electronic equipment mounted on a tabletop.

Selecting the Proper Sorbothane Isolator Feet

The example presented here details the steps needed to ensure the proper selection of round sorbothane isolator feet to match the requirements of a particular load and problem frequency. Following the example are plots showing the amount of isolation achieved for our isolator feet. For specific isolation recommendations, please contact Tech Support.

Example

• Mass of the Breadboard (m_b): 44 lbs
• Mass of Mounted Optics, Posts, Hardware, and Stages (m_e): 10 lbs
• Number of Isolators (n): 4
• Problem Frequency: Unknown

The round sorbothane feet's isolation graphs, shown below, use load per isolator (m) in lbs, which is given by the following equation:

Based on the values given above, the calculated load per isolator is 13.5 lbs. This value should then be looked up on each isolation graph for the round isolator feet below. Sorbothane feet with a calculated load per isolator that exceeds the maximum load are not suitable for the application. Without a known problem frequency, the isolator that effectively isolates at the lowest cut-on frequency is recommended.

For this example, the AV4(/M) or AV5(/M) sorbothane feet would both be acceptable solutions. The AV4 Ø27 mm isolator feet provide better isolation performance at lower frequencies but are near the load limit, so if the total load were higher than anticipated the isolator would be outside of the recommended load capacity. Our AV5 Ø38.1 mm isolator feet will have worse isolation performance at lower frequencies, but are well within the load range which may be preferable.

If a sorbothane sheet is preferred, it would need to be cut to an appropriate size as described in the full web presentation on Sorbothane Isolators. For a 13.5 lb (6.1 kg) load, a 0.5" (12.7 mm) thick sheet cut into 1.5" x 0.5" (38.1 mm x 12.7 mm) pieces would provide a good isolation solution.

Sorbothane Feet Isolation Plots

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The plot shown above shows the isolation efficiency per foot of the AV3 Sorbothane Isolator Feet. These isolators should not be used above the maximum load capacity of 6 lbs. Above this weight, the isolators will begin to amplify vibrations rather than damp them.

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The plot shown above shows the isolation efficiency per foot of the AV4(/M) Sorbothane Isolator Feet. These isolators should not be used above the maximum load capacity of 14 lbs. Above this weight, the isolators will begin to amplify vibrations rather than damp them.

Click to Enlarge
The plot shown above shows the isolation efficiency per foot of the AV5(/M) Sorbothane Isolator Feet. These isolators should not be used above the maximum load capacity of 33 lbs. Above this weight, the isolators will begin to amplify vibrations rather than damp them.

Click to Enlarge
The plot shown above shows the isolation efficiency per foot of the AV6(/M) Sorbothane Isolator Feet. These isolators should not be used above the maximum load capacity of 50 lbs. Above this weight, the isolators will begin to amplify vibrations rather than damp them.