Instrumentation Shelves

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15" x 10" Laptop Supported by
S1418 Shelf Mounted with a Single Ø1.5" Post

Features

• Two Sizes Available for Mounting a Variety of Benchtop Instruments
• 9" x 13" (228.6 mm x 330.2 mm)
• 14" x 18" (355.6 mm x 457.2 mm)
• Some Models are Post Mountable to Conserve Optical Table Space
• Vibration Isolation Accessories for Direct Breadboard Mounting

Our Benchtop Instrumentation Shelves are ideal solutions for mounting instruments above an optical table or breadboard surface. We also offer a Benchtop Isolation Plate and Sorbothane^® Sheets that help isolate mechanical noise and vibrations.

S913A Mounting Options

• Single-Shelf Post Mounting
• Post Mounting of Stacked Shelves
• Direct Breadboard Placement for Vibration Isolation Applications

Single-Shelf Post Mounting

A single S913A Instrument Shelf may be mounted above a breadboard, as shown in Figure 1 below. To complete this configuration, you will need the following:

• One S913A Shelf
• One Ø1.5" Post
• One PB1 Post Base (Alternative: PB2 Post Base, or a PF85B, PF125B, or PF175B Clamping Fork with a PB4 or PB4R Pedestal Base)
• 1/4"-20 Cap Screws, 3/8" Long (M6 Cap Screws, 10 mm Long for Metric Items)

The Ø1.5" post is attached to the middle of the bottom of the S913A shelf utilizing the BA2 base. Insert one 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw through the central hole of the shelf and into the counterbore of the BA2 base, and then thread this onto the post. (A detail of the underside of the shelf, showing the BA2 base, is shown in Figure 2.) Next, flip the shelf over and attach the PB1, PB2, or PB4. The shelf is now ready to be attached to the optical table or breadboard.

Post Mounting of Stacked Shelves

Several S913A shelves may be stacked above a breadboard, as shown in Figure 3 to the right. For this configuration, you will need the following:

• Two (or More) S913A Shelves
• Two Ø1.5" Posts
• C1505 Angle Brackets (Two per Shelf)
• Two PB1 Post Bases (Aternative: PB1 Post Bases or PF85B, PF125B, or PF175B Clamping Forks with PB4 or PB4R Pedestal Bases)
• 1/4"-20 Cap Screws, 3/8" Long (M6 Cap Screws, 10 mm Long for Metric Items)

Attach the C1505 Angle Brackets to the underside of either end of each S913A shelf using 1/4"-20 cap screws. Attach the PB1, PB2, or PB4 base to each Ø1.5" Post. Slide the clamp of one C1505 Bracket over the end of one Ø1.5" Post and then repeat with the second post on the other end of the shelf. Tighten down both clamping mechanisms so that the shelf is at the appropriate height and level. Repeat this process with the second shelf.

Direct Breadboard Placement for Vibration Isolation Applications

The S913A shelf features sorbothane feet designed to provide some vibration isolation for applications in which a benchtop instrument must be placed on the optical table surface. A close-up view of these feet is shown in Figure 4.

For more demanding vibration-isolation applications, Thorlabs recommends using our S913B isolation plate and sorbothane sheeting. To complete this configuration, you will need:

• One S913A Shelf
• One Sorbothane Sheet (SB12A, SB12B, or SB12C)
• One S913B Isolation Plate

Place the S913A shelf on your breadboard, with the feet facing the table. Then, cut the sorbothane sheet to fit the surface of the shelf, and lay the sheet on the shelf. Place the S913B isolation plate on top of the sorbothane sheet. This configuration is shown in Figure 5, and will provide a stable, vibration-limiting base for benchtop instruments which otherwise might disturb sensitive experiments.

S1418 Mounting Options

• Power Strip Mounting
• Mounting with a Single Ø1.5" Post
• Multiple Post Mounting
• Direct Breadboard Placement for Vibration Isolation Applications

Power Strip Mounting

An additional feature of the S1418 Shelf is the ability to mount our SP620 Power Strip. To use this feature, you will need:

• One S1418 Shelf
• One SP620 Power Strip
• Four 6-32 Cap Head Screws (M3 for Metric Items)

Thread the 6-32 (M3) cap screws so that the head is slightly raised from the surface of the shelf. The SP620 power strip features four slots which accept the cap screw head; once the screw head is in the slot, push back on one end of the power strip to lock it in place. Figure 1 shows the bottom side of a shelf with a power strip attached. Power strip mounting may be used with any of the post-mounting options described below.

Mounting with a Single Ø1.5" Post

A single S1415 shelf may be mounted above a breadboard, using a single Ø1.5" post. To complete this configuration, you will need:

• One S1418 Shelf
• One Ø1.5" Post
• One PB1 Post Base (Alternatively, a PB2 Post Base, or a PF85B, PF125B, or PF175B Clamping Fork with a PB4 or PB4R Pedestal Base)
• 1/4"-20 Cap Screws, 3/8" Long (M6 Cap Screws, 10 mm Long for Metric Items)

The Ø1.5" post is attached utilizing the BA2 base, which is supplied with the S1418 shelf. Insert the 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw (included with the S1418 shelf) through the central hole of the shelf and into the counterbore of the BA2 base, and then thread this onto the post (A detail of the underside of the shelf, showing the BA2 base, is shown in Figure 1 above). Next, flip the shelf over, so that the PB1, PB2, or PB4 may be attached. Then, the shelf is ready to be attached to the optical table or breadboard. The completed assembly is shown in Figure 2, including a mounted SP620 power strip.

Multiple Post Mounting

The S1415 shelf may be supported by four posts, one in each corner, which is ideal for heavy or uneven loads. The needs will depend upon which post style you choose; this mounting method will work with any of our posts with a 1/4"-20 (M6) tap, including our Ø1/2", Ø1", or Ø1.5" posts. Each of these options also features a variety of bases for securing the posts to the optical table. For example, Figure 3 shows the S1418 shelf supported by four Ø1/2" posts, post holders, and BA2 bases. Another alternative is shown in Figure 4, where the shelf is supported by four Ø1" posts and clamping forks.

Direct Breadboard Placement for Vibration Isolation Applications

For more demanding vibration-isolation applications, Thorlabs recommends using our S1418 shelf and sorbothane sheeting. To complete this configuration, you will need:

• One S1418 Shelf
• One Sorbothane Sheet (SB12A or SB12B)

Cut the sorbothane sheet to fit the surface of the shelf, and lay the sheet on the optical table or breadboard. Place the S1418 isolation plate on top of the sorbothane sheet. This configuration will provide a stable, vibration-limiting base for benchtop instruments which otherwise might disturb sensitive experiments.

For instruments smaller than 9" x 13" (228 mm x 330 mm), we recommend using our S913A Shelf, sorbothane sheet, and S913B Isolation Plate, which will provide greater levels of isolation. For details, please see the S913A Mounting tab above.