FAQ
Most frequently asked questions about vibration isolaton, instruments & accessoires, applications, etc.
Q1: I have got vibration problems! What can I do?
High-precision measurements and high-resolution microscopy, especially down to the nanometer-scale, can be easily disturbed by vibrations from outside. Possible sources are:
- building and floor vibrations (vertical: 5-30 Hz, horizontal: 0.5-10 Hz)
- acoustic vibrations (>20 Hz)
- motorized equipment and machinery (10-500 Hz)
There are passive and active isolation systems to damp these disturbing vibrations. Passive systems will often be applied by mounting the system on rubber stamps inside an acoustic hood or using a heavy table mounted on soft springs. This soulution can be used successfully to isolate relatively high frequencies (>50 Hz) but beware this is the worst possible "solution" for low frequency building vibrations. Active systems damp low frequency vibrations actively, especially in the range where passive systems have their resonance frequency.
See chapter 'TECHNOLOGY' for further details
Q2: Why active damping and what are the limits of passive damping?
| Passive | systems do not damp vibrations at low frequencies because of their resonance frequency in that region. To improve this disadvantage passive system have to be very soft resulting in higher latencies between disturbances. |
| Active | systems overcome this limit when applying inertial velocity in a feedback loop (analog electronic). The advantages of active systems over passive systems are:
|
Q3: How can I isolate low frequency vibrations, caused by floor, traffic, sound, etc.?
Low frequency vibrations can be damped by active vibration isolation systems (eg. the TS- and AVI-series).
Q4: I don´t really know the frequency and dimension of my disturbances. Can you help me?
Yes of course!
We offer vibration analysis in your laboratory in order to determine the best solution for your individual application.
Q5: Is it possible to get a demo-system for testing the effect on our individual application?
Yes, we offer demo-systems to show the effect of our damping systems in combination with your specific instrument.
Q6: What kind of load capacities and instrument dimensions can be covered by the TS- and the AVI-systems?
The TS- and AVI-systems cover a wide range of loads and instrument dimensions:
| System | Max. Load | Dimensions |
| TS-C30 | 40 kg | 300x300x70 mm3 |
| TS150 | 150 kg | 400x450x75 mm3 |
| TS140 | 140 kg | 500x600x84 mm3 |
| TS300LT | 120 kg | 600x800x120 mm3 |
| TS140+40 | 50 - 180 kg | 500x600x84 mm3 |
| TS300 | 300 kg | 600x800x120 mm3 |
| AVI200-Series | 400 kg (enlargeable on demand) | customizable |
| AVI400-Series | 800 kg (enlargeable on demand) | customizable |
| AVI600-Series | 1600 kg (enlargeable on demand) | customizable |
The basic configuration of AVI systems consists of two modules.
Q7:What are the typical applications of the TS-Systems?
| System | Applications |
| TS150 | AFM, optical Microscopy, SNOM, ... |
| TS140 | AFM, LSM, SNOM, Profilometry, ... |
| TS300LT | Profilometry, Nano Lithography, ... |
| TS140+40 | AFM, LSM, SNOM, Profilometry, ... |
| TS300 | Profilometry, Nano Indentation, ... |
| AVI200-Series | SEM, UHV-STM, water inspection systems, ... |
| AVI400-Series | SEM, UHV-STM, Interferometry, Nanoengineering, ... |
| AVI600-Series | SEM, UHV-STM, TEM, ... |
Q8: Is it possible to switch the system on & off via remote control?
Yes, for the TS-series systems a remote control is optionally available.
Q9: Are there different top plates available?
Yes, it's possible to select between aluminium and stainless steel.
Additionally the customer can select between a blank top plate and a top plate with a M6x50mm grid.
Specially customized top plates are available on request.
Q10: What kind of additional accessories will be offered by HWL?
Beside the remote control, the exciter boxes and the vibration analysis system VA-2C (see 'ACCESSORIES' for further information), HWL offers standard and customized support frames and table top plates as well as an integrated work environment for the TS-series systems. (see 'TS-workstation' for further information)
Q11: Must the systems be calibrated?
All TS-series systems will adjust themselves automatically and balance different load distributions of the setup. The AVI-series systems might have to be adjusted once to a certain load distribution range.
