Some balances can measure minute samples far lighter than a single gram. The accuracy of results when weighing such small samples can often be influenced by external factors from the environment. This includes air-flow, dust & other particles in the air, and even movement around them which can cause vibrations. These effects must be cancelled out to produce the most accurate results. Even small vibrations can have a larger effect on readings than most people realise, so equipment such as anti-vibration tables are highly recommended.
What are anti-vibration tables?
An anti-vibration table is the best option when you need accurate & highly precise results every time. Vibrations can be produced by any form of movement from as small as a draught, to people walking around and even from cars driving down the road. For balances with a higher readability, these vibrations can decrease the accuracy of a sample reading. Anti-vibration tables have a robust, solid surface that is designed to decrease vibrations.
How do they work?
Anti-vibration tables work through preventing the transfer of motion, decreasing vibrations from the surroundings being passed to the balance. Typically being made from heavy stone, these tables have a heavy weighing surface that is separated from the tabletop by rubber mounts. The mounts act to absorb vibrations from movement.
The Adam Equipment anti-vibration table has a two frame structure to allow a surface for you to place samples and notebooks on. This leaves the table unaffected if moved while working with a sample.
A tabletop version is available if space is at a premium. This includes the stone slab that sits on top of a small frame. This can then be rested on a lab bench.
These are passive examples of anti-vibration tables. However, there are active versions as well. Active tables have sensors that can detect vibrations to be cancelled out accordingly by using actuators.
Are there other uses?
The anti-vibration table is not only useful for laboratory scales. They can also be used as a station for the calibration of other equipment. This includes calibration for mass in weighing equipment and even pipettes calibration. Movement can also cause samples being looked at through a microscope to shift due to vibrations and this table can help prevent that. Other pieces of equipment such as laser and optical systems can see disruptions to the performance of the laser and see fluctuations in results. The anti-vibration table can be used for any use where vibrations may affect the accuracy of the investigation at hand.
