Controlled Environment - July 2015
Negative-Stiffness Vibration Isolator
Minus K Technology, a leading manufacturer of passive vibration isolation products, has released a compact, high-capacity, low-frequency negative-stiffness isolator designed to support heavy payloads while reducing low-frequency vibrations. The new LC-4 isolator comes in several capacity ranges to match vibration-sensitive instruments such as SPMs, AFMs, STMs, micro-hardness testers, profilers, interferometers, electron microscopes and other imaging systems, for weight loads from 1 to 130 lbs.
The LC-4 comes in two versions (Low Freqency Horizontal, and Ultra-Low frequency Horizontal). Both versions can deliver a vertical natural frequency of 0.5 Hz or less, which can be achieved over the entire load range. Horizontal natural frequency is load dependent. The Low Frequency version has a 1.5 Hz natural frequency, while the Ultra-Low Frequency version can achieve 0.5 Hz or less near the nominal loads.
As with all Minus K isolators, the LC-4 is completely passive, using no air or electricity. The new isolators can be combined into multi-isolator systems to support heavier payloads while taking up very little room themselves (4.75” wide x 4.75” deep x 7” high). The LC-4 isolators can be placed inside OEM equipment as needed enabling the systems to achieve much better isolation.
The LC-4 isolators can be customized to achieve user-specific needs, and can also be made cleanroom or vacuum compatible.
Minus K® Technology, Inc. was founded in 1993 to design, manufacture and market state-of-the-art vibration isolation products based on the company’s patented negative-stiffness-mechanism technology. Minus K products are used in a broad spectrum of applications including nanotechnology, biological sciences, semiconductors, materials research, zero-g simulation of spacecraft, and high-end audio. The company is an OEM supplier to leading manufacturers of scanning probe microscopes, micro-hardness testers and other vibration-sensitive instruments and equipment. Minus K customers include private companies and more than 300 leading universities and government laboratories in 48 countries.
For more information, contact Steve Varma, Minus K Technology, Inc.; 460 Hindry Ave., Unit C, Inglewood, CA 90301; Phone 310-348-9656; Fax 310-348-9638; email stevev@minusk.com; www.minusk.com.