Vibration Damping an Analytical Scale

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around methods for dampening vibrations affecting a sensitive analytical scale, particularly in a laboratory setting. Participants explore various solutions, including the use of vibration damping pads, magnetic dampers, and alternative support systems to minimize the impact of ambient vibrations from foot traffic and HVAC systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests using a 200-lb slab of marble with vibration damping pucks to isolate the scale from vibrations.
  • Another participant provides links to various types of acoustic or vibration damping pads, sharing personal experience with microbalances that required air movement prevention.
  • A different participant describes a magnetic damping method involving a permanent magnet and an aluminum plate to reduce vibrations through eddy currents.
  • One participant mentions that their existing scale has an air sash to mitigate drafts but expresses concerns about scale drift and repeatability.
  • A participant recounts a professor's experience with damping pucks, stating they were inadequate for precision measurements, leading to the use of an air-hockey-type system.
  • Another participant discusses the potential of pneumatic supports as a superior solution for sensitive measurements, while also mentioning a DIY approach using a wooden box filled with sand and supported by inner tubes.
  • A later reply raises a question about the effectiveness of using multiple pads versus a single sheet for vibration damping under the marble slab.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a variety of opinions on the effectiveness of different vibration damping methods, with no consensus on the best approach. Some advocate for specific products or techniques, while others share anecdotal experiences that suggest varying levels of success.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in their suggestions, including the cost of high-quality solutions like pneumatic supports and the potential ineffectiveness of certain damping methods for precision applications. There is also uncertainty regarding the optimal configuration of damping pads.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to laboratory technicians, mechanical engineers, and researchers involved in precision measurements or working with sensitive analytical equipment.

MATLABdude
Science Advisor
Messages
1,664
Reaction score
6
Hello MechEs (or anybody else who'd care to reply)

I'm about to get a small, but fairly sensitive analytical scale recently (down to 0.01 mg) and now I'm trying to figure out a way to dampen ambient vibration from the room and its surroundings (people walking around, HVAC, etc.)

I've got a 200-lb slab of marble that I intend to put the scale on, and I plan to set the slab on a counter in a corner of the lab away from air drafts. I consulted one of the laser techs in the department who also suggested putting multiple vibration damping "pucks" between the slab and the counter. Apparently, they're neat to throw around because you can throw them really hard at the floor and they'll just land there without bouncing back. He's used them previously, but can't remember a brand name or supplier.

Apparently, these are used to dampen speaker vibrations, and prevent transfer of roughing pump vibration to the floor.

So has anybody ever used these before, and remember what they're called or where I can get these from? Better yet, does anybody have a better solution that isn't super expensive? (i.e. pneumatic supports, giant block of concrete, etc.)

Thank you!
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Acoustic or vibration damping pads.

Acoustica® Visco-Elastic Vibration Damping Pad
http://www.acoustica.com.au/damping-pad.html

ANTI VIBRATION PADS
http://www.vibrasystems.com/?EC=Products&CategoryID=11

Vibration Dampening Pads
http://azsupply.thomasnet.com/viewitems/categories-shop-equipment-vibration-dampening-pads/-vibration-dampening-pads-vibration-dampening-pads

https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=16413781&tag=pfamazon01-20

I've used microbalances that required a box covering to preclude any air movement. Even breathing near the balances caused noise in the measurement.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sometimes I have seen magnetic dampers on sensitive scales. A strong permanent magnet is mounted on the scale base with its gap (about 5 mm) vertical. A thin aluminum plate (about 2 cm by 2 cm by 1 mm thick, about 1 gram) is mounted on the balance in such a way that it moves up and down in the magnet gap. The eddy currents in the thin aluminum plate damp the vibration.
 
The scale I've spec'd out has an air sash to prevent drafts from affecting the weighing pan. I thought about putting our (existing scale) inside my glove box, but with the reduced dexterity, and the large amount of scale drift (even though it's mg precision, it drifts like crazy, and repeatability at low masses is problematic), I thought it'd be better to just get a better scale.
 
We have a professor at a local university who makes precision measurements for bearings and spring rings. He had some experience using those damping pucks and said they were nowhere near as close to the quality that he needed.

He then started using some sort of air-hockey-type think IIRC and said that it was far better. Something tells me he now has lasers somehow involved (may or may not be mounted on top of sharks' heasds).
 
MATLABdude said:
Better yet, does anybody have a better solution that isn't super expensive? (i.e. pneumatic supports, giant block of concrete, etc.)

I'm sure the laser guy mentioned that the pneumatic supports are the best solution and are used for sensitive optical measurements. Clearly it is expensive to buy a proper optics table, with supports and an air compressor. However, I've seen amateurs use a wooden box filled with beach sand and supported by inner tubes. I've heard that this simple damping system is good enough to make holograms. If you don't have a powered compressor, a hand pump is cheap and will work.
 
I'm going to resurrect this thread with a related question. Would it be better to use numerous pads (incomplete coverage of the slab) or a single sheet (underneath the entirety of the slab)? I'd think the first would be better, as there'd be less surface area, and lower coupling efficiency from the surface of the table to the slab and the scale lying on top of it.

Thanks again for all the suggestions received so far in this thread.
 

Similar threads

Exhaust and engine accoustics for asthetics and performance
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
8K