vibrationsarmer

Vibrationsarmer are mounting arms designed to isolate sensitive equipment from environmental vibrations. They are used in laboratories, telescopes, cameras, and precision instruments to reduce transmitted vibrations and improve stability and measurement accuracy.

Construction and variants: They typically consist of an interface at the device and at the support structure, connected by rigid or semi-rigid arms with joints that allow angular freedom. They may include dampers, springs, or elastomer elements, and can be passive or active.

Working principle: The arms provide compliance to isolate high-frequency vibrations; the natural frequency of the isolator is chosen below most disturbing frequencies, and damping reduces resonance. Material choices include aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber; some systems use air springs for heavier loads.

Performance and selection: Key specs are load capacity, stiffness, natural frequency, damping ratio, and isolation effectiveness across frequency ranges. Consider environmental conditions and maintenance.

Applications: In optical benches and microscopy to mount objectives; in astronomical telescopes; in camera rigs and film equipment; in vibration testing setups and microelectronics assembly lines.

Installation and maintenance: Proper alignment, symmetric mounting, and periodic checks of fasteners and dampers are needed.

See also: Vibration isolation, anti-vibration mount, optical bench.