In many instances, a precision balance cannot achieve an accurate reading without a few key accessories—a draft shield, a good pair of tongs, and of course, an anti-vibration table. Depending on your environment and the precision of the balance being used, a sturdy anti-vibration table may be required to counteract the negative impacts of any ambient conditions.

But how do they work, why are they so integral to precision weighing, and how do you know which type of table is best for your operation? Keep reading and we’ll cover all that and more.

HOW DO ANTI-VIBRATION TABLES WORK?

Wind currents aren’t the only environmental factors that can have a significant effect on weighing results. Subtle vibrations—even the ones that we can’t physically feel ourselves—can cause noticeable changes in your readings.

Anti-vibration tables reduce these effects by suspending a dense mass—typically a granite or marble slab—on which the scale is placed. The mass absorbs and isolates any local vibrations, reducing their overall impact and minimizing errors in readings. The frame suspending the mass is sometimes surrounded by a second frame—an engineering principle known as decoupling—to also account for any operator errors like accidentally bumping into the table.

TOP CAUSES OF SCALE VIBRATION

• Nearby machinery
• Outside traffic
• Seismic activity
• Heavy footsteps
• Operator error (e.g., bumping the table)

TYPES OF ANTI-VIBRATION TABLES

There are two main types of anti-vibration tables: passive and active.

1. Passive anti-vibration tables are designed to reduce vibrations through the use of specialized materials and construction techniques. These tables use dense materials (e.g., granite anti-vibration table, marble anti-vibration table, etc.) for their heavy mass, which helps to dampen vibrations. Passive anti-vibration tables are effective at reducing low-frequency vibrations, but they are less effective at reducing high-frequency vibrations.
2. Active anti-vibration tables, on the other hand, use sensors and feedback systems to actively cancel out vibrations in real time. These tables incorporate sensors that detect vibrations and feed that information to a controller that adjusts the table's actuators to counteract the vibrations. Active anti-vibration tables are effective at reducing both low-frequency and high-frequency vibrations, and they are particularly useful in environments where vibrations are constantly changing.

Both passive and active anti-vibration tables are available in various sizes and designs, and they can be customized to fit the specific needs of the user. The choice between a passive or active anti-vibration table will depend on the level of vibration in the environment and the required level of precision in measurements.

In addition to passive and active anti-vibration tables, there are also three main styles of anti-vibration table designs: freestanding, tabletop, and workstations.

1. Freestanding anti-vibration tables are standalone units that typically consist of a heavy-duty base with a solid top plate. These tables are often used for larger equipment or when a larger work area is needed. Freestanding tables are designed to be placed directly on the floor and can support heavy loads. They are often used in laboratories, manufacturing plants, and other industrial settings.

2. Tabletop anti-vibration tables are smaller, portable units that can be placed on a tabletop or other work surface. They are designed for use with smaller equipment, such as analytical balances or microscopes. Tabletop antivibration tables typically consist of a compact base with a smaller top plate. They are (relatively) lightweight and easy to move, making them ideal for applications where portability is important.

3. Anti-vibration workstations are all-in-one weighing setups that combine your workstation with your weighing station. In the center of the table is a built-in, scratch-resistant granite block that sits on rubber isolation pads for anti-vibration weighing. The table is also designed to be used with a PC for seamless data tracking. Many models include a raised surface for your monitor, a sliding shelf for your keyboard and mouse, and lockers under the table for additional equipment storage.

The choice between freestanding, tabletop, and workstation anti-vibration tables will depend on your needs, your budget, the size of the equipment being used, and the available workspace.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED AN ANTI-VIBRATION TABLE?

All scales will benefit from the use of an anti-vibration table. With that said, the degree to which that benefit is noticeable is proportional to the readability (sensitivity) of your scale. The more sensitive the scale, the more significant effect wind currents and vibrations have, and the more beneficial it is to have the tools to mitigate these effects.

If your scale has a readability of 0.001 g and higher, we highly recommend you use an anti-vibration table. Precision balances, analytical balances, micro balances, semi-micro balances, and ultra micro balances all have a readability of 0.001 g or more and would thus benefit from the use of an anti-vibration table.

PURCHASING AN ANTI-VIBRATION TABLE

Scales Plus carries a wide variety of anti-vibration tables from some of the most trusted manufacturers in the weighing industry, including Radwag, Rice Lake, and Adam Equipment. And if those brands aren’t enough, we also offer our own, first-party anti-vibration table!

The Scales Plus AL-G-2436 anti-vibration table provides a durable, black granite work surface for multiple sensitive balances or microscopes. Large isolation pads dampen and negate external vibrations to ensure a stable working surface and consistent, repeatable results.

If you have any questions about this or any other anti-vibration table, please contact our sales associates and we would be more than happy to assist you.