Newport Introduces New VIBe – Vibration Isolation Baseplate for Microscopes

Newport Corporation, a worldwide leader in lasers and photonics solutions that Make, Manage and Measure Light®, introduced a new table-top vibration isolation platform designed specifically for sensitive instrumentation and microscopes.  The VIBe, vibration isolation baseplate, is a compact, effective and easy-to-use platform that significantly reduces vibrations that can disturb sensitive instruments.  The VIBe is available in four standard shapes, two rectangular and two triangular, that have been designed to satisfy the widest range of application needs.  All VIBe units feature a black powder-coated steel plate and patented mechanical isolators that provide both vertical and horizontal vibration isolation, there are no air lines, compressors or other accessories needed to provide effective isolation performance.

Fundamental to Newport’s VIBe are the IB isolator bearings which are available in discrete payload ranges, as identified by their part number.  In total, Newport offers six models of IB bearings that effectively cover a load range from 10 lbs. to 100 lbs.  This allows users to configure the proper size platform and bearings in the required locations on the baseplate to support and isolate their instrument, even if the load is not uniform.

The isolators feature a 6.7Hz vertical resonance frequency that begins isolating at 9Hz and a horizontal resonance of 6.2Hz with isolation beginning at 9Hz.  This is sufficient performance to eliminate more than 85% of vibration noise seen within typical laboratories.  The IB bearings attach to the VIBe baseplate using specially designed brackets that feature a threaded aperture to allow leveling adjustment of the VIBe baseplate.

The two rectangular platforms come in 12” x 18” and 18” x 24” sizes and can be equipped with isolator bearings to support payloads from 5 lbs. to over 350 lbs.  The triangular models have been designed specifically to accommodate a large assortment of microscope footprints from all leading manufacturers.  Special shapes and sizes are also available on request.

Newport’s VIBe is an economical and maintenance-free solution to protect sensitive instruments from laboratory vibrations.  Common applications include isolation of microscopes, rheometers, inspection and analysis instrumentation and sample preparation stations.  In addition to the standard offering of VIBe components, Newport also offers customized baseplates or individual IB isolators for easy integration into OEM systems.

For a full specifications listing and part numbers, visit www.newport.com/vibe.  A video overview is also available on www.youtube.com search for “Newport VIBe”.

About Newport Corporation

Newport Corporation is a leading global supplier of advanced-technology products and systems to customers in the scientific research, microelectronics manufacturing, aerospace and defense/security, life and health sciences and precision industrial manufacturing markets.  Newport’s innovative solutions leverage its expertise in high-power semiconductor, solid-state and ultrafast lasers, photonics instrumentation, sub-micron positioning systems, vibration isolation, optical subsystems and precision automation to enhance the capabilities and productivity of its customers’ manufacturing, engineering and research applications. Newport is part of the Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index and the Russell 2000 Index.