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Vibration Isolation Tables and Acoustic Enclosures for MFP-3D™ Systems

System isolation plays an important role in image quality. Our MFP-3D Systems inherently have some of the lowest noise specifications in the industry, however, both acoustic and floor noise can impact even the most quiet instruments. Asylum Research offers a variety of isolation tables and integrated acoustic enclosures for our MFP-3D Stand Alone (SA) Systems and Inverted Optical (IO) Systems that will optimize instrument performance.

Because each facility environment is different, we recommend an on-site inspection of your facility. Alternatively we will send you our acoustic measurement kit to assess the noise levels in the area where your instrument will be located. To ensure the lowest noise, we recommend these facility specifications:

• Concrete slab on the first floor or basement.
• Position away from noisy instruments or devices such as pumps, air conditioning units, elevators, or heavy traffic areas.
• Position away from air flows such as HVAC vents, constantly opening doors, and high traffic areas.

Because of the sensitivity inherent in AFM systems, we highly recommend vibration isolation for all systems.

Vibration Tables

For vibration tables, we recommend a choice between Minus K’s® passive table or Herzan’s active table. These tables can be used either alone or integrated into the AEK isolation hood (see table below).

Herzan Table Stable Series

The Herzan Table Stable (TS) provides an actively damped frequency of 0.7-1000Hz. A precise automatic level adjustment mechanism allows convenient handling of different loads without any user intervention.

• Isolation begins at 0.7Hz, increasing rapidly to 40dB.
• Active 0.7 to 1000Hz; passive beyond 1000Hz.
• No low frequency resonance.
• 500 times stiffer than air tables.
• Isolation of all six possible translational and rotational modes of vibration.
• Automatic leveling.
• Two models available (see table).

Minus K BM Series

The Minus K Biscuit passive vibration isolation tables are ideal for attenuating low-frequency building and ground vibrations (1-80Hz) when using the MFP-3D.

• Guaranteed 1/2Hz natural frequencies, both vertical and horizontal.
• 10X better than top-performance air tables.
• Performance superior to the higher priced active systems.
• No air or electrical power required.
• Patented negative-stiffness technology.
• Totally passive, just springs and flexures.
• No maintenance, nothing to wear out.
• Manual leveling (automatic leveling optional).
• Easy to use, easy to move compact bench top platforms).

TS vs BM Series

Model	TS Series	BM Series
Isolation	Active 0.7 to 1000Hz, Passive beyond 1000Hz.	Passive to 0.5Hz
Noise	Noise <50 ng/square root of Hz from 0.1-200Hz in any direction	0.5Hz natural frequency, X, Y, Z.

Acoustic Enclosures – Complete Vibration Isolation

Our acoustic enclosures offer unprecedented noise and vibration protection. On the AEK 2002 model, the hood frame is made of powder coated steel tubing. The chamber has a powder coated steel exterior and a proprietary layered interior which provides the ultimate sound insulation over various frequencies. The hood fits either the optional Minus K (AEK 2002 only) or the Herzan vibration tables.

The AEK hood is designed with a front window, an adjustable stand inside the hood for resting the MFP Head while changing cantilevers, two side cable clamps, swiveling casters, and leveling feet. The AEK 2002 is a smaller hood designed for use with MFP-3D-SA Systems or smaller MFP-3D-BIO Systems. The AEK 2002 may be used with either the TS or BM-4 vibration isolation tables for use inside the hood.

The BCH-45 is designed for the larger footprint MFP-3D-BIO systems such as those with illumination pillars, side mounted cameras, lamphouses, and epi-fluorescence, TIRF, or confocal attachments. Note that the BCH-45 replaces the AEK 5004 acoustic hood mentioned in the downloadable data sheet. Contact Asylum Research for facility specifications for the BCH-45.

Model	50BM-4	TS-140	TS-150
Hood compatibility	AEK 2002	AEK 2002	AEK 2002
Load	50 lbs.	220 lbs.	242 lbs.
Dims	16.75x16.75x8.5"	19.625x26.625x3.3"	18x18x3"
Weight	60 lbs	35 lbs.	40 lbs.

Model	AEK 2002	BCH-45
Dims	30w x 31.5d x 55.25h" open 30 x 31.5 x 67.5" closed 21 x 28d x 24h usable space inside	45" hexagon outside, by 79" tall
Weight	810 lbs.	930 lbs.