Selecting Anti-Vibration Tables for Analytical Balances

In the precision-demanding realm of analytical balances, the significance of an optimal work environment cannot be overstated. Vibration, an often-overlooked factor, can substantially affect the accuracy and reliability of your measurements. To reduce vibration, you need an anti-vibration table for analytical balance. 

Recognizing this, Kinetic Systems offers a comprehensive range of anti-vibration tables designed to meet varying requirements of load capacity, natural frequencies, and isolation performance. This article delves into the selection process of these vital components, focusing on Kinetic Systems’ offerings, like the 9100 Series High-Performance Workstations, the 1200 Series Heavy Duty Workstations, and the ELpF lightweight benchtop vibration isolation system.

What Can Affect Analytical Balances? 

Analytical balances are extremely useful for intrinsically measuring the weight of samples. As they are very sensitive, it is important that they are calibrated frequently to provide accurate measurements. Failing to do this could compromise the validity of its results.  

Some of the factors that could affect an analytical balance include: 

1. Increasing or decreasing the temperature of the sample and the room
2. Altering the sample with chemicals
3. Using the analytical balance near a magnet
4. Having a messy work area that could put the analytical balance in contact with other materials.

Vibrations and Analytical Balances 

If you want to preserve the accuracy of your measurements, you need to be aware that analytical balances could produce incorrect results due to any nearby vibrations. 

Wherever you use an analytical balance, there is going to be nearby equipment that could produce a vibration that could have an effect on your sample. A vibration could alter the amount of sample through an accidental spill or cause the mechanisms of the analytical balance to malfunction. 

To avoid inconsistent and inaccurate results, you can use an anti-vibration table for analytical balance. The table uses mounts and a robust stone surface to limit the amount of vibrations, or movement, that could reach the analytical balance. 

Load Capacity Considerations

The foremost aspect in selecting an anti-vibration table is its load capacity. Kinetic Systems’ 9100 Series High-Performance Workstations cater to equipment weighing up to 1300 lbs, making them ideal for heavy analytical balances and associated apparatus (Kinetic Systems, n.d.-a). In scenarios demanding even higher load capacities, the 1200 Series Heavy Duty Workstations are capable of isolating loads up to 2800 lbs, thus offering a vibration-free environment for sensitive instruments.

Isolation Efficiency and Natural Frequencies

Another pivotal consideration is the system’s ability to isolate vibrations. Kinetic Systems’ ELpF lightweight benchtop vibration isolation system, for instance, is engineered for lighter loads (maximum capacity of 150 lbs). It excels in providing high isolation performance with low natural frequencies, making it particularly suited for lightweight, vibration-sensitive equipment like analytical balances.

Tailoring to Specific Equipment Needs

The selection of an anti-vibration table must be aligned with the specific requirements of the analytical balance or equipment in question. This entails a thorough evaluation of the balance’s weight, sensitivity, and operational environment. Each of Kinetic Systems’ solutions, from the robust 9100 and 1200 Series to the more specialized ELpF system, is designed to address distinct scenarios, ensuring optimal performance and reliability in vibration isolation.

Choosing your Anti-Vibration Table

The selection of an appropriate anti-vibration table is a critical step in ensuring the precision and accuracy of analytical balances. Kinetic Systems offers a range of solutions tailored to various load capacities and isolation requirements. By carefully considering factors, such as load capacity, natural frequencies, and the specific needs of the equipment, laboratories and research facilities can significantly enhance the performance and reliability of their sensitive instruments.

To learn more about anti-vibration tables and how they can maintain analytical balances, please contact the specialists at Kinetic Systems.