Search the CONFOCAL archive at
http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal

Sam -

I would like to add that vibration isolation and dampening is a 
complex subject and while one solution will work fine under certain 
conditions it may be nearly useless or even harmful under others. For 
example a heavy table on elastic elements (tennis balls, tire tubes) 
will most likely isolate pretty well, at least from higher 
frequencies, but the dampening will be very limited, i.e. once the 
system gets excited (e.g. by touching it or by a built-in fan), it 
will continue to vibrate for a long time. "Active" air tables (the 
ones that sound like Darth Vader on steroids when you push them) will 
be better in that respect. Truly active systems, typically piezo 
platforms or tables, will be much better still. It's also important 
to notice that a system may react very differently depending on the 
direction of the disturbances or vibrations. With exception of the 
truly active systems, all have their (direction-specific) resonance 
frequencies, so if these frequencies exist in your environment, the 
table may actually amplify them.
So depending on your situation, location and application (e.g. simple 
imaging vs. long-term patch clamping) you may want to start with a 
cheap solution and upgrade as necessary, or take a good guess by look 
at what other people doing applications in similar environments have, 
or get the best solution you can afford, or have an expert measure 
and analyze your system and environment.

Beat


At 06:10 09-02-2007, you wrote:

>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
>Here we use a granite slab resting on a car inner tube.  That you 
>can inflate lightly to give a bit of air cushioning.
>Last longer than squash balls.  Suprisingly computer mouse pads are 
>not bad either!
>
>________________________________
>
>From: Confocal Microscopy List on behalf of Wadsworth Samuel
>Sent: Thu 2/8/2007 7:18 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Anti-vibration tables
>
>
>
>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
>Thanks Ian, that certainly sounds cheaper than buying in some expensive
>active-dampening version.  I hear squash balls and a slab of concrete
>also work well!
>
>Now to see what's at the back of those cupboards!
>
>Sam
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
>Behalf Of Morrison, Ian E
>Sent: 08 February 2007 17:09
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Anti-vibration tables
>
>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
>Sam, one of the best vibration filters is stacks of ~50 paper or thin
>card sheets, placed under the legs of a fairly heavy table.  The old
>computer cards that were used in the 70s are ideal - maybe you can find
>some in a dusty cupboard.  Ian
>
>-------------------------------Dr. I.E.G.Morrison
>[log in to unmask]
>                                Dept.Biological Sciences, University of
>Essex
>                                Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ
>-------------------------------Tel: 01206-872246           Fax:
>01206-872592----------------------------
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Confocal Microscopy List [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
>Behalf Of Csucs Gabor
>Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2007 4:57 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Anti-vibration tables
>
>
>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
>Dear Sam,
>
>I'd advise you to use such an anti-vibration table, however it doesn't
>need to be an expensive one (thick with active dampening). Actually a
>heavy stone (marble/granite/...) table lying on some air filled
>tubes/tennis balls (or something similar) will do it in most of the
>cases.
>
>Cheers    Gabor
>
>--
>Gabor Csucs
>Light Microscopy Centre, ETH Zurich
>Schafmattstrasse 18, HPM D8.1
>CH-8093, Zurich, Switzerland
>
>Web: www.lmc.ethz.ch
>Phone: +41 44 633 6221
>Fax: +41 44 632 1298
>e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
>This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an attachment
>may still contain software viruses, which could damage your computer system:
>you are advised to perform your own checks. Email communications with the
>University of Nottingham may be monitored as permitted by UK legislation.