[3dem] Anti-vibration platforms for TEM

[Bob Grassucci]

Hi John,
We have an active anti vibration system and an active field cancelling 
system on the 5th floor of of a building in Manhattan. The field 
cancelling system has been fine but the anti-vibration system had to be 
re-tuned when the center of gravity changed upon mounting our K2 
camera.  The FEI microscopes are mounted on air bags which damp most 
vibrations and if FEI says that the suites pass their tests then I also 
would be less concerned.  Were the site tests by FEI done during a busy 
time of day?  That might give you a clue.  The only potential issue you 
might have with the platform is the height it adds to the scope.  Do you 
want to be climbing up to the scope to use it?  It could help but it is 
debatable whether it is necessary. The thing about building budgets is 
that if you don't use it right away and need it later these funds are 
gone.  Good luck.  I am sure there are others on the list with more insight.
Bob

On 4/8/2014 10:52 AM, John Rubinstein wrote:
> Dear Colleagues,
>
> We are in the process of building an EM suite in our new research tower in downtown Toronto. The facility will soon house existing FEI TF20, T20, and SEM instruments, and will likely house additional/replacement instruments in the near future.
>
> We have located space on the 6th floor of the tower that comfortably passes FEI's vibration and EMI requirements (above the magnetic fields from subways, streetcars, and power transformers and below the portion of the building with significant low-frequency swaying). However, our architect's acoustics/vibration consultants are concerned about foot-fall vibrations. Our (very experienced) FEI engineer and I are less concerned. (The standard technique of cutting the slab beneath the microscope to uncouple it from the main slab does not work on the 6th floor unless one wishes to end up on the 5th floor).
>
> The acoustics/vibration consultants are advocating the use of anti-vibration platforms beneath the instruments. I have never before seen these platforms used with transmission electron microscopes but would be happy to include them if they make the microscope even more stable. If anybody has experience with antivibration platforms for TEM, I would appreciate hearing about it, particularly about any possible negative negative consequences you may have had. We have ample floor to ceiling space in the building and a generous construction budget for the project, so those factors are not a concern.
>
> Thanks and best wishes,
> John
>
>
> --
> John Rubinstein
> Molecular Structure and Function Program
> The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute
> 686 Bay Street, Rm. 20-9705
> Toronto, ON
> Canada
> M5G 0A4
> Tel: (+001) 416-813-7255
> Fax: (+001) 416-813-5022
> www.sickkids.ca/research/rubinstein
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