Low frequency vibration and shock can affect the accuracy, repeatability and throughput of precision measuring, positioning and manufacturing equipment. Since finer resolution of a finished product is required, manufacturing, metrology, engineering and research facilities require increased dynamic stability. Low frequency and ultra-low frequency vibration isolation is a method of improving the current vibration environment to achieve a significant increase in precision manufacturing accuracy or to offer a solution which approaches the “vibration free” domain.
Vibrations originating from machines or other sources (acoustically) are transmitted to a support structure such as a facility floor, and can cause a detrimental environment and unwanted levels of
vibration.
Some of the equipment and processes affected by vibration include precision machine tools, coordinate measuring machines, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI/NMR) equipment, laboratory and semiconductor processing equipment.
The purpose of vibration isolation is to control unwanted vibration so that its adverse effects are kept within acceptable limits. Isolators are designed to provide vibration and shock protection to these and other types of equipment.