Gimbal Piston™ Isolators and Rigid Supports

Free-Standing Posts are a convenient alternative to posts with tiebars when open access between the posts is necessary. Though generally configured in sets of 4 and 6 legs, other configurations include 3 and 5 legs.

The independent posts offer the maximum flexibility in post positioning with respect to the Optical Top.

Free-Standing Posts are especially convenient for supporting large coupled table systems.

1. Determine whether vibration isolation (Gimbal Piston Isolators) is required or whether rigid, non-resonant support (Rigid Leveling Stand) is adequate.
   
2. Calculate the required capacity by adding the equipment load to the optical top weight. Top weight is equal to top area times the weight factor from the bottom of the optical top selection charts. Generally, 2 in.(50 mm) and 4 in. (100 mm) thick tops use 11 and 12 prefix posts, and 8 in. (200 mm) and 12 in. (300 mm) tops require 13 and 14 prefix tops.
3. Choose the indicated catalog number from the ordering chart.
   
4. 4-Post Systems are recommended for most applications. Other configurations require that total capacity exceeds optical top mass plus equipment load by a factor of 2. Choose the desired number of posts.
   
5. Leveling screws may be provided in the corners of the baseplate. This optional feature is of great assistance on larger tables and in labs with uneven floors. To specify, change the fourth digit of the catalog number from “3” to “4” (for example, 14-135-00 becomes 14-145-00). Note that this will add one inch (25 mm) to the overall height.
6. Height control valve kits (included with 4-Post and 6-Post Systems) must be specified when ordering individual posts. Choose valve kit from the bottom of the chart corresponding to the chosen posts. Note that if more than 4 posts are combined, a suffix must be added to the valve kit corresponding to the number of posts (e.g., for 8 of 14-134-00, the correct valve kit is SV-14-8).
   
7. Contact TMC when in doubt and for unusual configurations.
   
   Note: Tiebars are not compatible with Free-Standing Individual Posts.