The SM-1 negative-stiffness isolator is the basic building block of the FP-1 Floor Platform and other heavy multiple isolator systems. They can be placed on pedestals and topped with custom table tops. They require no air or electricity.

This isolator has the same basic features of our all passive, negative-stiffness, manually-adjustable bench top isolators. It offers our very-low frequency isolation performance for payloads of many thousands of pounds.

The SM-1 isolator can be used alone or with any number of additional units to achieve higher capacity systems. They can be arranged in many geometrical configurations to suit your application.

The FP-1 consists of a large platform, two or three Minus K® SM-1 negative-stiffness vibration isolators, outriggers which connect the platform to the isolators, isolator floor and jack screw plates which help to spread the load on the floor and ballast weights.

Minus K's FP-1 floor platforms can be made for SEM, TEM, STEM or other custom needs. Platforms have been made to handle over 8 tons on four SM-1 isolators. The use of the FP-1 floor platforms have made it possible to place a TEM on the 5th floor of a building and still bring the TEM into the manufacturer's specifications.

The system can achieve natural frequencies of 0.5 Hz or less, vertical and horizontal, with all external line, hoses and cables disconnected from the isolated payload and the internal isolators locked out. (with most microscopes the external lines, hoses and cables have a relatively small effect on the isolation system performance).

The SEM scanned images with and without the Minus K isolation were done on a Hitachi S-4800 SEM

More information:

SM_1 Spec Sheet.pdf