THORLABS PWA090 User manual

PWA090
Benchtop, Electronic Self-levelling,
Vibration Isolation System
User Guide
Original Instructions

2
Contents
Chapter 1 Safety ..............................................................................................3
1.1 Safety Information ...................................................................................3
1.2 General Warnings ...................................................................................3
Chapter 2 Overview ........................................................................................4
2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................4
Chapter 3 Installation .....................................................................................5
3.1 Installation ...............................................................................................5
3.1.1 Siting .................................................................................................................. 5
3.1.2 Environmental Conditions .................................................................................. 5
3.1.3 Mounting ............................................................................................................ 6
3.1.4 Electrical Connections ........................................................................................ 7
3.1.5 Pneumatic Connections ..................................................................................... 8
3.2 Fitting/Removing The breadboard ........................................................10
3.2.1 Switching ON ................................................................................................... 11
Chapter 4 Set Up ...........................................................................................13
4.1 Front Panel Controls and Indicators .....................................................13
4.2 Menu System Overview ........................................................................13
4.2.1 Set Up Menu .................................................................................................... 14
4.3 Initial Set Up ..........................................................................................15
4.3.1 Units Selection ................................................................................................. 15
4.3.2 Weight/Pressure (Default PID) Selection ......................................................... 16
4.3.3 Switching ON Active Leveling .......................................................................... 17
4.4 Levelling the System .............................................................................18
4.4.1 Settle Position .................................................................................................. 18
4.4.2 Error Band ........................................................................................................ 19
4.5 Further Tuning and PID Parameter Adjustment ....................................20
4.6 Save Settings ........................................................................................25
4.7 Return ...................................................................................................25
Appendices
Appendix A Connector Pinout Detail ..........................................................26
Appendix A Load Position and Stability......................................................27
Appendix B Preventive Maintenance ..........................................................28
Appendix C Specifications............................................................................29
Appendix D Regulatory ................................................................................29
Appendix E Thorlabs Worldwide Contacts ................................................32

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Chapter 1 Safety
1.1 Safety Information
For the continuing safety of the operators of this equipment, and the protection of the
equipment itself, the operator should take note of the Warnings, Cautions and Notes
throughout this handbook and, where visible, on the product itself.
The following safety symbols may be used throughout the ha ndbook and on the
equipment itself.
1.2 General Warnings
Shock Warning
Given when there is a risk of injury from electrical shock.
Warning
Given when there is a risk of injury to users.
Caution
Given when there is a risk of damage to the product.
Note
Clarification of an instruction or additional information.
Warnings
If this equipment is used in a manner not specified by the manufacturer, the
protection provided by the equipment may be impaired. In particular,
excessive moisture may impair operation.
Spillage of fluid, such as sample solutions, should be avoided. If spillage does
occur, clean up immediately using absorbant tissue. Do not allow spilled fluid
to enter the internal mechanism.

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Chapter 2 Overview
2.1 Introduction
The PWA090 electronic, self-levelling, vibration isolation system, provides a portable,
lightweight, low-profile vibration-control solution for sen sitive benchtop equipment
and experiments.
The system comprises a set of four pneumatic isolators (which must be connected to
a compressed air supply) and an electronic control box.
The control box allows manual adjustment of the level via a keypad. Once set up, the
level is maintained and any further disturbances are corrected automatically.
Fig. 2.1 Benchtop, electronic self levelling vibration isolation system

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Chapter 3 Installation
3.1 Installation
3.1.1 Siting
The system is designed to be mounted on a benchtop or similar surface. The isolators
can be used free stand ing to p rovide a temporary isolation solution. For more
permenant applications, the isolators can be bolted to an imperial or metric tapped
work surface - see Section 3.1.3. for more details
3.1.2 Environmental Conditions
Location Indoor use only
Maximum altitude 2000 m
Temperature range 5oC to 40oC
Maximum Humidity Less than 80% RH (non-condensing) at 31°C
To ensure reliable operation the system should not be exposed to corrosive agents or
excessive moisture, heat or dust.
If the system has been stored at a low tem perature or in an environment of high
humidity, it must be allowed to reach ambient conditions before being powered up.
3.1.3 Mounting
1) Position the isolators at least 400 mm (16”) apart and inside the footprint of the
breadboard (a typical set up is shown in Fig. 3.1 on the next page). Ensure that
the leg AIR IN and FEEDBACK connections are facing outwards and easily
accessible.
Caution
When positioning the isolators, ensure that the benchtop or mounting
surface is level. The legs have an adjustment range of ± 2.5 mm only.
Warning
Operation outside the following environmental limits may adversely affect
system performance and could endanger operator safety.
Caution
Heavy loads may require the isolators to be positioned further apart to
ensure good stability - see Table 3.1 for more details.

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Chapter 3
Fig. 3.1 Positioning the isolators
2) The base plate of each leg is fitted with four slotted holes to enable secure fixing
to the work surface. T he orientation of the legs, when mounting to imperial and
metric tapped surfaces is shown below.
Fig. 3.2 Leg orientation for imperial and metric surfaces
3) If required, bolt the legs to the worksurface.
Note
The mounts can also be used to upgrade the PFR series rigid support frames.
4” (100 mm) 4” (100 mm)
4”
(100 mm)
4”
(100 mm)
ImperialMetric

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Benchtop, Self Levelling Vibration Isolation System
3.1.4 Electrical Connections
1) Using the leads supplied, connect the Feedback terminals on the master legs, to
the corresponding LEG 1, LEG 2 and LEG 3 FEEDBACK INPUT connections on
the control box - see Fig. 3.3 and Fig. 3.4. The slave leg has no feedback terminal.
2) Connect the control box to the power supply shipped with the unit but DO NOT
apply power.
Fig. 3.3 Rear panel FEEDBACK connection
Fig. 3.4 Leg FEEDBACK connection
Shock Warning
The unit must be connected only to the power supply unit supplied.
DC 15V 1A
AIR IN
FEEDBACK INPUT
LEG 1 LEG 2 LEG 3
_
+
DC 15V 1A
AIR IN
FEEDBACK INPUT
LEG 1 LEG 2 LEG 3
_
+

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Chapter 3
3.1.5 Pneumatic Connections
1) Using the 6mm outside diameter nylon tubing, connect the pneumatic connectors
on each master leg, to the LEG 1, LEG 2 and LEG 3 PNEUMATIC OUT PUT
connections on the control box - see Fig. 3.6 and Fig. 3.7. Note that the slave leg
is driven by a master leg - see item (2).
Fig. 3.5 T piece connections
Fig. 3.6 Front panel PNEUMATIC OUTPUT connections
Caution
When cutting the tubing to the required length, ensure that all cuts are made
at 90° to allow the tube to fit flush against the end stop – see Fig. 3.5.
The push-in connectors on the T-pieces and bulkhead fittings accept the nylon
tube in two steps.
LEG 1
PNEUMATIC OUTPUT
LEG 2 LEG 3

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Benchtop, Self Levelling Vibration Isolation System
Fig. 3.7 Pneumatic connections
2) Using the 6mm outside diameter nylon tubing and the T-piece supplied, connect
the slave leg to one of the master legs as shown below.
Fig. 3.8 Slave Leg connections
3) Ensure that the air supply is turned OFF, then connect the AIR IN terminal on the
Control Box (see Fig. 3.3) to the compressed air supply.
Warning
The air supply may come from an air line, a compressed gas bottle, or a small
compressor dedicated to this installation. In all cases the supply to the
isolators must be delivered through a pressure regulator.
LEG 1
PNEUMATIC OUTPUT
LEG 2 LEG 3
To LEG connector
on Control Box

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Chapter 3
3.2 Fitting/Removing The breadboard
A Installation
1) Perform the installation procedures as detailed in Section 3.1.
2) Fit the lifting handles supplied to the breadboard as shown in below.
Fig. 3.9 Fitting the breadboard
3) Observing the warnings listed above, lift the breadboard into position - see
Fig. 3.9.
Warning
During item (3):
Breadboards should be manipulated using the lifting handles supplied. If
these are not available, use appropriate lifting equipment.
Breadboards must be lifted by two people and standard lifting safety
precautions must be observed.
Breadboards should be lifted only in an unpopulated condition.
When lowering the breadboard into position, take care not to trap fingers or
clothing.