Instrumentation Shelves
![](https://www.thorlabs.de/Images/GuideImages/167_InstrumentationShelf_3.jpg)
- 9" x 13" or 14" x 18" Surface
- A Variety of Post or Breadboard Mounting Options
S1418
S1418
Shown on Post
S913B
S913A
S913A and S913B Shown with
MC2000B Chopper Controller
Detail of S913A Base
and Sorbothane Sheet
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Features
- Two Sizes Available for Mounting a Variety of Benchtop Instruments
- 9" x 13" (228.6 mm x 330.2 mm)
- 14" x 18" (355.6 mm x 457.2 mm)
- Some Models are Post Mountable to Conserve Optical Table Space
- Vibration Isolation Accessories for Direct Breadboard Mounting
Our Benchtop Instrumentation Shelves are ideal solutions for mounting instruments above an optical table or breadboard surface. We also offer a Benchtop Isolation Plate and Sorbothane® Sheets that help isolate mechanical noise and vibrations.
S913A Mounting Options
- Single-Shelf Post Mounting
- Post Mounting of Stacked Shelves
- Direct Breadboard Placement for Vibration Isolation Applications
A single S913A Instrument Shelf may be mounted above a breadboard, as shown in Figure 1 below. To complete this configuration, you will need the following:
- One S913A Shelf
- One Ø1.5" Post
- One PB1 Post Base (Alternative: PB2 Post Base, or a PF85B, PF125B, or PF175B Clamping Fork with a PB4 or PB4R Pedestal Base)
- 1/4"-20 Cap Screws, 3/8" Long (M6 Cap Screws, 10 mm Long for Metric Items)
The Ø1.5" post is attached to the middle of the bottom of the S913A shelf utilizing the BA2 base. Insert one 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw through the central hole of the shelf and into the counterbore of the BA2 base, and then thread this onto the post. (A detail of the underside of the shelf, showing the BA2 base, is shown in Figure 2.) Next, flip the shelf over and attach the PB1, PB2, or PB4. The shelf is now ready to be attached to the optical table or breadboard.
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Figure 1: Complete Post-Mounted S913A Assembly, Shown with Fiber-Coupled Laser Source
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Figure 2: Underside of S913A, Showing the Ø1.5" Post Mounted to the BA2 Base
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Figure 3: Stacked S913A Shelves, Shown with Fiber-Coupled Laser Sources
Post Mounting of Stacked Shelves
Several S913A shelves may be stacked above a breadboard, as shown in Figure 3 to the right. For this configuration, you will need the following:
- Two (or More) S913A Shelves
- Two Ø1.5" Posts
- C1505 Angle Brackets (Two per Shelf)
- Two PB1 Post Bases (Aternative: PB1 Post Bases or PF85B, PF125B, or PF175B Clamping Forks with PB4 or PB4R Pedestal Bases)
- 1/4"-20 Cap Screws, 3/8" Long (M6 Cap Screws, 10 mm Long for Metric Items)
Attach the C1505 Angle Brackets to the underside of either end of each S913A shelf using 1/4"-20 cap screws. Attach the PB1, PB2, or PB4 base to each Ø1.5" Post. Slide the clamp of one C1505 Bracket over the end of one Ø1.5" Post and then repeat with the second post on the other end of the shelf. Tighten down both clamping mechanisms so that the shelf is at the appropriate height and level. Repeat this process with the second shelf.
Direct Breadboard Placement for Vibration Isolation Applications
The S913A shelf features sorbothane feet designed to provide some vibration isolation for applications in which a benchtop instrument must be placed on the optical table surface. A close-up view of these feet is shown in Figure 4.
For more demanding vibration-isolation applications, Thorlabs recommends using our S913B isolation plate and sorbothane sheeting. To complete this configuration, you will need:
- One S913A Shelf
- One Sorbothane Sheet (SB12A, SB12B, or SB12C)
- One S913B Isolation Plate
Place the S913A shelf on your breadboard, with the feet facing the table. Then, cut the sorbothane sheet to fit the surface of the shelf, and lay the sheet on the shelf. Place the S913B isolation plate on top of the sorbothane sheet. This configuration is shown in Figure 5, and will provide a stable, vibration-limiting base for benchtop instruments which otherwise might disturb sensitive experiments.
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Figure 4: Detail of Vibration-Isolating Sorbothane Feet, One Located on Each Corner
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Figure 5: Vibration Isolation Solution using S913A Shelf, Sorbothane Sheet, and S913B Plate Shown with MC2000B Chopper Controller. The Inset Shows the S913A and Sorbothane Sheet Stack.
S1418 Mounting Options
- Power Strip Mounting
- Mounting with a Single Ø1.5" Post
- Multiple Post Mounting
- Direct Breadboard Placement for Vibration Isolation Applications
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Figure 1: Underside of S1418, Showing the Ø1.5" Post Mounted to the BA2 Base, and the SP620 Power Strip Mounting Feature
An additional feature of the S1418 Shelf is the ability to mount our SP620 Power Strip. To use this feature, you will need:
- One S1418 Shelf
- One SP620 Power Strip
- Four 6-32 Cap Head Screws (M3 for Metric Items)
Thread the 6-32 (M3) cap screws so that the head is slightly raised from the surface of the shelf. The SP620 power strip features four slots which accept the cap screw head; once the screw head is in the slot, push back on one end of the power strip to lock it in place. Figure 1 shows the bottom side of a shelf with a power strip attached. Power strip mounting may be used with any of the post-mounting options described below.
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Figure 2: SP1418, Mounted Using a Single Ø1.5" Post, Shown with a Mounted SP620 Power Supply and Motorized Stage Controller
Mounting with a Single Ø1.5" Post
A single S1415 shelf may be mounted above a breadboard, using a single Ø1.5" post. To complete this configuration, you will need:
- One S1418 Shelf
- One Ø1.5" Post
- One PB1 Post Base (Alternatively, a PB2 Post Base, or a PF85B, PF125B, or PF175B Clamping Fork with a PB4 or PB4R Pedestal Base)
- 1/4"-20 Cap Screws, 3/8" Long (M6 Cap Screws, 10 mm Long for Metric Items)
The Ø1.5" post is attached utilizing the BA2 base, which is supplied with the S1418 shelf. Insert the 1/4"-20 (M6) cap screw (included with the S1418 shelf) through the central hole of the shelf and into the counterbore of the BA2 base, and then thread this onto the post (A detail of the underside of the shelf, showing the BA2 base, is shown in Figure 1 above). Next, flip the shelf over, so that the PB1, PB2, or PB4 may be attached. Then, the shelf is ready to be attached to the optical table or breadboard. The completed assembly is shown in Figure 2, including a mounted SP620 power strip.
The S1415 shelf may be supported by four posts, one in each corner, which is ideal for heavy or uneven loads. The needs will depend upon which post style you choose; this mounting method will work with any of our posts with a 1/4"-20 (M6) tap, including our Ø1/2", Ø1", or Ø1.5" posts. Each of these options also features a variety of bases for securing the posts to the optical table. For example, Figure 3 shows the S1418 shelf supported by four Ø1/2" posts, post holders, and BA2 bases. Another alternative is shown in Figure 4, where the shelf is supported by four Ø1" posts and clamping forks.
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Figure 3: SP1418, Mounted Using Four Ø1/2" Posts,
Shown with a Mounted SP620 Power Supply
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Figure 4: SP1418, Mounted Using Four Ø1" Posts
Direct Breadboard Placement for Vibration Isolation Applications
For more demanding vibration-isolation applications, Thorlabs recommends using our S1418 shelf and sorbothane sheeting. To complete this configuration, you will need:
- One S1418 Shelf
- One Sorbothane Sheet (SB12A or SB12B)
Cut the sorbothane sheet to fit the surface of the shelf, and lay the sheet on the optical table or breadboard. Place the S1418 isolation plate on top of the sorbothane sheet. This configuration will provide a stable, vibration-limiting base for benchtop instruments which otherwise might disturb sensitive experiments.
For instruments smaller than 9" x 13" (228 mm x 330 mm), we recommend using our S913A Shelf, sorbothane sheet, and S913B Isolation Plate, which will provide greater levels of isolation. For details, please see the S913A Mounting tab above.
Posted Comments: | |
sharrell
 (posted 2012-09-24 09:50:00.0) Response from Sean at Thorlabs: Thank you for pointing out the error. The correct weight limit for the S1418 is 35 kg (77 lbs). We will correct the online catalog pdf as soon as possible. In addition, I noticed that this value was missing from our web presentation, it has been added there as well. cwinter
 (posted 2012-09-24 08:00:32.0) I asked myself what could be the max. loading of this shelf and found as well 35lbs as 77kg in the cataloge.
Both cannot be correct.
Please update cataloge. |
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The S913A(/M) Instrumentation Shelf measures 9" x 13" (228.6 mm x 330.2 mm) and offers flexible mounting options to maximize the space on an optical table. A centered 1/4" (M6) counterbore is provided for mounting the shelf on a Ø1.5" post and fourteen 1/4"-20 (M6) taps help hold down small benchtop instruments. As shown in the middle photo below, multiple shelves can be mounted in a stacked configuration to place several instruments in a small space. More details on these mounting options are available in the S913A Mounting tab above.
The S913B Isolation Plate also measures 9" x 13" but does not have any holes or mounting pads. For additional vibration isolation, the S913B can be placed on top of the S913A shelf with a Sorbothane® sheet (sold below) sandwiched between, as shown in the right image below. More details on this mounting option are available in the S913A Mounting tab above.
![S913A Instrumentation Shelf on One Post](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Optical_Table_Shelf_A1-150.jpg)
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S913A Shelf Mounted with a Single Ø1.5" Post
![S913A Instrumentation Shelves with Stacked Boxes](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Instrument_Shelves_A4-150.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
Stacked S913A Shelves Mounted with Multiple Ø1.5" Posts
![Instrumentation Shelf with Sorbothane](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Vibration_Isolation_A2-150.jpg)
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S913A Shelf, Sorbothane, and S913B Isolation Plate (from Bottom to Top) Vibrationally Isolate Controller Box from Optical Table
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![S1418 Instrumentation Shelf on One Post](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/tabimages/Instrument_Shelves_A2-150.jpg)
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S1418 Shelf Mounted with a Single Ø1.5" Post
![Large Instrumentation Shelf Supported by Posts](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/tabimages/Optical_Table_Shelf_A2-150.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
Stacked S1418 Shelves Mounted with Multiple Ø1/2" Posts
The S1418(/M) Instrumentation Shelf measures 14" x 18" (355.6 mm x 457.2 mm) and offers flexible mounting options to maximize the space on an optical table. A centered 1/4" (M6) counterbore is provided for mounting the shelf on a Ø1.5" post. Four 6-32 (M3), two 8-32 (M4), and eight 1/4"-20 (M6) taps help hold down larger benchtop instruments.
The shelf's maximum load capacity is 77 lbs (35 kg) when measured 6.00" (152.4 mm) off center. When large or uneven loads are to be placed on the shelf, it is recommended that the shelf be supported at all four corners. To that end, four of the 1/4"-20 (M6) tapped holes are located at the corners. These taps allow the shelf to be supported by our Ø1/2" posts. The 6-32 (M3) tapped holes offer easy integration of our SP620 Power Strip.
For additional details on all of the mounting options mentioned here, please see the S1418 Mounting tab above.
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![](https://www.thorlabs.de/images/TabImages/Vibration_Isolation_A2-150.jpg)
Click to Enlarge
SS913A Shelf, Sorbothane, and S913B Isolation Plate (from Bottom to Top) Vibrationally Isolate Controller Box from Optical Table
- 12" x 12" (305 mm x 305 mm) Sheet Size with 1/8" (3.2 mm), 1/4" (6.4 mm), or 1/2" (12.7 mm) Thickness
- Easy to Cut and Shape for Multiple Uses
- Hardness: 70 Durometer
These pliable Sorbothane Sheets are ideal for isolating mechanical noise or vibrations. The substrate absorbs up to 95.5% of impact energy and reforms to its original shape. For objects over 5 lbs (approx. 2.2 kg), the thicker 1/4" (SB12B) or 1/2" (SB12C) sheets are recommended. Sorbothane sheets may be hand-cut, die-cut, or kiss-cut to suit various custom applications. Please contact Technical Support to request Sorbothane sheets with a lower hardness.
These sheets are ideal for placement between our S913A shelf and S913B isolation plate, as pictured to the right. For more information, please see the S913A Mounting tab above.
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- 12" x 12" (305 mm x 305 mm) Adhesive Sheets
- SB12D: Two-Sided Adhesive Sheet for Semi-Permanent Setups
- SB12E: One-Sided Adhesive Sheet with Felt Backing to Prevent Surface Marring from Sorbothane
- Sheets Sized for Compatiblity with Sorbothane Sheets (Sold Above)
- Can be Cut to Size for Use with Sorbothane Feet
These Adhesive Sheets are designed to be used with our Sorbothane mounting feet or sheets. The SB12D sheet, which has two adhesive surfaces, is ideal for semi-permanent applications where the sorbothane surface will not have to be moved often. Our SB12E sheet, which has one adhesive and one felt surface, prevents the sorbothane from marking or marring the table surface that they are placed on.
These sheets are sized to fit directly under our 12" x 12" (305 mm x 305 mm) sorbothane sheets, but can also be cut down to fit under our sorbothane mounting feet.