1. What Is an Air-Spring Isolation Platform?

1.1 How Air-Spring Isolation Works

An air-spring isolation platform uses air springs to isolate vibration. Its core principle is:

1. Air-film formation: compressed air is injected into the air chamber through precision orifices, forming a uniform air film between the tabletop and the supports
2. Low-stiffness support: the air film has extremely low stiffness, greatly reducing the system's natural frequency (down to 1–3 Hz)
3. Vibration isolation: when the vibration frequency > natural frequency × √2, vibration is effectively isolated

Key advantage: the natural frequency is far lower than that of damping isolation platforms (3–9 Hz), enabling effective isolation in the 1–5 Hz band.

1.2 Air-Spring vs. Damping Isolation: Core Differences

Conclusion: Air-spring isolation platforms significantly outperform damping isolation in the low-frequency band (1–5 Hz), making them ideal for precision optical experiments that are more sensitive to vibration.

1.3 Air-Spring vs. Active Isolation: Applicable Scenarios

Conclusion: If the equipment's vibration tolerance is >10 μm/s, air-spring isolation offers better value; if it is <5 μm/s, active isolation is mandatory

2. Which Scenarios Are Suitable for Air-Spring Isolation Platforms?

2.1 Suitable Equipment Types

2.2 Suitable Laboratory Environments

2.3 Typical Application Cases

3. Key Selection Points for Air-Spring Isolation Platforms

3.1 Interpreting the Key Parameters

(1) Natural frequency

The natural frequency is the most important parameter of an air-spring isolation platform, as it determines the lowest frequency the platform can effectively isolate.

• The lower the natural frequency, the wider the effective isolation band
• Industry standard: the natural frequency of an air-spring isolation platform should be <3 Hz (vertical)

(2) Isolation efficiency

Isolation efficiency reflects the platform's ability to isolate vibration at specific frequencies.

• Excellent air-spring isolation platforms: isolation efficiency >95%
• Industry-leading level: isolation efficiency >98%

(3) Load capacity

Choose an appropriate load range based on equipment weight to avoid overloading or insufficient capacity.

(4) Leveling method

Air-spring isolation platforms usually feature pneumatic auto-leveling:

• Auto-leveling accuracy: ±0.5–2 mm
• Manual leveling: for limited-budget scenarios

3.2 Supporting Equipment Requirements

An air-spring isolation platform requires a matching silent air compressor:

Both the LeadTop ZDT-P and ZDT-B Series support the silent compressor option.

4. LeadTop ZDT-P vs. ZDT-B: How to Choose?

4.1 Product Parameter Comparison

4.2 Technical Difference Analysis

(1) ZDT-P Series: semi-diaphragm air spring

Technical features:

• Uses a semi-diaphragm air spring structure
• Pneumatic auto-leveling, easy to operate
• Natural frequency 1.0–2.0 Hz (vertical)
• 95% isolation efficiency

Applicable scenarios:

• Precision optical experiments
• Interferometry
• Confocal microscope
• Isolation for precision equipment with limited budgets

Selection advice: the best value choice, suitable for most precision optical applications.

(2) ZDT-B Series: air spring + pendulum structure

Technical features:

• Innovative design: a composite of air spring + pendulum structure
• The pendulum principle achieves an ultra-low horizontal natural frequency (1.0–1.5 Hz)
• 99% isolation efficiency, industry-leading
• Bidirectional low-frequency isolation (horizontal/vertical)

Applicable scenarios:

• High-precision confocal microscope
• Precision interferometry
• Microscopy imaging systems
• Equipment sensitive to horizontal vibration

Selection advice: the high-end choice, suitable for applications with extremely demanding isolation efficiency.

4.3 Selection Decision Table

Key takeaway: With a limited budget and routine applications, choose the ZDT-P Series; for ultimate isolation efficiency or sensitivity to horizontal vibration, choose the ZDT-B Series.

5. Precautions for Using Air-Spring Isolation Platforms

5.1 Installation Requirements

5.2 Routine Maintenance

5.3 Troubleshooting Common Problems

6. LeadTop Air-Spring Isolation Platform Service Capabilities

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is the air compressor of an air-spring isolation platform noisy?

LeadTop air-spring isolation platforms are paired with silent air compressors; models with noise <55 dB are recommended to meet laboratory environment requirements. Both the ZDT-P and ZDT-B Series support the silent compressor option.

Q2: Does an air-spring isolation platform require continuous power?

The air-spring isolation platform itself does not require power (passive isolation principle), but the supporting air compressor does. A regulated power supply is recommended to ensure stable air pressure.

Q3: Can an air-spring isolation platform be used in a teaching laboratory?

Yes, but the vibration environment should be assessed. If a teaching laboratory has frequent foot traffic and high vibration, air-spring isolation is recommended over damping isolation for better low-frequency isolation.

Q4: Which is more suitable for a confocal microscope, ZDT-P or ZDT-B?

Both are suitable. If your budget is limited, the ZDT-P is sufficient; for ultimate image stability, the ZDT-B is recommended (99% isolation efficiency and a lower horizontal natural frequency).

Q5: How do I determine whether my laboratory needs air-spring or active isolation?

We recommend contacting LeadTop for a free vibration environment diagnosis. If measurements show that vibration in the 0.5–5 Hz band exceeds the limit and the equipment is sensitive to ultra-low frequencies, active isolation is recommended; otherwise, air-spring isolation offers better value.

8. Summary

With their low natural frequency (1–3 Hz) and high isolation efficiency (90–99%), air-spring isolation platforms have become the mainstream choice for precision optical experiments.

LeadTop offers two air-spring isolation products:

• ZDT-P Series: the value choice, with a 1.0–2.0 Hz natural frequency and 95% isolation efficiency, ideal for routine precision optical applications
• ZDT-B Series: the high-end choice, with a 1.0–1.5 Hz (horizontal) natural frequency and 99% isolation efficiency, ideal for high-precision microscopy imaging

Selection advice:

• Limited budget, routine applications → ZDT-P Series
• Pursuing ultimate isolation efficiency → ZDT-B Series

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Written by Nanchang LeadTop Technology Co., Ltd., this article aims to provide professional air-spring isolation selection guidance for precision optics users.