Thread: surface plate stand

I am making a mobile surface plate stand. The plan is to balance the plate on three points as recommended.

My floor level is doubtful in some parts. I was going to just place the plate on a small piece of thick waffle pad on the stand? or is it more benificial to fit adjusting bolts so as to ensure the plate is sea level level or can it be at a slight incline....should the floor levels so dictate

I'd say 99.9% of the time it wont matter a stuff.

How big a plate are you talking about?

Stuart

24x36
I am just about to get it of the box it came in when Greg did the group buy for us. (The box is open tho....its being aged)
I cant think of a reason why either Stuart....but thought i would ask the question...just in case

I think ultimately it's more important that the plate is supported in much the same way as when it was calibrated. Whether it sits on a slight incline is neither here nor there.

Simon

Originally Posted by eskimo

I cant think of a reason why either

Well if its level and the top of something you place on top of it is also level then you know its parallel.
Now how often do you think you'll need to do that?? I'm sure there are other reasons.

My plate stand is pretty much a scaled down copy of Phil's. Sure I can set it better than 0.02mm/m, but I haven't checked it since the day I set it up.
I assume a mobile one would need to be much lower.

I'm confused by airys points and waffle board?

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Well if its level and the top of something you place on top of it is also level then you know its parallel.
Now how often do you think you'll need to do that?? I'm sure there are other reasons.

My plate stand is pretty much a scaled down copy of Phil's. Sure I can set it better than 0.02mm/m, but I haven't checked it since the day I set it up.
I assume a mobile one would need to be much lower.

I'm confused by airys points and waffle board?

Stuart

waffle pad
is it just me as I cant upload pics, or is it still down...but here is a link to a pic

Anti-Vibration Waffle Pads - WILREP LTD.

airys points???... three points of contact on top of the table for plate

Originally Posted by eskimo

airys points???... three points of contact on top of the table for plate

Yeah... I think thats what they are called but Mr Airy worked out where to support a beam, and that seems to be around the same numbers used in the 3 point mount.

Not sure where you plan to put the waffle pad but if you use it I wouldn't worry about trying to level the plate. But as always it depends on just how "close" you are trying to get and how often.

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Yeah... I think thats what they are called but Mr Airy worked out where to support a beam, and that seems to be around the same numbers used in the 3 point mount.

Not sure where you plan to put the waffle pad but if you use it I wouldn't worry about trying to level the plate. But as always it depends on just how "close" you are trying to get and how often.

Stuart

i was only going to use waffle pad sort on like an anti dampener instead of having granite to steel contact...
not really for anti vibration but a hard contact in touch with a brittle subject could cause a crack?

Use some firm rubber (conveyor belt for example)
Airy points are the points that have been worked out as causing the least sag due to gravity when a beam/ slab is supported on 3 points.

Michael

Originally Posted by Michael G

Airy points are the points that have been worked out as causing the least sag due to gravity when a beam/ slab is supported on 3 points,

To be fair the 3 points under a plate aren't Airy's work. He was big on straightness of a beam and parallel ends. He dealt with single axis beams.

Pretty sure it was Friedrich Bessel that finished up with the Bessel zero sag theory. Hence forth they are Bessel points under a surface plate. Not Airy point's.

Regards Phil

Originally Posted by Machtool

To be fair the 3 points under a plate aren't Airy's work. He was big on straightness of a beam and parallel ends. He dealt with single axis beams.

Pretty sure it was Friedrich Bessel that finished up with the Bessel zero sag theory. Hence forth they are Bessel points under a surface plate. Not Airy point's.

Regards Phil

Ah Ah now I know what they are on about.... I was thinking you all couldnt understand me and was calling my comments as a lot of hot air...or something

The stand is mostly completed ...see attached pic...I tried but no go
Just need to make some draws, a shelf, paint and put the plate on

I would not bother with leveling pads for something designed to be mobile. When I built the stand for one of my surface plates I made it so I could move it around with the pallet jack. You will need some sturdy castors under it to handle the weight. Maybe some brakes as well if it takes off on you

Originally Posted by .RC.

I would not bother with leveling pads for something designed to be mobile. When I built the stand for one of my surface plates I made it so I could move it around with the pallet jack. You will need some sturdy castors under it to handle the weight. Maybe some brakes as well if it takes off on you

4 x 500kg castors 6inch wheels.

i am just going to place it on some waffle pad RC.

all done...plate is on top nowstand.jpg...

now to get some slides and fit some draws under so that I can put some goodies in there


didnt take long as long to get that out of its crate as it did the first lathe...lol