1993

Minus K Technology Opens

Minus K Technology opens for business in
February 1993

Minus K's original SM-1 patented Negative-Stiffness passive vibration isolator. This was the first commercialy available vibration isolator offering 0.5 Hz natural frequencies for both vertically and horizontally. This was accomplished without the use of air compressors, computer componets or electricity.

The isolator could be used alone, or in conjunction with other units, and could be engineered directly into a system.

Original SM-1 Vibration Isolator

1994

Minus K SP-1 Platform

Minus K introduced the SP-1 platorm. This unit provided a single SM-1 isolator with a platform upon which the user could directly place items requiring isolation. The Isolation Platform was ready for use, like an air table or air platform.

Minus K sold it's first FP-1 Vibration Isolation Floor Platform. The FP-1 is usually used for large payloads, these platforms are designed with from two to four SM-1 isolators, and could support up to 10,000 lbs. or more.

The typical uses of floor platforms are for SEMs, TEMs, STEMs and other large metrology or fabrication tools.

First FP-1 is Sold

1997

Minus K BA-1

Minus K introduced the BA-1 Bench Top Vibration Isolator. The BA-1 Bench Top Vibration Isolation Platform was simple to set up, designed with an automatic adjustment that was ideal for products like the pictured AFM with varying weight loads and stage motion.

The auto-adjust feature re-adjusted the isolator when there is a payload weight change within +/- 7 lbs.

Minus K introduced the WS-1 Modular Vibration Isolation Workstation. It Incorporated the BA-1 design, this clean-room compatible unit could be used on raised or upper floors without expensive pedestals to the sub-floor.

The WS-1 was easily modified with off-the-shelf modular components for quick customizations and was available in multiple payloads ranges.

Minus K WS-1

Minus K's First OEM

Digital Instruments becomes Minus K's first OEM, selling Minus K vibration isolators with their instruments.

Minus K's introduced the BM-1 bench top platform. The isolator offered 0.5 Hz natural frequencies for both vertically and horizontally in an appromately 2 foot by 2 foot by 9 inch platform.

The BM-1 was simple Negative-Stiffness passive vibration isolator with only manual adjustments. No maintenance, nothing to wear out easy to use and move.

Minus K BM-1

Minus K BM-4 Isolator

Minus K's introduced the BM-4 Negative-Stiffness bench top Isolator. The BM-4 isolator offered Minus K's signature 0.5 Hz natural frequencies for both vertically and horizontally in a little smaller foot print than the BM-1 at about half the price.

The BM-4 has been picked buy multiple OEMs as their preferred isolator.

Minus K's introduced the BM-6 bench top platform that offered better performance than a full size air table in a package only 4.6 inches tall. A perfect vibration isolation solution for optical microcopes.

Minus K BM-6 Bench Top Isolator

Minus K BM-8 Bench Top Isolator

Minus K introduced the BM-8 bench top Negative-Stiffness vibration isolation platform that offered Minus K's signature 0.5 Hz natural frequency vertically and 1.5 Hz horizontally in only 4.6 inches tall package. This was the lowest height isolator that offered this level of isolation performance.

Minus K introduced the WS-3 workstation incorporating the BM-1 Negative-Stiffness vibration isolation platform into a free standing workstation. The WS-3 workstation offered 0.5 Hz natural frequencies for both vertically and horizontally.

Minus K WS-3 Workstation

Minus K BM-10 Bench Top Isolator

Minus K introduced the BM-10 bench top Negative-Stiffness vibration isolation platform. Smaller than the BM-8, the BM-10 was just about a 12" x 12 footprint and offered Minus K's signature 0.5 Hz natural frequency vertically and 1.5 Hz horizontally in a 4.6 inch tall package. Similar to the BM-8 this was the lowest height isolator that offered this level of isolation performance.

Minus K introduced the MK26 Vibration Control Workstation Manufactured in conjunction with Kinetic Systems. This workstation utilizes patented negative-stiffness BM-1 vibration isolator. When adjusted to a 0.5 Hz natural frequency, the workstation achieves about 93% isolation efficiency at 2 Hz, 99% at 5 Hz and 99.7% at 10 Hz.

The MK26 was designed specifically to provide more user ergonomic comfort, additional leg space and a large variety of accessories for the workstation.

Minus K MK26 Workstation

Minus K's Selected for JWST Ground Testing

Minus K's president with a custom 10,000 lb.
JWST Vibration Isolator

Minus K Technology was selected by a subcontractor of Northrop Grumman to provide a set of six custom 10,000 lb. capacity negative-stiffness vibration isolators for the ground testing of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston.

The isolators utilized a new patented thermal compensator device, requiring no air or electricity to adjust the isolators as the temperature changed throughout the testing at Johnson Space Center , keeping the JWST in the proper position.

The James Webb Space Telescope spent about 100 days in cryogenic testing within vacuum Chamber A. The chamber's interior was made to match the airless, frigid environment of space. The custom Minus K isolators supported all the test equipment (an interferometer, auto-collimating flat mirrors, and a system of photogrammetry ‘precision surveying’ cameras) in precise relative alignment inside the chamber while isolating from any sources of vibration, such as the flow of nitrogen and helium inside the shroud plumbing and the rhythmic pulsing of vacuum pumps.

Minus K introduced the WS-4 compact vibration isolation workstation to conserve valuable lab space. The WS-4 workstation stand was designed with a damped Phenolic top which included three locating holes for the BM-1's leveling feet.

When a BM-1 was placed on the stand, the workstation's height matches a standard desktop. This allowes a seamless intergration into a lab environment while providing a large vibration isolated platform in a space only two feet square.

Minus K WS-4 Workstation

Minus K SM-1 Isolator

Minus K introduced the new standardized SM-1 designed for heavy payload ranges. Each negative-stiffness isolator offered Minus K's signature 0.5 Hz natural frequency vertically and horizontally.

The SM-1 isolator can handle a payload weight of 4200 lbs. They can be used alone or with a number of additional units to handle heavier systems/applications.

The FP-1 (floor platform) uses multiple SM-1 isolators. Typical instruments placed on the platforms are SEMs, TEMs and STEMs.

Increased Payload Ranges

Minus K increased the payload ranges for the BM-1 up tp 1000 lbs., the BM-8 up to 250 lbs. and the BM-10 up to 100 lbs.

Increased Payload Range

Minus K increased the payload range4 of the BM-4 up to 200 lbs.

Minus K introduced the CM-1 which is a compact high capacity negative-stiffness isolator. The CM-1 isolator offered Minus K's signature 0.5 Hz natural frequency vertically and horizontally can be used singly or in multiple unit configurations.

The CM-1 isolators can be placed on pedestals to retrofit existing air tables, keeping the existing table top and achieving better isolation. They are also perfect for isolating cryostats.

Minus K CM-1

Minus K LC-4 and LC-4U

Minus K introduced the LC-4 that came in two configurations, the low horizontal frequency with performance of 1.5 Hz and the ultra-low horizontal frequency with performance of 0.5 Hz. Both LC-4 configurations offer Minus K's signature 0.5 Hz vertical natural frequency.

The LC-4 isolators can be used alone or combined into multi isolator systems to support heavier payloads while taking up very little room themselves.

Minus K Technology in business for 25 Years

Minus K CT-1

The introduced the ultra-thin CT-1 negative-stiffness isolator utilizing Minus K's patented breakthrough technology allowing for the best vibration isolation performance on the market in just a 2.25 inch tall platform.

The CT-1 offered Minus K's signature 0.5 Hz vertical natural frequency and ~2.25 Hz horizontal natural frequency.

Minus K received a Bronze award in the category positioning, support & accessories for the ultra-thin CT-1 Tabletop Vibration Isolation Platform. Recognized for an innovation that resulted in improvement over previous methods employed, approaches taken, or products/systems used.

The CT-1 provided Minus K’s signature 0.5 Hz vertical natural frequency and ~2.25 Hz horizontal natural frequency using the new patented technology that delivering this performance in a 2.25-in.-tall isolation platform.

Laser Focus World Innovation Award

Minus K CT-2

Introduced the ultra-thin CT-2 negative-stiffness isolator utilizing Minus K's patented breakthrough technology allowing for the best vibration isolation performance on the market in just a 2.7 inch tall platform.

The CT-2 provided Minus K's signature 0.5 Hz vertical natural frequency and ~1.25 Hz horizontal natural frequency. The CT-2 is an upgrade from Minus K's CT-1 and offered better horizontal performance with additional payload ranges for heavier instruments.

Minus K Technology in business for 30 Years

Introduced the ultra-thin compact CT-10 negative-stiffness isolator utilizing Minus K's patented breakthrough technology allowing for the best vibration isolation performance on the market in just a 2.7 inch tall platform.

The CT-10 provided Minus K's signature 0.5 Hz vertical natural frequency and ~1.25 Hz horizontal natural frequency. This is the thinnest, compact most portable and most user-friendly isolator ever offered that is capable of delivering this performance.

Minus K CT-10

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