RCID

Motion Table

Problem

The RCID was approached to design and manufacture a motion table to test highly sensitive magnetic sensor systems. The specification for the table was that it must be able to dynamically pitch, roll and rotate a mass of up to 18kg but be totally non-magnetic.

Design Approach

The requirement for the table to be non magnetic presented some challenging design problems. The materials selected were plastics and composites.

To drive the table in all 3 degrees of freedom a pneumatic system was devised using bespoke parts. The motion was remotely computer controlled using in house software to follow a user defined path. The entire solution was built and tested at the RCID.

Deliverables

The motion table and all ancillary equipment was delivered to the customer together with instructions on its use. The customer was able to begin testing using the table almost immediately.

The customer, after witnessing the commissioning of the table at their site said "we are fairly sure that we could not have gone to a better group to conduct this work".