PEABODY, MA, — TMC, an industry leader in high-performance vibration
cancellation technology, introduces Hybrid Honeycomb™, a new type of optical
breadboard that combines a custom, bonded aluminum plate with the structural damping
of a honeycomb breadboard.
“Many ultra-precision tools include an optical subassembly. Those subassemblies must be
mounted to a rigid, flat, damped surface to maintain the positional stability of the optical
system,” states Steve Ryan, Divisional Vice President for TMC. “Until now, engineers have
had to choose between a machined aluminum plate and a honeycomb optical breadboard.
“Aluminum plates have the advantage of achieving precision flatness and parallelism as
well as tight tolerances on hole positions. Honeycomb breadboards offer the advantage of
providing structural damping along with a much higher stiffness-to-weight ratio. TMC’s
latest innovation combines the best of both,” he adds.
Hybrid Honeycomb starts as an aluminum plate. The plate is machined to achieve the
desired features. The underside is then machined away leaving a monolithic honeycomb
pattern to lighten the structure. Finally, a bottom skin is epoxied over the honeycomb cells,
closing the structure and providing additional damping and stiffness.
Hybrid Honeycomb structures are engineered solutions. Each version is custom designed
for the unique requirements of the application. It is ideal for optical subassemblies in
photonics tools and applications including lab automation, drug discovery, lasers, surface
metrology, and semiconductor inspection.
TMC designs and manufactures precision vibration isolation systems for sensitive research
and manufacturing processes worldwide. TMC is an ISO 9001:2008-certified company. Its
products include active and passive vibration isolation systems; optical tops, optical table
systems, and breadboards; laboratory tables and tabletop platforms; floor platforms;
magnetic field cancellation and electric field shielding systems; and acoustic enclosures.
TMC is a unit of AMETEK Ultra Precision Technologies, a pioneer in the development of
ultra-precision measurement instruments and a global leader in ultra-precise machine tools
and manufacturing systems for the semiconductor, photovoltaic, nanotechnology, military,
defense and ophthalmic lens markets.
AMETEK Ultra Precision Technologies is a division of AMETEK, Inc., a leading global
manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with annual sales of
approximately $4.0 billion.
For more information, contact Sheryl Aleckna at Technical Manufacturing Corporation, 15
Centennial Drive, Peabody, MA 01960. Tel: 978-532-6330. Fax: 978-531-8682. E-mail:
Sheryl.Aleckna@ametek.com Website: www.techmfg.com.