Modern Optics Corporation Holography Table

[MrNIFty923]

Finally got this 12’ Modern Optics holography Table into my shop today. It took a tractor, four vehicle Dolly’s, a three friends to get it in. It’s a monster, complete with 1980s wood siding. My plan is to hoist it up from either end with two cherry pickers, then set them on the legs. I will be welding the legs together as the drop bolts that were once hanging from underneath the table are long gone. Anybody ever heard of Modern Optics Corporation? I got the whole setup for $100. I removed all the gas lines and fittings from the legs (since they were way dated) and was planning to just pump each of them up manually with a foot pump. Unless...anyone here with more experience with these types of legs can recommend a better method for the setup. I did originally have two separate adjustable air manifolds connected. Each manifold pressurized two legs. But, three points define a plane, so maybe three legs should be controlled by one manifold, and then other one pumping its own situation? All the threaded optics mounts are 4” apart, in both directions, so you know this table is ooold. I’m just gonna use magnetic mounts, instead of tapping new holes. Any suggestions on the suspension leg setup would be great.

[mixedgas]

Um, put the levelers back on if the valves still work. Otherwise you'd probably rather have the table with NO air connected. You'll find probably find "manual leveling" a frustrating exercise at best, unless you have some really
good needle valves in your collection. Because properly floating tables usually go back to their set points within +/- .005 Inch.
The bladders are the same thing they use for air-springs on older trucks, and do not need much pressure.
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Newport's video:

https://www.newport.com/f/pneumatic-...ic-re-leveling
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TMCs video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf2if7s_AEA
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Steve

[MrNIFty923]

I still have the levelers, but the fittings/ferrules are so old, I had trouble finding them. I replaced all the O rings and a few of the schwag lock fittings, but there is no manual for this leveling setup. Can’t even find any reference to Modern Optics Corporation. Here is a few photos of the levelers.

[NobleGas]

What diameter are the air pipes? If they're 1/4", they're a common part and you will be able to get the fittings quite readily.

[MrNIFty923]

Im pretty sure it 11/64” pipe, they are really small. I tried to redesign the air system, with new fittings, and larger 1/4” air hose, but all the manifolds/levelers for each leg are “machined” to accept only air coupling fittings with the “rounded” style Ferrels. I haven’t been able to source those yet. There is a virtual zoo of vintage style ferrels out there, many of which did not make it to current day and/or were poorly documented. In addition, the air hose couplers that must be seated into the manifolds require an Oring on one end to seal correctly and a swage fitting on the other? I’ve never even seen one like that before. I will upload some photos of the couplers. I’m wondering if there is anyway to “adapt” some more modern fittings from Newport. Their table leg setup it well documented... there is a reason they are still around.

[NobleGas]

The fittings I'm thinking of were rounded, but pretty sure they weren't 11/64"; they were used as part of a waveguide pressurisation system on a satcoms ground station; I still have a load of the fittings and odd pieces of pipe in my collection.

[MrNIFty923]

Here is a picture of the historical ferrule.
3 of the legs have been upgraded with the scwage fittings, but the leveling manifolds still have to have the old ferrule style couplers. They are machines that way unfortunately. Here is a picture of the the two different fittings, side by side.
The flex-o-pipe is 11/64 OD. Why would they use such a small pipe?
This is the air schematic layout I was origianally looking to do.

[mixedgas]

[QUOTE=MrNIFty923;340477]Here is a picture of the historical ferrule.
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Oh, That's Polyflow tubing.... With something like old Parker type compression fittings..... Something like a Poly-Tight fitting? Only with the Poly-Tight Ferrule on backwards.. LOL... Graduate students would do easily that. :-)
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Send some pics to your local Parker Hannifin rep.... Usually the mating fitting in the valve body is threaded 1-8th NPT and unscrews. I have a few ancient systems at work (1970s) that use that stuff..
http://ph.parker.com/us/17054/en/bra...bing-poly-tite
or these:
http://northwesthydraline.com/fittin...me.php?cat=769
~
The silver fittings pictured are Swagelok or Swagelok clones...

Steve

[MrNIFty923]

Ahhh ancient systems. This is really the delemia. Should I try to get the air/legs working with all the old fittings/ferrules? Or should I try to “upgrade the air fittings with more modern couplings? Either way, I still have to incorporate or bypass the leveling manifolds, that are machined to accommodate the older style fittings. And when I say “fittings”, it’s the kind that require an O ring at the base, onesest full threaded in. Or, I could acquire a set of more modern suspension legs, with updated manifolds? etc... Or, I have considered using an aftermarket automotive air bag suspension system to do the deed.

[MrNIFty923]

Thanks for those links Steve.