2026-08-12
Choosing between passive and active vibration isolation is critical for lab infrastructure. Passive systems (springs, air springs) work above their natural frequency but fail below 5Hz. Active systems use sensors and actuators to isolate vibrations from 0.5Hz, handling building sway. The four-step framework—characterize environment, match application sensitivity, evaluate constraints, and consider total cost—guides researchers to the right choice for their specific needs.