Unknown Item

[ozzy1]

Found this in basement of new premises. Anybody know what this is?

 

[JohnRBaker]

Looks like some sort of 'test stand' that you'd find in a laboratory to hold something, perhaps a laser or optics lab.

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

 

[ctopher]

I agree with John. It has 3-axis adjustment, probably for something optics?
Residential or commercial basement?

Chris, CSWP
SolidWorks
ctophers home

 

[ozzy1]

Commercial building, been empty for a while. Previous tenants unknown.

 

[SnTMan]

Guess they didn't need it anymore, whatever it is

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand

 

[Compositepro]

It is a self-made positioning stage that allows linear adjustment of the Z-axis, and rotational adjust of the X and Y-axes. It could be for holding a sample or film for X-ray diffraction. It could hold a mirror for aiming a laser beam, although it seems too large for that.

 

[JStephen]

What's that square in the center?
Is there some way to hook a vacuum hose to it? Those holes look like they could be used to suck a piece of paper onto the platform.

 

[IRstuff]

What's that square in the center?

It might be an optical breadboard, i.e., something with 1/4-20 screw holes every inch for mounting the unit under test, although there appears to be mounting holes on the entire platen.

It looks very manual, so not much use these days, but some hobbyist might find a use for it.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[MintJulep]

It doesn't look very stiff, so it's not for anything involving significant forces, nor requiring consistent precision.

Azimuth and elevation axes suggest it might be for something celestial. Perhaps a camera mount for star field photos.

 

[GregLocock]

I don't think a celestial machine would need Z adjustment.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[RobWard]

"I don't think a celestial machine would need Z adjustment. "

For close-ups of the stars.....?

"I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go past." Douglas Adams

 

[MintJulep]

"I don't think a celestial machine would need Z adjustment. "

Just to bring the whatever to a convenient height for the user.

 

[ozzy1]

Thanks guys.

One for the museum maybe.

 

[GregLocock]

RW - I think you've cracked it, the big hex nut is labelled Zoom.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[ctopher]

Curious, is the black square transparent?

Chris, CSWP
SolidWorks
ctophers home

 

[JohnRBaker]

Were there any other items which you found near it that looked like they might be related or able to be attached to it?

John R. Baker, P.E. (ret)
Irvine, CA
Siemens PLM:

The secret of life is not finding someone to live with
It's finding someone you can't live without

 

[IRstuff]

I withdraw comments about the black square; on closer inspection, it looks like it might just be a piece of black paper or tape, since it's not even centered on the platen

TTFN (ta ta for now)
I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKorP55Aqvg

faq731-376 forum1529 Entire Forum list

http://www.eng-tips.com/forumlist.cfm

 

[ozzy1]

We found the item buried behind some old chairs and a table. Nothing else around that would indicate its use.

 

[3DDave]

Try the reddit "WhatIsThisThing"

 

[ozzy1]

The black square is Velcro.