Reproducing the Velador Experiment

To effectively absorb shocks and reduce creep, the primary suspension cable should have a breaking strain greater than six times the weight of the support beam (assuming that its self weight and the weight of the instrumentation is negligible).  This implies a minimum tensile test strength of 2100N (100 lbf).  The restoring force vs. tension should be as small as possible, necessitating a thin cable or cord.  However, torsion of the cable is not measured and is only required to be static and negligible.  Tensile strength is the primary selection criterion for the suspension cable.

¼” steel S-Hooks have been selected for initial trials, as these have the requisite tensile/bending strength, allow full rotation over a small range, and will be adequate for small elevations.  Actual cable will be required for elevations in excess of 60 degrees, with possible additional mounts.

The support beam assembly will be suspended from a mounted wooden beam, which is mounted to an instrument table with a tilting top that can be rotated on rollers.  The support will allow for pendular motion of the support beam, which will be damped using polyester batting. The ability of the support beam to tilt independent of the instrument table allows more uniform loading during rotation, and the evolved restoring force prevents lateral deflection due to tilting and torsion of the beam.  At the horizontal position, the axis of the cable/hooks should be vertical, to minimize tilting during axial motion.