Investing in a durable light table can enhance your inspection process, make drafting easier and make presenting your ideas to clients a fun and unique process. Light table uses run the gamut from checking manufactured parts for light gaps to presenting x-rays to a group of doctors.
Features
Many industrial light tables are portable thanks to sturdy castors on their legs, and some light tables tilt for easy reading. Your light table needs will be specific to your industry, but there are some universal characteristics of professionally built light tables that increase their value to your organization.
Below are several features to consider when selecting the right light table for your needs.
1) Base:
Do you need your table to roll, or will it be fixed in the work zone? Depending on your processes, having a centrally located light table may be the best choice. However, if multiple departments need the light table, you’ll need to be able to move it easily. Good quality castors with locks will make your light table easy to relocate and easy to fix in place once it’s resettled.
2) Light Source:
The light source for your table will likely need a power cord, though battery powered light tables are a possibility. Regardless of what power source you choose, you’ll want lights that are cool to the touch, such as an LED light. Your light source will sit under the glass or plexiglass panel and your employees will have to work over this light, so keeping things cool and comfortable is critical.
Of course, if employees are viewing x-rays or any other film that requires abundant light to be visible, you’ll want to purchase your clinical light table from a supplier that’s well versed in hospital regulations. For example, your light table will need a hospital grade plug for safest use in a hospital setting.
3) Clear Surface:
You’ll want an appropriate clear surface for your inspection light table. For example, one of the most interesting light table uses is as a base for stained glass artists. However, you can’t use a plexiglass surface for this application; most stained glass artists use soldering irons that can reach far beyond 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Plexiglass melts at 320 degrees Fahrenheit.
4) Work Surface:
Having a durable work surface around the clear surface of industrial light tables is critical, especially if you need to move the light table with parts on it. At this point, it would also be helpful to have sides or a tray feature on your inspection light table. If you need to move your light table with parts on it, sides around the clear viewing surface will reduce the risk of dropping or damaging new parts.
It’s also important to note that some work surfaces can be tilted to display art or blueprints. After reviewing your need, you can likely find a light table that will serve the needs of your and your client.
5) Easy To Clean:
For those in need of a clinical light table, cleaning ease is critical. The legs will need to tolerate harsh cleaning chemicals, and you may need to establish a cleaning schedule or disassembly protocol to make sure the machine doesn’t wind up harboring or transporting bacteria.
In Conclusion
A well-built light table can serve as an inspection aide, an extra x-ray viewing station, a standing drafting table or a display station. No matter your need, you can find a light table that will make your business and products more accurate and easier to display.