Breadboard Deflection Estimator
Estimate center deflection, self-weight sag, and fundamental frequency for optical breadboards under load.
Optical breadboards and table tops flex under the weight of mounted equipment, and that flex degrades pointing alignment and beam height consistency across an optical layout. This tool estimates center deflection, self-weight sag, and the fundamental resonant frequency of a rectangular breadboard modeled as a uniform rectangular beam under a distributed load. Inputs are board span, width, and thickness; material (Al 6061-T6, 304 SS, or 430 SS); applied load; and support condition (simply supported or fixed-fixed). Outputs include load deflection, self-weight deflection, total center deflection, and the natural frequency — which governs susceptibility to floor vibration. Use it to compare aluminum versus steel construction, or to evaluate the stiffness benefit of a fixed-mount versus pin-support configuration.