RDM Ergonomic Tilt Top Light Table – Model A-107P-LT-TILT-01 – Shown with Hydraulic Hand Crank Tilt and Motorized Hydraulic Lift System.

With that being said, picking the right one is less about catalogue surfing and more about knowing what actually helps your inspectors see clearly without squinting like detectives. 

• Understand the Inspection Job First

Before looking at specifications, pause and think about what will sit on the table. Thin films, printed circuits, glass sheets, medical parts, or textiles all behave differently under light. Some materials demand even brightness, while others need contrast control. An industrial light table meant for film inspection may fail badly when used for dense components. Size of the product, inspection speed, and frequency of use shape the choice more than fancy features ever will. 

• Light Quality Matters More Than Brightness

Brightness sells, quality works. Uniform light distribution prevents shadows that hide defects. Inspectors should not chase dark corners with their eyes. Color temperature also deserves attention. Neutral white light suits most inspection tasks, while cooler tones can exaggerate surface flaws. Flicker-free output saves eyes from fatigue and headaches, a detail often ignored until complaints start floating around the shop floor. 

• Table Size and Load Capacity

Bigger is not always better. The table should comfortably fit the largest part inspected without wasting workspace. Oversized tables eat floor area and invite clutter. Load capacity matters if heavy components are placed repeatedly. A table bending under pressure becomes a long-term problem nobody wants to explain to management later. 

• Surface Material and Finish

The top surface decides how light exits the table. Acrylic, tempered glass, or polycarbonate each behaves differently. Scratch resistance keeps light diffusion even over time. A matte finish reduces glare, while a glossy one may reflect inspection lamps straight into tired eyes. Cleaning ease also plays a role, since inspection tables attract fingerprints like magnets attract nails. 

• Ergonomics for Real People

Inspectors are not statues. Height adjustability helps workers of different builds avoid shoulder pain. Some tables offer tilting surfaces, which reduce neck strain during long inspection sessions. Controls should be reachable without stress. When ergonomics are ignored, productivity drops quietly, then loudly through sick leave requests. 

• Power Efficiency and Heat Control

An industrial light table runs for hours, sometimes all day. LED-based systems usually stay cool and sip power politely. Excess heat affects both components and comfort. A warm table under constant use turns inspection into endurance training, not quality control. Long lifespan lighting reduces maintenance pauses that interrupt workflow. 

• Control Features Without Overkill

Dimming controls allow inspectors to tune brightness per task. Simple switches often work better than complicated touch panels that stop responding when gloves are on. Some tables, including zoning, only show parts of the surface when needed. These features help, but only if they remain intuitive. Complexity without clarity creates frustration faster than faulty parts. 

• Environment and Compliance Needs

Cleanrooms, laboratories and factory floors demand different build standards. Dust resistance, sealed edges, and chemical tolerance may be required. Electrical safety certifications should match local regulations. Ignoring compliance leads to uncomfortable conversations during audits, which no one enjoys. 

• Cost Versus Long-Term Use

Cheap tables save money once, then demand attention repeatedly. A well-built industrial light table costs more upfront but pays back through durability stable. Focus on lifespan, warranty and service support rather than sticker price alone. Inspection equipment works quietly in the background until it fails. 

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right table is about clarity, comfort, and consistency. When inspectors see better, decisions improve, rejection rates fall, and quality control feels less like guesswork.

The post How to Choose the Right Industrial Light Table for Visual Inspection appeared first on RDM Industrial Products.

Whether it’s inspecting intricate circuit boards, perfecting artistic designs, or analyzing X-rays, light tables have revolutionized the way professionals work. Their ability to illuminate the tiniest details with crystal-clear clarity makes them an indispensable tool for boosting productivity and accuracy. Let’s dive into why light tables are a shining asset in industrial settings.

RDM Double-Sided Workbench – Model T-101P-OLD-DWRUU-GREY01 includes Dual Utility Drawers.

Enhanced Precision and Accuracy

Light tables provide a uniform and bright backlit surface, which makes it easier to identify minute details that may be hard to spot under normal lighting conditions. This is particularly beneficial in industries like manufacturing, where inspecting product quality, detecting flaws, or checking alignments requires high precision. The evenly distributed light eliminates shadows, ensuring better visibility and reducing errors.

Improved Quality Control

In industries like textiles, printing, and electronics, light tables are invaluable tools for quality control. They help in detecting imperfections in fabrics, analyzing printed materials, or examining circuit boards for defects. By enabling thorough inspection, light tables contribute to maintaining high-quality standards and minimizing the risk of defective products reaching the market.

Versatility Across Industries

Light tables are versatile and can be used in a wide range of industries, including design, healthcare, photography, and scientific research. For instance, in architecture and graphic design, they are essential for tracing and drafting. In healthcare, they aid in analyzing X-rays and slides. Their ability to adapt to different applications makes them an indispensable tool in various professional settings.

Time Efficiency

By providing a clear and consistent backlit surface, light tables help professionals complete tasks more quickly and efficiently. Designers can easily trace and overlay drawings, while quality inspectors can swiftly identify defects without the need for additional tools or complex setups. This efficiency translates into faster project turnaround times and increased productivity.

Reduced Eye Strain

The bright and evenly distributed light of a light table reduces eye strain, especially for professionals working on detailed tasks for extended periods. This is particularly important in industries like photography, where professionals spend hours analyzing film negatives, or in electronics, where small components need close inspection. The ergonomic benefits of reduced eye strain lead to improved focus and better performance.

Enhanced Creativity in Design

For creative professionals, light tables provide an excellent platform for exploring design ideas. Architects and graphic designers can layer multiple sheets to experiment with new concepts, trace intricate patterns, or refine existing designs. This promotes creativity and allows designers to visualize their work more effectively, enhancing the overall design process.

Cost-Effective Solution

Light tables are a cost-effective investment for industries that rely on precision and quality control. By streamlining inspection processes and reducing the likelihood of errors or defects, they help companies save costs on rework and wastage. 

User-Friendly and Durable

Most light tables are designed to be user-friendly, with adjustable brightness settings and ergonomic features to suit various tasks. They are built with durable materials to withstand regular use in industrial environments. This combination of functionality and durability ensures that light tables remain reliable tools for professionals across different industries for years.

So, if you’re looking to illuminate your work process and take it to the next level, a light table might just be your brightest idea yet!

The post Benefits of Using High-Quality Light Tables In Industries appeared first on RDM Industrial Products.

• Choose the Right Light Table

Selecting a suitable light table is the first step, which depends on the manufacturer. Ensure the light table is large enough to accommodate the items you need to inspect. Opt for a light table with adjustable brightness to suit different inspection needs. LED light tables are popular due to their energy efficiency and longevity. Depending on your workplace and workspace, you might need a portable light table for flexibility.

• Setup in a Proper Environment

Place your light table in a well-lit area with minimal glare. The surrounding light should complement the table’s illumination, reducing eye strain and enhancing visibility. Make sure the table is on a stable surface to prevent any movement that could affect your inspection work. 

• Adjust the brightness

Different inspection tasks may require varying light intensities. Start by setting the light to a medium brightness level and adjust as necessary. Righter settings are typically better for detailed work, while lower settings may be sufficient for less intricate inspections. Always avoid excessively bright settings that could cause eye strain over prolonged use. 

• Maintain a Clean Workspace

Keep the surface of the light table clean and free of dust, smudges, or debris. A dirty surface can obscure details and reduce the effectiveness of the inspection. Regularly wipe the table with a soft, lint-free cloth and a gently cleaning solution suitable for the table’s material. 

• Use Magnification Tools

For tasks requiring high precision, such as examining film negatives or circuit boards, magnification tools like loupes or magnifying glasses can be invaluable. These tools help you see minute details clearly, ensuring thorough inspection. 

• Organize Your Materials

Arrange your materials neatly before starting the inspection. This not only helps in maintaining focus but also prevents damage to delicate items. Use trays or folders to keep everything organized and easily accessible. 

• Take Regular Breaks

Prolonged use of a light table can cause eye strain and fatigue. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This practice helps reduce eye strain and maintains your productivity over long inspection sessions. 

• Understand the Material You’re Inspecting

Different materials require different approaches for effective inspection. When inspecting film or slides, pay attention to color balance, exposure, and any signs of deterioration. Look for consistency in color and texture. The light table can help identify any flaws or discrepancies. Inspect components for defects, alignment, and adherence to specifications. 

• Stay Updated with Technology

Advancements in technology can enhance the functionality of light tables. Some modern light tables come with features like digital displays and connectivity options for transferring inspection results to a computer. Stay informed about new tools and techniques that can improve your inspection process.

Conclusion

Using a light table correctly for inspection involves selecting the right equipment, maintaining an organized and clean workspace, and utilizing appropriate tools and techniques. By following these tips, you can ensure that your inspection tasks are carried out efficiently and accurately, leading to better results and higher quality in your work.

Check out our light tables here

The post Tips to Use a Light Table Correctly for Inspection appeared first on RDM Industrial Products.

Furthermore, as mentioned, this great versatility and usefulness are bought at an astonishingly simple price; for, at bottom, inspection light tables are just what their name suggests they are: tables or workbenches coupled with a light source. That light source easily allows for close and careful inspection of whatever is placed upon the table surface.

The following is written for those who are new to light inspection tables. But who have work in mind that requires the presence of a reliable, powerful and convenient source of light. As we’ll show you, whether you’re an artist who needs light tables for drawing to help you bring an artistic vision to life. Or a scientist looking for an inspection table to help illuminate your lab so you can carry out precision work with ease or anything in between. These simple but powerful illuminated surfaces can contribute mightily and importantly to your work.

RDM Industrial Products is the proud manufacturer of a diverse array of different kinds of lab furniture, but light and inspection tables are among the things we take the most pride in specially crafting for our clients. Before you set out to bring light to your labor, however, here are a few important questions about inspection light tables that we can answer to bring you up to speed about them.

RDM Adjustable Height Light Inspection Table – Model A-107P-LT-CURBS-01 has perimeter containment curbs to help keep small items on the inspection platform.

1. What kinds of different light and inspection tables are there?

RDM manufactures industrial-quality light and inspection tables in three basic design styles: a standard table style, a workstation style and a rotating vertical panel style. Standard models can be subdivided into tilting light tables and non-tilting versions. There is a further variation on the standard table that is larger and features an overhead light boom. Workstation models come with overhead racks. Panels are larger than most tables and their surface can be oriented totally vertically.

Check out a listing of all of our different models light inspection tables here.

2. What are light inspection tables made of?

Another obvious question sure to be on the lips of those new to illuminated surfaces is what these things are made of. Of course, the style that you choose will have some significant bearing on your model’s overall construction and makeup, but we can make the following general remarks.

First, the framing that holds up all our models is made of sturdy tubular steel. This includes both of legs of each of our tables as well as any overhead hanging or lighting racks.

As for the surfaces themselves, we prefer to give you as many customizability options as possible. The surface of our tilting panel model, called LT-100P, is made of glass. However, all other table and workbench surfaces can be either made from laminated plastic, stainless steel, solid wood in the style of a butcher block, or other materials. If there is a special material you require, ask us and we will be able to fulfill your request.

Surfaces made from either plastic or stainless steel can also be coated in chemical-resistant or ESD anti-static material if you expect to be working with corrosive chemicals or substances that generate electricity.

3. How do light tables’ lighting systems work?

All of RDM’s light tables use either LED or fluorescent lighting. You may request either LED or fluorescent bulbs to go with whichever kind of table or panel you want, and we’ll create a factory-direct model set to your specifications. In addition, the location of the light source varies depending on the table style that you choose. Models built in either the standard table or the panel style emit light from light boxes located beneath the surface. Models built in the workbench style, on the other hand, emit they’re light from an overhead rack.

Lastly, RDM also gives you the option of customizing the color of light you’d light your table to emit. You can choose standard white light or another color like red, blue or green.

4. How do they handle weight?

If the centrepiece of each light table is its lighting system, not far off in order of importance is each table’s hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor is used to lift and adjust the height of each table to your needs. It can be operated either with a manual hand crank or with buttons that work the electric motor. And course, this motor can have some fairly significant weight-bearing capacity, making it quite useful if you should need to inspect heavy objects.

In fact, our inspection light tables come standard with hydraulic motors with 1,000 pounds of lift capacity. If you like, you can supercharge your motor to either 1,500, 2,000 or 3,000 pounds.

5. How does the tilting feature work?

Tilting light tables are some of the coolest and most useful products that we offer. Sometimes, you’ll need to inspect something while it’s held at an angle. Thus, tilting light inspection tables give you the power to do precisely that. Like the lift system, the tilting feature can operated either through a manual hand crank or though an electrically powered hydraulic motor. The crank or the buttons to operate the motor are conveniently located on the side of each table. The tilt can be designed for weight-bearing capacities anywhere between 250 and 500 pounds.

6. What are the dimensions like?

The surface dimensions of our models vary widely. However, we can custom build tables for you that are anywhere from 24 to 72 inches in width, with each option separated by an increment of 12 inches. Our overhead light boom table can be custom-made up to 96 inches wide, and we can go all the way up to 144 inches with our workbenches.

7. Which industries use light tables/inspection tables?

Last but not least is the question of which industries use light tables and whom they typically serve. Artists and architects often make use of light tables for drawing when putting together works of art or carefully drawing up design plans. Even engineers use light tables for drawing when they have to either draw up or examine building plans. Hospitals and clinics often use them when examining x-rays or other kinds of important patient results. Scientists who require high visibility when doing their high-precision lab work are also grateful to have them.

This list, of course, only scratches the surface. If you need to examine anything on a flat surface, chances are that a light table will do you good.

Conclusion

Now that you know a bit about light tables and inspection tables — about what they are, how they work, how they’re built and what they can do for you — the only thing that remains is for you to select the right model for you and your needs. At RDM we’re happy to say that our light tables are proudly manufactured in the USA. And because every unit is factory-direct, we have the ability to customize our units very precisely to meet your needs.

It’s time to Call RDM today, to let us help you design your new Light Table or Inspection Table.

The post FAQ: Light Tables & Inspection Tables appeared first on RDM Industrial Products.

It’s hard to imagine most, if not all, of these things being done effectively — or even at all — if good and reliable lab tables were not at the disposal of the research staff. The table surface, after all, is where all of the magic happens. Lab tables are the foundation for all the lab activities alluded to above.

In essence, a lab table is a simple thing. It’s just a flat, horizontal surface with some legs to hold it up. And though each and every one of our laboratory tables and benches fits that general template, we customize too. We offer all kinds of factory-direct models for sale that have specialized capabilities ranging far beyond what that simple description can capture.

RDM prides itself on designing industrial-grade lab furniture. Always built to the very highest standards of quality and functionality. Because lab benches and tables occupy such a critical place at the very heart of any lab, it’s especially important for us to get them right. We bring more than forty years of distinguished experience to our manufacturing and designs.

Here’s a look at just some of the many differs kinds of lab tables that RDM can build for you, what they can do for your lab, what they are made of and what special features they can have to make them stand out.

RDM Lab Tables Types & Their Features

Our large selection of industrial-quality lab tables can be split into a number of categories. Doing this allows us to isolate their specific features. Some of these categories and features include:

Shape:

Each and every one of our tables comes factory-direct. Meaning that we can build it for you according to your exact specifications and parameters. We believe in giving our customers as much power of customization as possible, and one of the ways we do that is by offering tables in as many different shapes as possible. Smaller square tables, longer rectangular tables, L-shaped tables, benches with 45-degree corners and more are all available for your perusal. Once you specify the shape you want, you’ll also be able to request specific dimensions.

Adjustable Height Lab Tables:

Our height-adjustable table models are some of the most perennially popular to come out of our facilities, and with good reason. Tables and workbenches that aren’t limited to being a specific height can be useful in a multitude of applications. Their height can be adjusted using either a hydraulic lift, a hand crank or both.

Tilting Tables:

We also manufacture certain tables whose surfaces can be tilted using a hydraulic lift and let to stand at an angle.

Light Tables:

Illuminated tables are like ordinary work tables and benches, except that they come with an added light source. Light automatically attached, usually some sort of large LED bulb or bulbs which can be turned on or off and whose intensity can be regulated. Light can either come from beneath the surface or from an overhead light boom. We can also add the ability to tilt the table surface if you require it.

Miscellaneous Features:

Our manufacturer-direct tables can also be built with a number of other useful miscellaneous features. These include wheels, which allow for mobility; overhead racks or cabinets as well ground-level shelves or cabinets, which increase storage capacity; and the ability to either drop of or add on table extensions, which can make your table longer or shorter as your specific circumstances happen to require.

Here’s a more comprehensive list of every lab bench and table we have at RDM Industrial Products.

Some Important General and Specific Benefits of Lab Tables

Generalities:

The primary general benefit of a good work table is that it provides lab researchers and staff with a reliable and sturdy place to work and keep all of the equipment that’s immediately necessary to perform their daily work. Certain units can also come equipped with cabinets, drawers or additional shelves or overhead racks. That gives these units added holding capacity. Lower shelves are also possible.

Specified Advantages:

Beyond these general advantages, our different units bring with them certain specific advantages, each unique to each type. For instance, stainless steel lab tables offer exceptional sturdiness and longevity. Our stainless steel lab tables can also be custom-designed to be chemical-resistant, flame-resistant and/or ESD static-resistant. These properties can be extremely useful when dealing with harsh, flammable or otherwise heavy-duty chemicals and tools. Anyone in search of long-term savings on lab furniture replacement costs should really give these units serious consideration.

Versatility:

Adjustable height lab tables provide a kind of versatility that is impossible for standard units. Every person is unique, and the same desk work arrangement isn’t going to be comfortable or optimal for everyone. The ability to adjust the table’s surface height enables the same unit to accommodate both short and tall workers and to be suitable both for those who enjoy working string down and for those who prefer to do it standing up.

Light Tables:

Light tables comprise a special category all their own. Their peculiar use lies in their ability to illuminate dark environments and to provide excellent visibility for experimental and research tasks where precision is essential.

Our Lab Tables Made With

Stainless Steel:

Used as a major building material, in constructing each quality-designed lab bench and table from RDM. Stainless steel is used in our other industrial-quality furniture as well. The reason why is fairly obvious. Reliability and sturdiness are indispensable in environments where caustic and corrosive chemicals are everywhere and there is always some risk of a spill.

Wood:

For simpler and less critical tasks, however, we also make standard wooden lab tables in many of the shapes and sizes already described. Such tables can be useful not only for simpler experimental work, but also as a place to keep a computer and allow clerks, receptionists and other workers of that sort to ply their trades.

Conclusion

Any research centre seeking to be efficient, well-managed, organized and comfortable for the working staff – including a collection of custom-designed laboratory tables is a simple fix. Of course, recognizing that labs have different needs, we build our tables according to a wide ranged of shapes and styles and use a diverse but dependable set of materials. We place into your hands the power to outfit them with all sorts of special features, both major and minor. Because we know that, while all labs have peculiar needs, the laboratory table is the backbone of any laboratory.

Over the course of RDM’s more than four-decade-long history, our products continue to be manufactured in the USA. We encourage you to take a look at what laboratory furnishings we have in stock and let us help you bring your lab up to the next level.

The post Let’s Talk Lab Tables – The Backbone of Any Laboratory appeared first on RDM Industrial Products.

But these are myths — in some cases, exaggerations or misstatements, in others outright falsehoods. Many of these myths are interrelated and feed into one another. Worse yet, the misapprehensions they engender keep people from availing themselves of what can be incredibly useful tools.

RDM Industrial Products has 40 plus years of experience creating laboratory and industrial furniture. So we know a thing or two about how a light table works. Since we want you to be in the know – here are five of the most common light table myths debunked.

1. The Lighting Bills Can Become Expensive

RDM Tilt Top Light Table – Model A-109P-TILT-HYD12M – Hydraulic Tilt Top Light Table.

One might be totally willing to grant the usefulness of light tables as tools in all manner of different workplace environments. And yet stay wary about buying them for a pretty mundane but important reason: cost. Specifically, even if the cost of the table itself is not much of an issue, fears about accumulating light bills might be, especially in larger labs, factories or design firms that may have to keep many of these units running at once for hours at a time.

Rest assured, this not something for you to worry about. RDM’s light inspection tables all use LED lights. LED light are incredibly efficient and long-lasting. Advances in technology over the last number of years have have substantially brought down not only the up-front costs that one needs to pay to buy lights like this, but also the amount of energy that they use as well. According to most estimates, LED lights consume about 75% percent less electricity than ordinary incandescent lights.

Energy cost per unit simply will not be a major factor for you. If your operation can handle the cost of buying the units themselves, it can also handle the cost of powering them.

2. The Light They Provide is Not Bright Enough

As soon as one hears about the impressive energy efficiency and low electricity usage of LED bulbs, another worry begins to creep in about inspection tables — this time about the brightness and usefulness of the lights they use. A laymen could be forgiven for believing that if LED lights really use as little electricity as they do, then their ability to illuminate a surface just can’t be terribly impressive.

Once again, this is simply false. There’s a very quick and easy way to refute this misconception. Just turn on an LED light and see what happens! If you still don’t think that these lights are bright enough for you, you may need to have your eyes examined.

For those who would like a more detailed explanation of why and how the LED lights in our light panels and tables are able to generate such impressive luminosity – you can get more LED info here. LED lights, however, are special in that they use two-lead semiconductors. These semiconductors are designed to excite electrons in such a way as to produce a great deal of light but relatively little heat. Hence, LED lights’ intense brightness and their energy efficiency.

3. They Only Provide Lighting in a One-Dimensional Way

Light inspection tables with LED lights are energy efficient and bright enough to make even the darkest areas eminently visible. However, the truth is that explosive brightness is not always called for in every situation. Sometimes, you might require only a moderate amount of light. And at other times, only the faintest glow will be appropriate. If our LED units only offered the one-dimensional advantage of blaringly intense luminosity, you might think they aren’t worth the investment.

But again, to think this way would be to fall prey to a misconception. Illuminated tables are not one-trick ponies that can only light things up for you only a single, narrowly circumscribed way. Years ago, when LED lights were a relatively new thing, it was not possible to either dim or brighten them effectively due to the peculiar properties of their electrical circumstances. However, technology has surmounted this problem. Today, an LED light can be dimmed or brightened just as well as any fluorescent or incandescent light.

Indeed all of our factory-direct units come equipped with remote dimmer switches. Not only can you change their lighting intensity at will, you can do so without even having to touch them.

4. There’s Only Really One Kind of Light Table

If your entire image of an inspection table is simply as some fixed surface with a white light source emitting out from underneath it, let us assure you that this doesn’t even begin to exhaust what illuminated tables can be. As with all of our industrial furniture and other manufacturer-direct products, we can customize these tables for you in myriad ways.

For instance, light can flow out from beneath the table’s surface. But if you require overhead lighting, we can also build units for you with overhead light booms. Overhead racks can also be added if you need to hang some items nearby as you work. We’ve already mentioned that we can give you the ability to regulate your light’s intensity. But you can choose the color that suits you as well. In addition to the standard white, our tables can be made to emit red, blue, green and other kinds of light as well.

Furthermore, you need not limit yourself simply to the use of a flat horizontal surface. You can also order special models which allow you to tilt their surface to whatever angle you require using either a hand crank or a hydraulic motor. Thus, you can have light tables for drawing or many other purposes. The hand crank or hydraulic motor can also be used to raise or lower the table vertically. Height adjustability can range anywhere between six and sixteen inches, depending on your specifications. The hydraulic lift system can also be customized to bear as much as 3,000 pounds of weight.

Not only this, but some of our models aren’t even tables. We also manufacture light panels that can be flipped around and left totally vertical. And, any light table model can incorporate wheels for mobility purposes.

With so many customization options, we urge you not to fall into the trap of thinking that if you’ve seen one light table, you’ve seen them all.

5. A Light Table Has Limited Use

At first glance, perhaps the one thing that might come to mind for you in regard to this whole topic is an image of an architectural planner hunched over a table in a dark room. You picture the light glaring out and illuminating his entire immediate work area. That’s certainly one way to put a light inspection table to use, but it’s far from the only way.

Artists who take advantage of their tilt feature can profitably enjoy light tables for drawing. Doctors and medical technicians can put them to use while examining x-rays or other important medical documents or information. Scientists can use them to light up their immediate work areas so they can see exactly what they are doing as they combine the ingredients of sensitive or potentially volatile reactions together. When there’s no room for error, that light can be an indispensable tool.

Light inspection tables can be utilized for more than their intended use. Any industry or aspect of work where concentrated light is regularly needed can benefit from having them around.

Conclusion

Light tables and panels are incredibly valuable tools. Many have already come to see this, and they’re prevalence in workplaces of all sorts has grown accordingly. Alas, many continue to believe some persistent myths about them and their most critical components. We’re it not for these myths, we are sure that they would be even more widely used than they are.

Now that some of the most common of these misconceptions have been swept away from your mind, we encourage you to check out our full selection of illuminated light tables and panels — all proudly manufactured in the USA.

The post Common Light Table Myths Debunked appeared first on RDM Industrial Products.

Since a good inspection table offers something for seemingly everyone, we’re going to take a look here at exactly what these tools are and what they can do for you. Along the way, we’ll also discuss some of the many different features that RDM Industrial Products can add to its tables. RDM has been in the business of building industrial furniture for more than 40 years, and all of our products are proudly manufactured in the USA. The great range and diversity of customization options for our light panels is a particular source of pride for us.

With that, let’s discuss the nature and benefits of our illuminated light inspection tables.

What Are Light Inspection Tables & What Can You Use Them For?

RDM Tilting Light Inspection Table – Model LT-100P VERT LIGHT PANEL

As already alluded to, what we’re fundamentally talking about here are simply tables, panels, or some other kinds of flat surfaces, plus some sort of light source to go along with that surface to illuminate everything that might be happening on it.

The greater visibility that this setup affords is essential to working at a wide variety of tasks with the proper level of care and precision. Just to give a few examples, suppose that you’re a researcher in a chemistry lab, and you need to mix chemicals in exact proportions. Poor visibility would increase the likelihood of mismeasurement, which, depending on the nature of the chemicals being used, may have dangerous consequences.

A further consideration for scientists working with potentially dangerous substances is the following: if you need light, it may, in some cases, be inconvenient, or even dangerous, to rely entirely on a light source coming from above. The need for greater illumination may require you to pull an overhead light bulb closer to your work area, which could potentially expose you to danger.

Outside of any kind of work involving scientific research, experimentation, or the triggering of volatile reactions, tabletop light tables may also be useful for engineers, artists, architects, or anyone else who must carefully examine drawings, design plans, schematic diagrams, and the like. Light tables for drawing would be indispensable for preparing and creating such plans or drawings. Medical workers who need to look at x-ray results could also use them, for instance.

The number of areas where these tables can be of use, though, is really potentially limitless. Any kind of work where you need to see what you’re doing and act with precision could potentially qualify.

A Few Important Features & Benefits of Light Tables

Now that you have some idea of what you’re looking at and why you might need light inspection tables, let’s finally get down to brass tacks. What kinds of light panels can RDM design for you, and what can we make them do?

At the most basic level, all of our models are roughly rectangular-shaped benches or tables with frames made of stainless steel. The table surfaces themselves can be made of anything from stainless steel, glass, plastic laminate, or wood. For tables that stream out the light from below the surface, glass is usually ideal to allow for proper illumination. If you prefer a table with an overhead light boom, we can make the surface from other materials besides that.

Here are a few other important features and customization options available to you:

• Light Colors: We can custom build tables for you that emit any color of light that you please. The standard color is bright fluorescent white, but green red, blue is also available. We should make clear that these color options usually apply to tables whose light is emitted from beneath their surfaces rather than to tables with an overhead light boom. However, if you want an overhead light boom to emit light of some nonstandard color, contact us and we may be able to work that out for you.
• Light Types: The lights on our panels and tables are all either LED or fluorescent lights. They also come with dimmer switches that allow you to regulate the intensity of the light to whatever level you find appropriate. All lighting materials are inside the lightbox. The tables can also be easily plugged into electrical outlets.
• Desk Height and Hydraulic Lifts: 30 inches is the standard height for most of our desks and workbenches, though if you require them to be ADA accessible or for it to be convenient to work at them while standing, we can vary the height to about 36 inches. For maximum versatility and convenience, however, we suggest getting a table with a hydraulic lift. This will allow you to vary the table’s height to any of a number of different levels, from as little as 6 to as much as 30 inches. You can choose to have a table whose height can be varied via either a manual hand crank, an electric motor, or both. The motor can have a lift capacity of anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 pounds. The manual crank provides lifting power of 250 to 500 pounds.
• Tilting: If you want light tables for drawing, outfitting your light inspection tables with the ability to tilt their surfaces is especially useful. Table surfaces can be tilted, using either a manual hand crank or an electric motor, anywhere from 0 to 90 degrees. Furthermore, we can also build for you an adjustable height tilt top light table that allows you not only to tilt your work surface but to vary the height of the workstation itself. Adjustable height tilt top light tables thus give you the best of both worlds in these two important areas of customizability.
• Surface Options: In addition to the different surface materials already mentioned, you can also make some of our tables surfaces ESD static resistant and/or chemical resistant if you need to.
• Foot Rests: Many of our tables have as part of their frames a steel cross-member by the bottom. You can use this as a convenient footrest while you sit and work.
• Racks: If you need to have some extra materials or tools close at hand while you work, you may want to consider adding a utility rack to your table. It’s easy to tack on an extra overhead light to the rack as well.

We’ve only just scratched the surface here of what our many different light inspection tables can do and how you can customize them. To get a fuller picture, we encourage you to check out our full selection of factory-direct and quality-designed light tables.

Conclusion

In all things related to industrial furniture, RDM is here to put its top-class expertise to work for you and your lab or business. Light tables’ tremendously impressive applicability to a wide array of situations and the vast range of options that our own manufacturer-direct customizability puts at your fingertips means that almost no matter what you’re in the business of doing, you can stand to benefit in at least some way from having these tables around.

Whether you need tabletop light tables, ones with overhanging light fixtures, or any other type, we advise taking a look at what RDM has on offer.

The post Key Benefits of Light Tables & Inspection Tables appeared first on RDM Industrial Products.

Types & Models of Light Tables

RDM Light Table – Model F-103PDL-LT

We provide a variety of manufacturer direct, industrial quality illuminated tables for your needs. Our most popular choices include:

• Flat table with top light
• Adjustable height tilt-top light tables
• Flat table with overhead boom
• Light panels for inspection or drafting

Remember that these are our most popular models. There are many other light inspection tables or light tables for drawing to choose from. The important thing to note is that you have options. The main options include adjustability and where the light source is coming from.

When it comes to adjusting, some of our tables allow you to adjust the height while others allow you to tilt the table to make it better for drawing or drafting. In terms of the light source, some of our light tables use a plastic or glass surface that illuminates from underneath while others also include an overhead light source that shines down. Both have their applications, so it depends on which one is best for your needs.

Would you prefer frosted glass or a chemically-resistant top? These are possible. Just make sure to specify that before ordering and contact us for a quote.

Reasons for Using Light Tables

These tables have many benefits over standard tables. These tables provide the direct illumination you need for tracing lines, reviewing images, or as inspection tables when looking at products, drawings, or anything else. You might think that you can just use a standard table with a light source like a lamp, but these light panel tables are far more convenient.

They give you strong, direct light exactly where you need it. This is helpful in drawing and drafting. It’s essential for certain industries when looking for clash detection with ducts or reviewing radiographs. Using this table makes these jobs easier and can even save money by reducing mistakes and enhancing productivity.

Common Industries

Many industries use these tables. Our quality designed tables can be found in graphic design offices, drafting and drawing companies, hospitals, and whenever checking for clashes from different industrial drawings.

When it comes to graphic design, drafting and drawing companies, these light tables for drawing make it much easier to manually trace underdrawings. This also allows you to illuminate thick pieces of paper for more professional results. Not only that, but these tables allow professionals to alter drawings with ease.

Medical offices use these as inspection tables to check radiographs and other medical images. These can be difficult to see without strong light. Simply place the image on the table and the light will help you interpret the image.

Clash checking is essential for many industries, such as plumbers, contractors, or anyone working with multiple plans at once. For example, a plumber might find that there is a clash with the ducts and other parts of the building. Resolving the problem can save money or make repairs easier.

Key Features & Benefits

There are several key features and benefits. Since all our tables are proudly made in the USA, you can expect us to use only the best, most durable materials. We can also customize the tables to fit your needs. From enhanced lighting to superior materials like frosted glass, let us know what you need and we can accommodate you.

One of the key features is the light source. You can choose to have the light hang overhead, or it can a florescent or LED lightbox located within the table itself. The lights can be dimmed with an included remote so that you get as much or as little light as you need.

You can also choose between standard or tilt tables depending on your needs. If you know that you will never need to tilt the table, then standard ones should be fine. If you’re using this for drawing or want to inspect images at an angle, then get a tilting table. This gives you improved comfort while using these light inspection tables.

What You Need to Know Before Buying

Since these are manufacturer direct and we build the tables ourselves, we can easily customize the tables to your needs. This will help you see which factors are important when choosing these tables.

You’ll first want to consider the light itself. Do you need an overhead light along with the internal light in the table? You might also need a stronger overall light, which we can accommodate. All tables come with dimmers as a standard feature.

You need to get a table that’s large enough for your needs. You should be able to place drawings or images on it without worrying about the table being too small. We offer many sizes and can even make larger or smaller ones based on your needs.

Tilting is a common feature that you should consider. Standard tables are good if you don’t mind standing over the images, but a tilting table gives you more support when drawing or sitting down.

There are several surfaces to choose from. You can choose a hardened industrial plastic that is translucent and durable. You can also choose tempered glass or frosted glass if you would prefer them. Chemically-resistant surfaces are also possible for more versatile industrial applications.

In Conclusion

Light panel tables are useful for many different industries and applications. If you’re drawing, inspecting, checking medical images, or need a strong, direct light, then you’ll find that these light tables are essential. Not only our are manufacturer direct tables proudly built in the USA, but we at RDM Industrial Products can customize every feature of these tables until they suit your needs. Let us know what you need and we will accommodate you.

The post Purchasing Light Tables – Things To Consider appeared first on RDM Industrial Products.

RDM Light Table – Model F-103PDL-LT-TILT-01 – Tilt Top Light Table with Optional Features: Full Lower Shelf, Casters, and 90-Degree Tilt Top

And yet these simple tools can be indispensable to many. Including scientists, lab workers, industrial workers, artists, and all manner of professionals across a wide variety of fields. Once you have them in your lab or studio, you won’t want to go without them. You will be able to examine anything you place onto them with as much care and rigor as your project requires.

Here is some crucial information about what these implements can do for you and why they are so important.

What Can Light Tables Be Used For?

Precision is essential in all laboratory work. To be confident that you or your researchers are always performing your experiments and other laboratory tasks with the requisite precision, everything in the lab should be clearly and consistently illuminated. This is especially true in cases where the work in question is delicate.

In a chemistry lab, for instance, where precise quantities of potentially volatile chemicals must be mixed or reacted with other substances, there is simply no room for error. The value of good lighting in such cases cannot be overestimated. But relying on light bulbs or other overhead sources to provide that lighting can sometimes be inappropriate. Often, overhead bulbs are the only light sources to which you can turn on in the lab. That light source, just might not be enough when it matters most. You may find yourself pulling bulbs closer to you or otherwise manipulating them into shinning light precisely on those areas where it is needed. This is obviously inconvenient, and may sometimes even be dangerous. A source of light coming from below can offer an easy solution to such problems.

For engineers and architects who need to examine schematic diagrams to plan out their work, an illuminated inspection table can simplify and speed up work enormously. Just lay the schematics out flat on the table, switch on the light, and any and every important detail becomes immediately visible. For engineers and architects who need to draw up their own schematics, inspection tables are of obvious value as well.

A factory direct and industrial quality light table from RDM Industrial Products can be a stupendous tool in these and similar situations.

Some Key Features and Benefits

To further flesh out what RDM industrial light tables can do and how they can help you, it’s useful to go over some of their most salient features. It’s also worthwhile to mention some of the variations in these features that you’re likely to find between the models sold by RDM:

• Design Styles: The three most common design styles are those of a standard table, a workbench, and a panel. The standard style is simply that of an ordinary rectangular table. Depending on the model, you will either have to stand over the table, sit by it, or slide a chair underneath it and sit down as you work. The workbench style is designed much like the standard table, only it also comes with an overhead rack. If needed, you may hang certain objects from the rack, which would allow you to easily access them later. Like standard tables, there are versions where you must stand over them or sit next to them, and version which let slide a chair underneath. Lastly, there is the panel design. These are vertical and can be placed up against a wall. However, RDM light panels can also be titled or flipped and made to function effectively as tables.
• Lighting Types: Tables, workbenches, and panels all use either LED or fluorescent lighting. Lights also come with dimmer switches. This feature allows you to regulate the intensity of the light in line with your needs. Light can either come from light boxes underneath the table or, in the case of tables made in the workbench style, from an overhead light attached to a rack.
• Light Colors: Usually, our models emit white light, but if you require light of other colors, like red, you may request it from us.
• Surface Types: The standard surface on our models is flat, rectangular, and stationary. However, you may request specially-designed tilting light tables that can be made to tilt by anywhere from 0 to 90 degrees.
• Surface Materials: RDM Industrial Products manufactures tables from all kinds of surface materials. Plastic laminate or glass may be sufficient for most ordinary uses. But in laboratory settings where there are hazardous or caustic chemicals, you may also request tables with surfaces made of wood, stainless steel, chemical-resistant materials, or ESD static-control materials.
• Cover Types: Tabletop covers are typically made of translucent white plastic. If you desire, you may also get glass top covers for your tables that are either 1/4” or 3/8” thick.
• Sizes: RDM Industrial Products manufactures tables, workbenches, and panels of various sizes. Some models come in a series of standard dimensions, but we can also make customized in whatever size you need.
• Miscellaneous Features: For your added convince, we also manufacture lighted workbenches with things like lower shelves or file drawers if you need them.

The Industries That Need Them and Love Them

A light table can find uses in all sorts of fields and industries. Here are just a few of them:

• Art and Architecture: A artist who needs the use of an illuminated surface to create his work or an architect who is drafting plans for his next building can both make use of light tables for drawing. Filmmakers can also use them in the editing stage of their work.
• Science and Technology: Scientists working in the lab with sensitive materials will often need to see precisely what they are doing. Having access to chemical-resistant and bright surfaces is thus very important for them.
• Industry and Engineering: Like artists and architects, engineers, surveyors, and other industry professionals will need to carefully inspect plans and schematics of all kinds in the course of their work.
• Medicine: Doctors, radiologists, medical assistants, and medical technicians will often handle sensitive patient data. Data like x-rays, that they will need to read carefully. Well-designed inspection light tables can be especially valuable to them.

With these and many other kinds of uses, light tables are versatile tools whose wide applicability makes them fundamental to efficient lab work and too many other kinds of endeavors.

Have a look at some of the tables RDM Industrial Products can offer you to help bring your lab up to the next level.

The post Features and Benefits of Industrial Light Tables appeared first on RDM Industrial Products.

What are the Different Types of Light Tables?

Light tables are built with high-quality materials and are available in different styles with many customizable features. Light tables can be adapted to many different workplaces, including medical, tough laboratory and industrial uses, as well as use by independent artists.

Standard and Drafting Light Tables

Standard light tables resemble a traditional four-legged table or workbench. Drafting tables, which are primarily light tables for drawing, are more upright and designed for drafting, art, and designing purposes. Both tables include a frosted glass surface and fluorescent lighting. Both tables also include a dimmable light switch that helps to protect the eyesight of workers.

A variety of surface options are also available, ranging from plastic-laminate to chemical-resistant solid steel. Both standard and drafting light tables are designed for heavy-duty and long-term usage. These tables, especially standard models, can also include an overhead light source to help with inspection-related tasks.

Additional Light Table Features

RDM Light Table with Tilt Top – Model A-109P-TILTHYD-LT

Tilting Light Tables

This type of light table provides better access, view, and ergonomics when sitting. Did you know, a tilt top surface can be adjusted between 0 and 90 degrees, depending on your needs? That’s kind of cool – right? These types of tables are ideal for drafting, designing, and artistic work.

Height Adjustable Light Tables

These light tables are a great option when more than one person will be using the table. Having an adjustable height allows different people to use the table comfortably.  This option also helps to reduce workplace injuries, such as muscle strains, caused by poor ergonomics. Height Adjustable Light Tables are available with hydraulic or mechanical lifts.

Mobile Light Tables

Mobile versions of light tables or light inspection tables are also available. These tables include wheels that make it easy to move the tables within the workplace. These mobile light tables include high-quality castors which can also lock the table in place. This ensures a fixed table and a high level of stability for completing sensitive tasks.

Who Uses Light Tables and Light Inspection Tables?

As previously mentioned, light tables are used within a variety of industries. Graphic designers use tables regularly, to illuminate layouts for editing, design plans, and even for working with animation.

Light tables are also very popular among architects. Light tables for drawing and the tracing of layouts and blueprints are essential to this field of work. This table is especially useful for stacking multiple blueprints on top of one another to visualize a final project in its entirety.

Light inspection tables are used to help with inspection and investigation-related tasks. One example is inspecting differences between documents within the construction and plumbing industries. Another example is inspecting parts at a manufacturing company.

In the medical field, light tables are most often used to inspect X-rays or MRIs. In the educational field, many high schools and universities use light tables to teach art classes, such as animation.

 To learn more about light tables click here

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