CRS Lab Table Assembly Guide 1

Assembly Instructions

This assembly guide “TBL-N” explains how to assemble a CRS lab table,
using a 3 m table with 3 m track as an example. Your table may differ
according to the size and the options you ordered.
Important: Read all of this assembly guide before unpacking your table. If
you ordered the track option, also read the Track User Guide.

Tables and Options

Lab tables are named according to the largest size of track they can
accommodate. Thus, a 3 m table can accommodate a 3 m track, but will be
somewhat larger than 3 m in length.The following tables are available:
• 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, 4 m, 5 m
The following options are available:
• Track: Tracks can be used with the 2 m, 3 m, 4 m, or 5 m tables, and
can be end-mounted or center-mounted.
• Power: AC outlets are installed in the outside faces of the 3x3 tubing.
• Incubator shelf

Required Tools
You need the following tools to assemble the lab table:
• Two 7/16 inch wrenches
• ¾ inch wrench
• Screw gun with variable torque settings, with 5/16 inch nut driver and
extension
• 3/16 inch “T” handle hex wrench
• 3/16 inch Allen key
• 4 foot level
• Several 4 inch C clamps
• 7 foot long straight edge
• Track option only: 6 mm Allen key
CRS Lab Table Assembly Guide 2

Assembling the Table

Assembling the lab table requires you complete the following steps:
1. Unpack the pieces.
2. Assemble the frame.
3. Level and tighten the frame.
4. Attach the cable conduits, bottom shelves, and table tops.

Step 1: Unpacking the Pieces

Your package will contain the following parts of the table in the quantity
appropriate for your table dimension and options:
• Leg frames
• 1x3 tubing
• Axial support beams
• 3x3 tubing
• Bottom shelves
• Table tops
• Fasteners
• 2x¼ aluminum bars with cable conduits
• Hole plugs and end caps

Incubator Shelf Option

The incubator shelf option requires the following additional parts:
• 2 shelf supports
• 3 axial support beams
Figure 1 shows where these pieces fit together, using as an example a
partially assembled 3 m lab table with an end-mounted 3 m track option.
CRS Lab Table Assembly Guide 3

3 7

3 5
1

2
6
9 4

Parts
1 2 x 2 leg frame
2 Axial support beam
3 1 x 3 tubing
4 2 x 1/4 aluminum bar with cable conduit
5 3 x 3 tubing
6 Bottom shelf
7 Angle bracket

8 Table top
9 Track bracket

Figure 1: Partially assembled 3 m table with end-mounted 3 m track option.

CRS Lab Table Assembly Guide 4

Step 2: Assembling the Frame

Lab tables are assembled at the CRS factory, partially disassembled, and
shipped. Labels added at the factory will assist you in reassembling the
table. Perform the following steps, using Figure 2 as a guide:

B
B
D
D

1 1
F 1 R
F
O
O
R

Figure 2: Assembled frame of a 3 m table, showing the locations of several labels.

Your table may differ slightly due to the size and options ordered.
1. Decide where to position your lab table. Take care to position the table
frame in the proper orientation for your system. Note that end-mounted
track assemblies are installed at the leg frame ‘0’ end of the table.
2. Starting with the leg frame (Q) labeled ‘0’, line up the leg frames on the
floor approximately 40 inches apart.
3. Position the axial support beams (R) on the floor between the leg frames.
Match the labels on the axial beams to those on the leg frames.
CRS Lab Table Assembly Guide 5

4. Loosely attach the axial support beams (R) to the leg frames (Q). Use
Figure 3 as a guide.

b c e e d b c e e a

Axial support beam

Inside leg frame End leg frame

Fasteners
a - hex head bolt 1/4-20x 2 3/4 inch plated
b - hex nut 1/4-20 plated
c - split lock washer 1/4 plated
d - hex head bolt 1/4-20 x3 inch plated
e - 1/4 nom dia flat washer plated

Figure 3: Attaching the axial beams to the leg frames, looking from above

5. Loosely mount the four lengths of 1x3 tubing (S). Match the markings on
the leg frames (Q) to the 1x3 tubing. Orient the one inch face of the 1x3
tubing with the larger holes toward the floor and the larger holes of the
three inch face away from the leg frame. Use a 3/16 inch T handle hex
wrench and ¼ -20x¾ inch long stainless steel socket head cap screws to
loosely attach the 1x3 tubing to the frame. Use 2 screws at each leg
frame.
Incubator shelf option: Mount the shorter 1x3 tubing on the side of the
table where the incubator shelf will be attached.
6. Power option only: To avoid damaging the electrical wiring that runs
through the 3x3 tubing (U), remove the faceplates and inner screws from
the electrical sockets on the side of the 3x3 tubing. Gently pull these
sockets through the opening in the tubing and let them hang. This will
allow you to see inside when attaching the tubing to the leg frames and
the tabletop to the rail.
7. Loosely mount the 3x3 tubing (U). Match the labels on the outside faces
of the frame to those on the 3x3 tubing. Orient the side with the 2 access
holes on the far ends of the tube toward the floor, and the side with the 3
or more power outlet holes away from the leg frame. Use a 3/16 inch T
handle hex wrench and ¼ -20x¾ inch long stainless steel socket head
cap screws to loosely attach the 3x3 tubings to the outside faces of the
frame. Use 2 screws at each leg frame.
Power option only: Screws dropped inside the 3x3 tubing can
cause an electrical short. Retrieve any screws that fall inside.
CRS Lab Table Assembly Guide 6

8. Incubator shelf option only: Loosely mount the incubator shelf

supports (not shown). Match the labels on the supports to the labels on
the leg frames. Use a 3/16 inch T handle hex wrench and ¼ -20x¾ inch
long stainless steel socket head cap screws to attach the supports to the
frame. Use two screws at each leg frame. Position two axial support
beams between the incubator end leg frame and the next leg frame.
Fasten them in place with the smaller holes found in the cross beam of
the leg frame, using fasteners a b c e shown in Figure 3. Fasten to
finger tightness. Position a third axial support beam between the
incubator table supports. Using fasteners a b c e shown in Figure 3,
fasten to finger tightness.

Step 3: Leveling and Tightening the Frame

Perform the following steps to level and tighten the frame:
1. Starting by facing the leg frame (Q) labeled ‘0’, place a four foot level
across the lower crossbeam and adjust the leveling feet until the casters
are about ¼ inch off the floor and the crossbeam is level across the leg
frame from left to right.
2. Place the level across the span from leg frame ‘0’ to leg frame ‘1’, close to
the outer left side of the leg frames. Adjust the foot of leg frame ‘1’ until
level. Repeat this process for each leg frame along the left side of the
table.
3. Facing the other end leg frame, place the level across the lower cross
beam and adjust the leveling feet until the casters are about ¼ inch off
the floor and the crossbeam is level across the leg frame from right to
left.
4. Repeat the leveling process used in step 3 along the remaining side of the
table, moving from the end of the table towards leg frame ‘0’.
5. Perform a final check that everying is level. When satisfied, tighten the
lock nuts up to the frame.
6. Tighten the loosely installed socket head cap screws in the 1x3 tubings
(S). Ensure that the axial beams are flush with the 2x2 crossbeams of
the leg frame.

Caution: Do not over-tighten the socket head cap screws. If you meet
heavy resistance, back the screw out a half turn. Over-tightening may
loosen the rivet nut inside the leg frame.
7. Check the overall squareness of the framework using a long tape
measure. Compare the diagonal measurements from outside leg corners
as shown in Figure 4, and adjust if necessary. The difference between the
diagonal measurements should be less than 1/16 of an inch.
CRS Lab Table Assembly Guide 7

Track assembly

Figure 4: Top view of an assembled 3 m lab table with end-mounted 3 m track option

Step 4: Adding the Cable Conduits, Table Tops, and

Bottom Shelves
Perform the following steps to add the cable conduits, table tops, and bottom
shelves:
1. Position the two 2x¼ aluminum bars with attached plastic conduit (T)
along the upper cross beams of the leg frames (Q). Match the markings
on the leg frames to those on the 2x¼ steel bars. Use a 2.5 mm Allen key
and M4 fasteners to attach the aluminum bars to the leg frames.
2. Examine the bottom shelves (V). Each shelf is notched to fit around the
leg frames. The larger notches fit around the end leg frames, and the
smaller notches fit around the inner leg frames. Slide the shelves in place
and check that they are lying flat.
3. Track option only: Lower your track assembly in place, with the track
connectors at the leg frame ‘0’ end of the table. Do not fasten it to the
frame.
4. Carefully place the tabletops (X) over the frame. Match the markings on
the underside of the tabletops to those on the leg frames. Note the
locations of the predrilled holes in the bottom of the tabletops.
Track option only: You will have a gap of approximately 1½ inches
between the tabletops.
5. Use several clamps to temporarily hold all tabletops in place, taking care
to keep the markings on the tabletops aligned with the markings on the
leg frames. Check that the tabletops are making flush contact with the
the angle brackets (W), the 1x3 tubing (S), and the 3x3 tubing (U). Shim
if required, keeping in mind that the surface of the table must be kept
level.
6. Working from underneath the table, secure each tabletop in place, using
#10x1 hex head screws and a 5/16-inch nut driver. Fasten the tabletops
to the angle brackets (W), the 1x3 tubing (S), and the 3x3 tubing (U)
using the predrilled holes. Take care that the tabletops do not shift. The
CRS Lab Table Assembly Guide 8

surface must remain flush and level.

Track option: Secure the track cover plate on the tabletop at the track
access opening using eight #8x1 inch long flat head Philips wood screws
and a No. 2 Phillips screwdriver. Center the track assembly over the
track brackets (Y) using the markings on the underside of the track as a
guide. Fasten the track to the frame using the instructions found in the
Track User Guide.
7. Install the hole plugs and the end caps in the 1x3 tubing (S). The hole
plugs are push-ins that are used as aesthetic covers for all of the access
holes located in the outer three-inch faces of the tubing. Using a soft-
faced hammer, install an end cap into each end of the four lengths of 1x3
tubing.
Power option only: Cover all unused openings with blank covers.