Spherical Air Bearings

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Spherical Air Bearings

 

Standard sizes shown in chart below are now offered with shortened lead times.

Multiaxis rotational degree of freedom is often achieved using a spherical air bearing.  Our standard SRA series spherical bearings provide frictionless motion in a very compact envelope with convenient mounting features.  With standard tilt models, the unique design provides higher side load capacity than competing designs.  An important consideration for satellite simulators.  Whether withstanding the rigors of testing multi-ton spacecraft or providing highly accurate frictionless wafer-plane alignment in semiconductor tools, this versatile design offers a wide performance range and application use.  See our demonstration video1. Video2. Video3. Video4. Video5.

The standard series offers a unique galling-resistant bearing surface which allows for occasional contact between the two rotating components.  This property is essential in research applications where frequent assembly and disassembly of the payload occurs.  These bearings also include a proprietary vibration dampening feature which greatly lessens the onset of air film instability or pneumatic hammer due to possible dynamic changes in the payload assembly.

The gimbal-type support can support side and vertical load capacities ranging from 1 kg to 10000 kg.  Housing materials may include: stainless steel, aluminum, brass, glass, nickel, super invar, Macor, PEEK, ceramic, graphite, porous carbon & others.

Optional accessories include: pedestal, stage platform, angular encoder, filtration system, air compressor and more.

Please inquire about our Additional Hardware and Mounting Components

Specifications Specifications

Model
 
Tilt +/-
( degrees )

Spherical 

Radius
( inches )

Vertical Load Capacity

(30 deg model)
( lbf )

Side

Load

Capacity

(30 deg

model)

(lbf)

Downloads

 pdf

SRA100
30 or 45
1.00
69
20
Download PDF
SRA150
30 or 45
1.50
171
50
Download PDF
SRA200
30 or 45
2.00
318
101
30° or 45°  
SRA250
30 or 45
2.50
510
160
30° or 45°  
SRA300
30 or 45
3.00
748
230
30° or 45°    
SRA350
30 or 45
3.50
1031
268
30° or 45°  
SRA400
30 or 45
4.00
1359
355
Download PDF
SRA850
30 or 45
8.50
12,180
1927
30° or 45°  
Air quality requirements...        
As part of the standard manufacturing process and immediately prior to shipment, each bearing is fully characterized for performance using our custom-designed testing equipment.  Automated data acquistion provides consistent, accurate and speedy measurement of relevant parameters including: load capacity, flying height, flow rate, vacuum preload, temperature, humidity, inlet pressure, film pressure, barometric pressure, etc. Bearing surface flatness is measured using the latest non-contact optical laser interferometers