Nelson Air has supplied a number of spherical air bearings for both research and industrial use. These bearings provide excellent load capacity and stiffness while allowing three axes of inherently frictionless rotational motion. Commonly used for zero-g satellite research, they have also been used in systems for precision chip bonding and optical alignment. Extremely rigid spindles can be made using a spherical bearing at each end of the spindle shaft. This arrangement also allows precision alignment of the spindle shaft on the fly by moving one spherical bearing relative to the other.

We can also provide custom pedestals and air handling equipment to mount our spherical bearings for your application.

Typical Spherical Air Bearing Features:

• Freedom of rotation in 3 directions
• Center of rotation stability of ±5 millionths of an inch
• Load capacity from 1 lb to 750 lbs
• Operating pressure from 30 psi to 90 psi
• Material: Bronze outer / Stainless Steel inner

Please contact us to discuss your exact needs and for more detailed specifications.