US-Made Air Bearing Linear Guides – Passive & Motorized Options
Auburn, MA — PI (Physik Instrumente), a global leader in precision motion control and positioning solutions, offers standard and custom air bearing linear slides. Based on decades of experience from PI’s USA engineering and manufacturing teams, these air bearings are designed for applications requiring ultra-smooth, zero stick-slip linear motion and sub-micron straightness and flatness.
PI USA Provides Engineered Precision Gantry Positioning Systems
More on Air Bearing Linear Guides / Linear Slides
Frictionless Motion Performance for Demanding Applications
Air bearing slides float on a thin film of pressurized air, eliminating mechanical contact between moving and stationary components. This design delivers virtually zero friction, zero wear, and exceptional motion uniformity, making them ideal for:
- Precision metrology and surface profiling
- Semiconductor wafer inspection and processing
- Optical and mechanical alignment, precision assembly
- Ultra-high-resolution scanning systems
- Research and laboratory instrumentation
Key Features & Benefits
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- 50 to 1000mm motion range
- 9 platform sizes: 50×50 to 300x300mm
- Up to 760kg load
- Sub-micrometer-level straightness and flatness
- No lubrication required, eliminating particulate generation
- Zero backlash and zero stick-slip for smooth, uniform motion
- Long-term performance with no mechanical wear
- Configurable for integration with integrated motors, linear encoders, or external drive systems
Engineered for Integration
These U.S.-manufactured passive air bearing rails can be paired with manual adjustment mechanisms or integrated into larger automated positioning systems using linear motors or other actuation technologies. Available in multiple sizes and load capacities, PI’s slides are cleanroom-compatible and can be customized for specialized environments, including vacuum applications.
Industries Served
Optical metrology, surface profiling, Semiconductor wafer inspection, optical and mechanical alignment, precision assembly, laser technology, tribology, high-resolution scanning systems, research and laboratory instrumentation.
Read Article: 7 Reasons Why Air Bearings Outperform Mechanical Bearings
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