ABTech Blog

Specialty Manufacturing: Choosing Between Custom and Standard Air Bearing Devices

As a machine tool builder, you face tough-to-make decisions; one is where to source the precision motion components for machine tools. Should you opt for an off-the-shelf supplier or choose a specialty manufacturer? Truthfully, both options have a place.
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Air Bearing Devices: What to Look For When Choosing a Custom Machine Builder

Commissioning a precision motion device involves more diligence than ordering an off-the-shelf unit; it’s about embarking on a journey with a custom machine builder, collaborating throughout the project’s entirety. Understandably, it pays to find a supplier with the necessary skills and experience...
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The Art of Controlling Costs in Custom Machine Design

Precision engineering is a critical part of many advanced industries. Looking at aerospace and semiconductor manufacturing, for instance, it’s clear that stringent standards and sub-micron accuracy demands are the norm.
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Sky’s No Limit: NuSTAR’s Launch & ABTech’s Asset Value Recovery – Part 3

In this three-part series, we’ve examined ABTech’s role in assembling the optical module for a NASA space telescope; part 3 concludes the journey with validation testing, the launch of NuSTAR, and some resourceful repurposing by ABTech.
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Sky’s No Limit: Developing the Spindles & Slides for NuSTAR’s Optics Module – Part 2

In this three-part series, we look over ABTech’s contribution to the lenses of NASA’s NuSTAR Telescope; part 2 covers the project’s daring timeline and high standards of workmanship.
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SPIE Optifab 2023: Highlights from ABTech’s Booth

ABTech’s team recently returned from Rochester, New York after attending SPIE Optifab 2023. It was a rainy weekend in Upstate New York, but our team was cozy at the event, and we felt sunny while visiting with friends, new and old. As we wrote in our event preview, we consider this event a...
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Sky’s No Limit: NASA Engages ABTech in Building the NuSTAR Telescope – Part 1

Image credit: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory In this series, we’ll recount how ABTech’s expertise shaped the lenses of NASA’s NuSTAR space telescope; part 1 looks at the project approach, engineering design, and plans for validation. As the NuSTAR telescope observes another year in space, the...
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Your Guide to Attending SPIE Optifab 2023

SPIE Optifab 2023 is the largest optical manufacturing conference and exhibition in North America, and it’s coming up in October. The event showcases the latest optics technology and industry research, making attendance well worth it. At ABTech, we’re long-time supporters of Optifab—it’s one of our...
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SPIE Orlando 2023 – ABTech’s Highlights and Takeaways

ABTech recently had a booth at Orlando's 2023 SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing conference. It was exciting to attend one of the biggest shows in the industry. While the turnout for the show was smaller than in previous years, the event was a success. We had many valuable opportunities to talk to...
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Single Point Diamond Turning: How Air Bearings Improve Optical Accuracy

As technology advances, many manufacturers require tools with cutting-edge accuracy. Single point diamond turning (SPDT) is one of today's most precise CNC processes. Equipped with an air-bearing spindle, an SPDT machine can finish parts to an accuracy of less than a millionth of an inch.
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