ABTech Blog

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...

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...

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.

For many machine builders, there comes a time when off-the-shelf air-bearing devices will not suffice. Sometimes, an existing unit needs a custom component for a retrofit, say, to increase accuracy. And other times, like for new development projects, the air bearing design requires some expert...

A linear stage is a motion control device used in many industrial applications. At ABTech, we design, engineer, and build linear stages—they’re one of the main categories of high-performance, precision motion machines we manufacture. In this post, we’ll introduce the basics of linear stages,...

Most engineers start exploring the benefits of air bearings once their manufacturing tolerances drop to less than 1 micron. Why is that? Unlike mechanical, metal, or ball bearings, an air bearing provides zero-friction operation, absolute repeatability, and requires little maintenance. But it’s an...

From aerospace to medical devices, to additive manufacturing, some of the most challenging precision manufacturing environments depend on motion solutions such as air bearings to deliver extraordinary, sub-micron-level accuracies and near-perfect repeatability. But every precision motion challenge...

Innovative manufacturers are always looking to create a better products. Many are turning to air bearings to achieve this goal as they offer distinct advantages over ball bearings in a variety of applications. This article will cover the basics of air bearings, their benefits, and some common...

When working in manufacturing, measurement systems are oftentimes the key to accuracy. While we learn how to measure with a ruler in grade school, you cannot get those types of measurements with a ruler. Accurate measurement systems in manufacturing environments require extreme precision and...

Spindles serve a critical purpose in many different manufacturing environments, and their purpose varies depending on the application. Here at ABtech, spindles are one of the three main categories of precision motion products that we manufacture. In this blog, we offer a quick guide to the basics:...