Case Studies
18,000 RPM Air Bearing Spindles for Image Scanning in Harsh Conditions
The Challenge Design an inspection system for a European high-speed rail system – that must function accurately in harsh conditions while moving 75 mph. The Design Solution We designed a set of three high-speed air bearing spindles that were synchronized for the 3-dimensional image scanning and inline inspection. To inspect the track, switches, tunnels and…
[read more]
2-Axis Air Bearing Lathe and Metrology Work Cell for Manufacturing Transmission Parts
Increasingly tighter part tolerances on transmission parts made it more difficult for typical off-shore sourcing channels to meet the quality standards being demanded by the major automotive manufacturers. To solve this international sourcing logistics problem, a leading manufacturer of OEM automotive parts contracted ABTech to design and manufacture a turnkey work cell. The objective…
[read more]
5-Axis Air Bearing Optical Measurement Metrology Platform
OptiPro Systems, a well-respected optical machine manufacturer, contacted ABTech thinking that they simply needed a supplier of air bearing stages to enable them to develop a prototype metrology station. When the dust settled, they left with a complete motion system. The reason was simple: core competencies. We didn’t set out to up-sell OptiPro. We set…
[read more]
5-Axis Air Bearing Platform with 0.01 Micron Accuracy for Lawrence Livermore
In 2005, the engineers at the University of California’s Lawrence Livermore Labs needed a high precision air bearing system, a target assembly station with a position accuracy of 4 millionths of an inch – that’s 0.0000004 inches (or 0.01 microns!). The alignment of the two half shells of the target was very critical for the…
[read more]
AT400 Direct Drive Rotary Air Bearing Installed at the South Pole
Researchers at Princeton University needed a large diameter ultra-precision rotational axis with a motor drive. Sounds routine. But there were some catches that made this project more than a bit unusual. First, the entire research project needed to be installed on the top of a rotary table. Second, they needed to run their tests continuously…
[read more]
Custom Air Bearing Radial Thickness Gage for Measuring Engine Bearings
A major US engine manufacturer had a unique metrology requirement: in order to determine wear patterns and evaluate new materials and coatings, they needed a gage that could measure thickness variation on engine bearing halves before and after Dyno testing. The gage needed to have an accuracy of 0.25 microns or better, and a resolution…
[read more]
EAS3000-2T for Stack Projection of GE-9X Engine
The GE9X is one of GE Aviation’s latest engine developments. The engine itself is as wide as a Boeing 737 fuselage. Designed to power Boeing’s 777X – the biggest twinjet ever – the GE9X is cleaner, quieter, and more fuel-efficient than its predecessor the GE90 and is critical to help maintain GE’s leadership position in…
[read more]
MicroForm Custom Large Capacity Roundness Gage for Fives Giddings & Lewis
According to the Quality Team at Fives Giddings & Lewis, “At Fives Giddings & Lewis, we have always prided ourselves in inspecting part pieces and assemblies to an extremely high degree of accuracy.” Over the years they have employed high-speed spindle assemblies and precise part pieces to ensure that goal was continually achieved. The company…
[read more]
Multi-functional Air Bearing Machines for NASA NuStar X-ray Telescope
NASA needed a machine that would safely and quickly produce optics for their long-delayed NuSTAR X-ray telescope. So the scientists as NASA challenged ABTech to develop a multifunctional machine that would act as a grinding lathe, an indexing tool for raster grinding, and an assembly station - all in one. ABTech met the challenge. The…
[read more]
New Air Bearing Spindle Designed for Precision Grinding
The application was ultra-precision optical grinding but with a twist. The manufacturer wanted the spindle design to be robust enough to overcome catastrophic crashes that were frequently experienced with their primary supplier. The solution: design a spindle with high accuracy and stiffness at speeds up to 10,000 RPMs, with low air consumption, liquid cooling and…
[read more]
Recent Case Studies
We use 2 ABTech air-bearing spindles with tip/tilt and centering capability in our facility. These units are used for precision assembly and final metrology. We have never had an issue with either one, and the ABTech team is a great partner for us. We will be adding more systems as our young organization continues to grow.Jayson TiersonPresident
Vertex Optics
Made in the U.S.A of U.S. and imported parts
Every product we sell exemplifies our company-wide commitment to "Pride in Precision" craftsmanship. To that end, all of our products are designed, manufactured, and tested exclusively by ABTech at our New Hampshire facility.
