Quality air bearings can only be produced where there exists a means to accurately inspect and
measure the critical features. In all cases, the standards to which measurement takes place is
generally much higher than typically found in conventional quality inspection. To that end, it is
often necessary to employ stringent standards and methods.
Temperature controlled environments,
the use of vibration isolated measuring platforms, and air filtration are part of these
techniques and are utilized in our facility. In order to achieve reliable and
accurate measurements for flatness,
parallelism and squareness in the microinch range, interferometry is often
utilized. Our six inch aperture Zygo Mark IVxp laser interferometer allows detailed analyses and quality control
of the machined and/or lapped surfaces that are incorporated into our air bearings.
Performance Measurement Certification
The aspects of a bearing which are of particular interest to designers are load carrying capacity, stiffness, air consumption,
speed and damping capabilities. Our in house performance testing equipment
provides this information and employs computer data acquisition for high-speed,
accurate measurement. A performance certificate accompanies each bearing
manufactured at Specialty Components. This certificate validates the
operating characteristics required by our customers and provides a high degree
of quality control of the bearing before shipment. Currently, our test
fixtures can impart loads for simulation ranging from a few pounds to 10000
pounds. In addition to load bearing aspects, our linear slides are tested
for positioning accuracy using test equipment capable of measurements of
distance to millionths of an inch and of angularity to fractions of an
arc-second. To achieve such high levels of measurement accuracy,
environmental controls aid in minimizing thermal and humidity effects.
Utilization of Class 10000 level clean areas assist in assembly and packaging of
components that require special handling.
Quality air bearings can only be produced where there exists a means to accurately inspect and
measure the critical features. In all cases, the standards to which measurement takes place is
generally much higher than typically found in conventional quality inspection. To that end, it is
often necessary to employ stringent standards and methods. 
Temperature controlled environments,
the use of vibration isolated measuring platforms, and air filtration are part of these
techniques and are utilized in our facility. In order to achieve reliable and
accurate measurements for flatness,
parallelism and squareness in the microinch range, interferometry is often
utilized. Our six inch aperture 
The aspects of a bearing which are of particular interest to designers are load carrying capacity, stiffness, air consumption,
speed and damping capabilities. Our in house performance testing equipment
provides this information and employs computer data acquisition for high-speed,
accurate measurement. A performance certificate accompanies each bearing
manufactured at Specialty Components. This certificate validates the
operating characteristics required by our customers and provides a high degree
of quality control of the bearing before shipment. Currently, our test
fixtures can impart loads for simulation ranging from a few pounds to 10000
pounds. In addition to load bearing aspects, our linear slides are tested
for positioning accuracy using test equipment capable of measurements of
distance to millionths of an inch and of angularity to fractions of an
arc-second. To achieve such high levels of measurement accuracy,
environmental controls aid in minimizing thermal and humidity effects.
Utilization of Class 10000 level clean areas assist in assembly and packaging of
components that require special handling.