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Vacuum Pre-loaded Air Bearings

Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearings for Enhanced Stability and Damping

OAV vacuum pre-loaded air bearings combine positive air pressure with vacuum preloading to deliver highly stable, non-contact motion on flat, nonporous surfaces such as granite, aluminum, glass, and ceramics. This dual-pressure design allows the bearing to float on a controlled air film while simultaneously being drawn toward the surface, creating a balanced and stable operating condition.

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By integrating vacuum force with traditional air bearing technology, these systems provide superior damping and stiffness compared to standard air bearings. The adjustable vacuum and air pressure enable precise control over fly height, load capacity, and system responsiveness, making them ideal for applications requiring tight tolerances and vibration control.

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Unlike conventional air bearing systems that require opposing surfaces, vacuum pre-loaded bearings operate effectively on a single flat guide surface. This simplifies system design while maintaining high precision, smooth motion, and long-term reliability with zero mechanical contact or wear.

Key Benefits

  • Enhanced damping for improved vibration control

  • Stable operation with vacuum + air pressure balancing

  • Precise control of fly height and stiffness

  • True non-contact motion (zero friction, zero wear)

  • Operates on a single flat surface (simplified system design)

  • Cleanroom compatible with no lubrication required

Common Applications

  • Precision metrology and inspection platforms

  • Granite-based motion systems and surface plates

  • Semiconductor and optical positioning systems

  • High-precision automation with vibration sensitivity

  • Aerospace testing and calibration systems

  • Applications requiring damping and ultra-stable motion

Ultra-Stable Motion with Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearings

Combining vacuum and air pressure, these systems deliver enhanced damping, high stiffness, and frictionless, non-contact motion on a single surface—ideal for precision applications requiring maximum stability.

FLAT ROUND AIR BEARINGS DESIGN GUIDE & SPECIFICATIONS (PDF)

Download our comprehensive guide with detailed specifications, dimensions, load capacities, and engineering data to help you select the right air bushing for your application.

20mm x 40mm Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

20mm x 40mm Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

Part # OAVF20L40V

Specifications

20 mm x 40 mm frictionless OAV Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded graphite porous air bearing. Manufactured with aerospace quality material.

25mm x 50mm Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

25mm x 50mm Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

Part # OAVF25L50V

Specifications

25 mm x 50 mm frictionless OAV Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded graphite porous air bearing. Manufactured with aerospace quality material.

40mm x 50mm Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

40mm x 50mm Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

Part # OAVF40L50V

Specifications

40 mm x 50 mm frictionless OAV Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded graphite porous air bearing. Manufactured with aerospace quality material.

40mm x 80mm Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

40mm x 80mm Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

Part # OAVF40L80V

Specifications

40 mm x 80 mm frictionless OAV Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded graphite porous air bearing. Manufactured with aerospace quality material.

50mm x 100mm Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

50mm x 100mm Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

Part # OAVF50L100V

Specifications

50 mm x 100 mm frictionless OAV Flat Rectangular Vacuum Preloaded graphite porous air bearing. Manufactured with aerospace quality material.

50 mm OD Flat Round Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

50 mm OD Flat Round Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

Part # OAVR050RV

Specifications

50 mm frictionless OAV Flat Round Vacuum Preloaded graphite porous air bearing. Manufactured with aerospace quality material.

80 mm OD Flat Round Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

80 mm OD Flat Round Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

Part # OAVR080RV

Specifications

80 mm frictionless OAV Flat Round Vacuum Preloaded graphite porous air bearing. Manufactured with aerospace quality material.

100 mm OD Flat Round Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

100 mm OD Flat Round Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

Part # OAVR100RV

Specifications

100 mm frictionless OAV Flat Round Vacuum Preloaded graphite porous air bearing. Manufactured with aerospace quality material.

55 mm x 55 mm x 80 mm Vacuum Preloaded Modular Corner Air Bearing

55 mm x 55 mm x 80 mm Vacuum Preloaded Modular Corner Air Bearing

Part # OAVMOD40L80V

Specifications

OAV Vacuum Preloaded Modular graphite porous air bearing design, subdivides motion system into smaller installable parts. Can be independently installed and then used in different systems and different shapes.

Custom Design

Part # Vacuum Preloaded Air Bearing

See More

We provide designs that are integrated into your product and can quickly develop a design based on the application or your specific requirements. We provide detailed drawings and 3-D CAD models, and can analyze complex issues associated with your application from nanometer accuracy positioning to standard calculations.

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