Air bearing granite bases provide frictionless, ultra-stable support for high-precision motion systems, improving positional accuracy, repeatability, and vibration damping. UNPARALLELED® air bearing granite bases are engineered to support semiconductor, optical, and automation equipment requiring nanometer-level motion control and extreme system stability.
What Is an Air Bearing Granite Base?
An air bearing granite base combines the stability of precision granite with air bearing technology, which suspends moving components on a thin layer of pressurized air. This eliminates mechanical contact, reducing friction, wear, and vibration while enabling high-speed, high-accuracy motion.
Why Is Frictionless Motion Important?
Friction introduces non-linear errors, wear, and heat in motion systems. By using air bearings on a granite base:
Motion is smooth and repeatable
Wear is eliminated
System performance is maintained over time
UNPARALLELED® air bearing bases maximize motion accuracy for ultra-precision applications.
How Does Granite Support Stability?
Granite provides dimensional stability, vibration damping, and rigidity. When paired with air bearings:
Thermal drift is minimized
Vibrations are absorbed naturally
High-frequency motion errors are reduced
This combination ensures nanometer-level positioning precision in CMMs, optical stages, and semiconductor inspection systems.
Air Bearing vs Traditional Bearing Bases
| Feature | Air Bearing Granite Base | Ball/Slide Bearing Base | Cast Iron Base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friction | Near Zero | Moderate | Moderate |
| Wear | Minimal | Moderate | High |
| Vibration Damping | Excellent | Fair | Moderate |
| Thermal Stability | Excellent | Moderate | Moderate |
| Repeatability | Nanometer-Level | Micron-Level | Micron-Level |
| Maintenance | Low | Moderate | High |
| Service Life | 20+ Years | 5–10 Years | 10–15 Years |
Which Applications Benefit Most?
Semiconductor wafer inspection
Lithography stages
Optical interferometry
Ultra-precision automation
CMM high-precision measurement
FAQ
What is an air bearing granite base?
It is a granite platform with air bearings enabling frictionless, high-accuracy motion.
Why combine granite with air bearings?
Granite provides rigidity and stability, while air bearings eliminate friction and wear.
Can these bases achieve nanometer-level repeatability?
Yes, properly engineered UNPARALLELED® bases support nanometer-level motion.
Are air bearing granite bases suitable for high-speed motion?
Yes, air bearings allow smooth, high-speed motion with minimal error.
Do they require maintenance?
Minimal maintenance is required, primarily for air supply and cleanliness.
Which industries use air bearing granite bases?
Semiconductor, optics, precision automation, metrology, and ultra-precision manufacturing.