Dovetail Air Slides

  Dovetail air slides combine an accurate guide with an air slide ready-fit for installation. This provides the user with the convenience of an integrated guide-and-bearing system.

  These slides have a straightness of motion and dynamic response an order-of-magnitude better than conventional rolling element bearings. Dovetail air slides provide a local straightness (in X and Z) of 250 nanometers (0.25 microns) per 25mm travel (10 micro inches per inch), and a maximum error (global) of 2 microns per 1000mm travel (80 micro inches per yard).

  The use of these ultra-precision components can add a significant competitive advantage to your equipment.

   The dovetail guidebar can be end-supported, or continuously-supported.  A continuously-supported dovetail will prevent guidebar sag that can occur with a long span end-supported configuration.

   The dovetail also contains a space between the guidebar and stage where a linear motor or other driver can be mounted.

   In addition to the standard dovetail product line (shown), custom continuously-supported air slide assemblies are also available.