Airpot Corporation announces a specially designed long length (up to 1 meter) Airpel Anti-Stiction actuator that meets the needs of coordinate measuring machine and other metrology device manufacturers for a low friction counterbalance device to allow smooth movement and precise positioning of the z-axis measuring arm while manipulating the device through its measurement range.
Airpot’s Airpel Anti-Stiction cylinders utilize a simple pneumatic cylinder with an internal design that allows for virtually zero friction while precisely controlling the amount of counter force needed to eliminate the effect of driver and probe arm mass. Extremely low friction counterbalancing allows the use of smaller linear motors and drive mechanisms lowering the cost of the units. Another benefit derived from the Airpel unit is increased safety since the Airpel can prevent a crash in a power off situation.
Airpel cylinders are available in strokes up to 1 meter customized specifically for counterbalancing and counterforce applications. Airpel Anti-Stiction Air Cylinders are built using a graphite piston / borosilicate glass cylinder combination in which each piston is selectively matched to fit the cylinder with extremely close clearances. They have low friction, responding to forces as low as only a few grams and pressures less than 0.2 psi. Starting and running friction are almost identical, preventing jerky, uncontrolled starts and providing uniform smoothness throughout the full stroke of the device. Airpel cylinders are unaffected by extreme temperature variations, run clean and do not contaminate surrounding components. No seals are required, and there are no liquids to leak. Materials used are self-lubricating and capable of exceedingly high cycle rates. They do not heat up or materially change under conditions of rapid and/or continuous cycling and have a life-span of multi-millions of cycles.
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