About OAV Air Bearings
About OAV Air Bearings
OAV was founded in 1964 initially as a manufacturer of machine components before shifting its focus in 2001 toward the aerospace and defense industries. That pivot led OAV into the precision-bearing field and other high-sensitivity applications where frictionless, high-speed motion is essential.
The company's commitment to frictionless precision motion produced its Thrust Air Bearing and OAV Roller Air Bearing lines, and by 2011 OAV had expanded to offer more than 1,000 virtually frictionless bearing products and components. Its current product range spans air bushings, air thrust bearings, air bearing slides, air bearing stages, and air bearing spindles, covering everything from linear guides to rotary stages.
OAV has also developed a number of specialized air bearing technologies, including foil air bearings, modular air bearings, vacuum preloaded air bearings, air turns, thrust air bushings, and tapered air bearings. Based in Princeton, New Jersey, OAV engineers these products for stability, accuracy, and integration into advanced motion systems, and ChatMRO's catalogue covers its air bearing products by load capacity and configuration.
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Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between OAV's air bushings and air bearing stages?
Air bushings are individual bearing components that support a shaft or spindle on a cushion of air for frictionless rotation or linear motion. Air bearing stages integrate those bearing elements into complete linear or rotary positioning platforms ready to mount into a larger motion system.
When did OAV shift from general machine components to precision air bearings?
OAV was founded in 1964 as a machine components manufacturer and shifted its focus to aerospace and defense applications in 2001. That transition led the company into the precision-bearing industry and high-sensitivity motion applications.
What specialized air bearing technologies has OAV developed?
OAV has developed foil air bearings, modular air bearings, vacuum preloaded air bearings, air turns, thrust air bushings, and tapered air bearings. These technologies extend beyond standard air bushings to address specialized load and mounting requirements.
How many air bearing products does OAV offer?
By 2011, OAV had expanded its line to more than 1,000 virtually frictionless bearing products and components. The current catalogue spans air bushings, thrust bearings, slides, stages, and spindles for both linear and rotary motion.
What industries use OAV's air bearing stages most?
Aerospace, defense, and semiconductor-related precision motion applications are core markets for OAV's air bearing stages, reflecting the company's 2001 shift toward those sectors. The frictionless, high-speed characteristics of air bearings make them well suited to applications requiring extremely accurate positioning.