CONTACT C-FLEX BEARING for a sample today.
Featured Product from C-Flex Bearing Co., Inc.
“ What is the C-Flex Pivot Bearing “ - Contact us for a sample to find out!
The flexure based pivot bearing utilizes internal flat crossed springs, no touching parts, capsuled in a cylindrical housing. This unique component, offers precise rotation, low hysteresis, no frictional losses. Easy to install with infinite life. If your application is in the medical, industrial, aerospace, semiconductor, or optical field, you need to CONTACT C-FLEX BEARING for a sample today.
Phone: 315-574-0000
Ask for a FREE G-10 Pivot bearing. Let us know your applications.
Flex Pivot – Frictionless Bearings
The C-Flex bearing or “pivot” is a cylindrical, limited rotational bearing, with a high relative radial and axial stiffness which is available in low, medium, or high torsional spring rates. It is typically available for maximum deflection angles of +/-30°, but various configurations are supplied upon request. Torsional stiffness ranges from .0003 Lb-In/degree to 7.8023 Lb-In/degree. It can be used simply as an oscillating unit or an extremely sensitive critical element.
The advantages of cross-flexure bearings has been well documented in connection with the replacing of ball bearing pivots in optomechanical applications. One such application in which the C-Flex bearing has outperformed alternatives is the scanning mirror assembly of a mass spectrometer. Here two mirrors are mounted on an assembly and laser beams are scanned across samples to be analyzed. The lubrication free, frictionless movement of the C-Flex bearings is ideal in applications such as this where the outgassing from bearing lubricants could contaminate the optics, and bearing wear due to continuous limited rotation would eventually result in movement errors.
The bearing itself consists of two stainless steel sleeves held in position by three leaf springs on two planes. There is no contact between the sleeves—eliminating friction, and the springs also provide the pivotal action which is inherently self-centering and requires no lubrication or maintenance. The bearing is also available with an additional sleeve allowing for central mounting providing two pivotal arms (the double end bearing, sizes AD to JD).
Other applications include those requiring accuracy without backlash, friction and wear such as gimbals or within gauge sensors where position must be accurately measured, or outside forces sensed. Workhorse applications requiring the support of heavy loads for years of continuous service including mechanisms such as vibrating hoppers. Lever actuators and tensioners can also benefit from the use of these bearings. Optical/ magnetic read/write heads also gain from the constant predictable spring rate-immune to the problems of starting vs. moving torque.
Free from backlash, friction and wear, the C-Flex bearing provides the ultimate in cost effective design, allowing for easy assembly and indefinite life expectancies with undiminished accuracy. Selection of the correct bearing for the application loads expected should result in exceptional long life, even within the most arduous environment.
Custom designs for heavy loads (>1600 lbs.), special materials (e.g. Hast X, Titanium, Inconel) or high volume/low cost plastic are available.
Visit these links to learn more:
Follow us on:
Custom Products
C-Flex Bearing Company can provide a vast array of custom alterations to our standard pivot bearings. If you have an application where a standard pivot bearing will not suffice then see if one of the alterations we offer below will suit your needs. If you have a requirement that can’t be met with the options listed here feel free to contact us and we can work with you to create a custom product just for your application.
Watch our NEW video! A short intro to our flexible couplings
C-Flex Bearing Co., Inc. is a privately owned small business located in upstate New York. We have been incorporated since 1993. Under the current administration, we have been in business since 1988 however under different names. We began manufacturing turbine components for the gas turbine industry. In 1992, we generalized into basic machine shop work. In 1997, the three companies were merged into C-Flex Bearing Co., Inc. with the focus on our one product line, the frictionless bearing or pivot.
Information on pivot sizes and performance properties can be found HERE:
