C-Flex Bearing Co., Inc. is located in Frankfort, NY and manufactures the Flex Pivot (frictionless bearing) and the Lattice Coupling. 

The C-Flex Pivot Bearing is a flexure based bearing, utilizing internal flat crossed springs, capsuled in a cylindrical housing, to provide precise rotation with low hysteresis and no frictional losses. The C-Flex bearing will offer indefinite life when used within its rated load and rotation values.  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 7.6023 Lb-In/degree. It can be used simply as an oscillating unit or an extremely sensitive critical element.

The advantages of cross-flexure bearings have 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 the 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).

The C-Flex Lattice Coupling is an economical answer to misalignment needs.  It is offered in metal and SUPERPLASTIC materials.  Key features of the C-Flex coupling are:

-Torsionally Stiff
-Low Inertia
-High Angular Offset (7 degrees)
-Large Parallel/Axial Offset
-High Torque Capacity
-Large Thru Hole
-Custom Designs Available.

We can accommodate sizes from 3/4" diameter to 2 1/2" diameter in standard couplings.  Torque capacities from 12 lb-inches to 300 lb-inches.