Professional Instruments Company
(952) 933-1222Request a quote

The world’s most accurate air bearing spindles and slides

For customers who require millionth-inch precision, high stiffness, and zero friction.

Hero

Standard spindles and accessories

Blockhead series

High axial load capacity in a compact size, offered since 1965. Seven universal spindles in three package sizes, from the 3 inch 3R to the 10 inch 10R 606.

1 µin (25 nm)
Synchronous error, radial and axial, every model
60–350 N/µm
Radial stiffness across the series
15,000 rpm
Rated speed of the 3R

New to Blockheads? The 4R is one of our most popular models and typically the best place to start.

Precision Engineering and Manufacturing Services

For work outside the standard line, or parts made to the same tolerances as our spindles.

PI engineers reviewing a drawing

Precision engineering

When a specification falls outside our standard lines, our engineers design and build a spindle for the application. Custom spindle making at PI goes back almost to the beginning in 1946.

  • Custom air bearing spindles, designed to the application
  • Hemispherical, dual diameter, air pad and vacuum-rated designs
  • Aluminum, Invar, graphite and ceramic structures
  • Cost-effective from 25 units
15,000 lbTop load among our custom builds
60,000 rpmTop speed among our custom builds
Grinding with coolant in the PI shop

Precision manufacturing

Sub-contract manufacturing in a shop where the most critical work runs on our own air bearing spindles and slides.

  • OD, ID and surface grinding
  • Diamond machining
  • Tools, gages, precision cams and prototypes
  • Precision parts, design, development and R&D
<20 µinRoundness
<20 µinCircular flatness

The pursuit of precision

Eighty years of solving problems in manufacturing, measuring and scientific research.

Since 19462026

Resources

Brochures and drawings

The brochure and drawing for every standard model, in one library.

Open the library

Technical posters

87 posters, most presented at ASPE and euspen meetings, 2004 to 2026.

Browse posters

Tell us about your high-precision project.

For prompt, personal service, request a quote or give us a call.

(952) 933-1222sales@airbearings.com