Dover Instrument Corp Linear Slide Lead Screw 10 TPI Pneumatic Air Bearing 30cm

Dover Instrument Corp Linear Slide Lead Screw 10 TPI Pneumatic Air Bearing 30cm

This is a precision linear slide made by Dover Instrument Corp. of Westboro, MA — a well-regarded manufacturer of high-accuracy motion control and positioning equipment used in research, optical, and semiconductor laboratory settings. The slide features a lead screw drive with a large manual handwheel for smooth, controlled linear positioning of the carriage block, and includes a pneumatic gas inlet — most likely for a compressed-air preload or air-bearing system. The chassis is built from black anodized aluminum and is sturdy and substantial at approximately 15 lb.

Specifications & What's Included

• Manufacturer: Dover Instrument Corp., Westboro, MA
• Type: Precision manual linear slide / linear positioning stage
• Drive: Lead screw, 10 TPI
• Actuation: Large aluminum handwheel with knurled rim and center thumbscrew lock
• Carriage locking: Star-shaped black knob on carriage block
• Gas / pneumatic inlet: Brass 90° elbow fitting with clear plastic tubing — function consistent with air bearing or pneumatic preload (not tested at our facility)
• Chassis length: 30 cm
• Chassis width: 19 cm
• Chassis height: 13 cm (to top of carriage block)
• Approximate weight: 15 lb
• Frame material: Black anodized aluminum
• End plates: Mounting holes for table or fixture mounting
• Includes: Slide unit with handwheel, locking knob, and pneumatic fitting/tubing as shown

Applications

Dover Instrument Corp. produced precision motion stages widely used in optical research, semiconductor fabrication, laser beam steering, and scientific instrumentation labs. Linear slides of this type are used wherever controlled, repeatable linear positioning is required — such as mounting optical components on a breadboard, aligning sensors or detectors, positioning samples under a microscope or profilometer, or as a motion axis in a custom test fixture. The pneumatic inlet is characteristic of air-bearing slides, which use a thin film of pressurized air to eliminate mechanical contact between the carriage and the rail, achieving extremely low friction and high repeatability. These stages are particularly valued in precision metrology and photonics applications where sub-micron positioning matters. Dover was later acquired by and became part of the broader precision motion industry; their stages remain in active use in legacy lab setups and are sought after on the surplus market for their build quality and accuracy.