The use of gimbal-mounted devices for all purposes, and especially in communications and tracking, remains one of the biggest areas of continued growth in both military and civilian usage. Many of the systems employed worldwide rely on gimbal-mounted tracking devices featuring Silverthin thin section bearings which are specially designed for the purpose. Some of the equipment used must track tiny objects at massive distances, so the positional accuracy of the gimbal-mounted devices must be extremely precise, and in almost every case, also be packaged into the smallest possible space with the lightest possible weight. Silverthin has developed a range of thin section bearings specifically to provide these attributes for gimbal-mounted optical, radar, radio and microwave monitoring, tracking and designating devices.
Silverthin bearings for gimbal mounts deliver significant advantages to design teams. They provide a unique combination of load carrying, extreme smoothness, high rotational speed capability and compact size in a small, lightweight product which allows devices to be positioned with extreme accuracy. A further advantage is that with Silverthin thin section bearings, designers of gimbal mounts can route associated cables through the centre of the bearing rather than around it, saving space and effecting a more compact design.
Silverthin thin section bearings for gimbal mounts can cope with radial, axial, and overturning moment loads simultaneously and deliver stiffness with low rotational torque. Special casing design and advanced roller manufacturing techniques combine to provide bearings for gimbal mounts that are relied on in some of the world’s most demanding high-precision environments.
The Carter Gimbal Mount specialists, part of its precision bearing team, are located near Oxford, in the midst of a high-technology cluster featuring motorsport, electrical, nuclear, medical, defence and aerospace industries centred around the Thames Valley. Carter’s expert staff are all highly-trained engineers and provide customers with an unrivalled blend of experience, ability, and expertise. Critically, the experienced team also provides customers with unique access to Carter’s R&D Department, as well as a bespoke SolidWorks design programme. This is backed up with what we believe is the most advanced bearing simulation software for gimbal mount applications anywhere, which all customers have access to.
Applications
- Airborne lightweight radar systems
- Aerial surveillance, tracking, and ELINT platforms
- Maritime military and civilian radar systems
- Maritime target tracking & designator systems
- Undersea radar installations
- Mobile battlefield radar systems
- Mobile battlefield target acquisition & designator systems
- Mobile land-based tactical terminals
- Military & civilian satellites
- Commercial broadcast systems
- Mobile media broadcast systems
- Microwave system rotary joints
- Cinematic cameras and film-making equipment