Cantilevered (Single Ended) Pivot
The most common Free-Flex® pivot type — one end is fixed, allowing the other end to rotate with zero friction and infinite cycle life.
Product Overview
The cantilevered (single ended) Free-Flex® pivot is the most widely used configuration in the Riverhawk flexure product line. One end of the pivot is fixed to the structure, while the other end is free to rotate through the designed angular range.
This configuration is the workhorse of precision flexure applications — found in inertial navigation systems, satellite pointing mechanisms, semiconductor wafer handling equipment, seismometers, and a wide range of precision scientific instruments.
The leaf spring design eliminates all moving parts and contact surfaces. There is no friction, no stiction, no wear, and no particle generation — making cantilevered Free-Flex® pivots the ideal solution for clean room, vacuum, and aerospace environments where conventional bearings cannot be used.
Key Features
- Zero friction — no stiction, no breakaway torque
- No lubrication required — vacuum and clean room compatible
- Infinite cycle life under rated load
- Exceptional angular repeatability and low hysteresis
- High radial and axial stiffness
- Available in steel, titanium, and beryllium copper
- Standard catalog sizes from 0.5" to 4" OD
- Custom designs available for non-standard requirements
Applications
Technical Specifications
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