Professional Instruments spindle and motor spindle repair
Brochexpress is an independent workshop specialising in the repair, maintenance and diagnostics of Professional Instruments spindles and motor spindles — the American manufacturer founded in 1946, a world reference in ultra-precision air bearing spindles known as BLOCK-HEAD®.
Professional Instruments, more than 75 years of American expertise in ultra-precise air bearing spindles
TLDR: Professional Instruments Company (founded in 1946 by Harold and Ted Arneson) manufactures the most accurate air bearing spindles and slides in the world, for customers requiring millionth-of-an-inch accuracy, high stiffness and complete absence of friction, with the BLOCK-HEAD® spindle patented in 1969 having become the world reference for diamond turning machines.
Founded in 1946 by Harold Arneson (a mechanical engineer) and his brother Ted, Professional Instruments Company entered the field of ultra-precision engineering in 1960 by manufacturing hollow spherical gyroscope rotors requiring micro-inch tolerances. Convinced that hydrostatic air bearings were the optimal route to the accuracies needed for future manufacturing requirements, Harold Arneson invented the dual-hemisphere spindle, then in 1969 filed the patent for the BLOCK-HEAD® spindle, which became the most widely used ultra-precision air bearing spindle in the world and standard equipment on Moore Tool diamond turning machines. Since 1946 the company has solved its customers' problems in manufacturing, metrology and scientific research, wherever ultra-precise motion or geometry is at stake, with a complementary subcontracting activity covering tooling, gauges, precision cams and special machines.
A range of air bearing, motorised and custom spindles, millionth-of-an-inch accuracy
TLDR: The BLOCK-HEAD® spindle family combines ultra-high accuracy and extremely high stiffness in a compact format, with radial, axial and tilt errors specified at better than 25.4 nanometres, while motorised spindles integrate motor and air bearing for unmatched smoothness of operation.
The BLOCK-HEAD® spindle family combines ultra-high accuracy and extremely high stiffness in a very compact format, making direct machining to optical tolerances and finishes possible. ISO series spindles offer high accuracy and stiffness combined with significant speed and radial load capacity, with radial, axial and tilt errors specified at better than 25.4 nanometres (one millionth of an inch). Motorised spindles integrate motors into air bearing spindles for unmatched smoothness combined with high power and accuracy, with options for water cooling, optical encoders, metrology brakes and non-influencing rotary unions — typical applications include memory disc research, aspheric optics generation and liquid mirror telescope construction. Beyond its standard range, Professional Instruments has been designing and manufacturing custom spindles for almost 80 years: hemispherical bearings, dual-diameter bearings, custom BLOCK-HEAD spindles, air cushion spindles, and even spindles operating under vacuum.
Professional Instruments spindles and motor spindles covered (non-exhaustive list)
- BLOCK-HEAD® air bearing spindles, ultra-high accuracy and significant stiffness
- ISO series spindles, radial/axial/tilt errors below 25.4 nanometres
- Motorised air bearing spindles, with water cooling and optical encoders
- Hemispherical and dual-diameter bearing spindles, custom configurations
- Oil hydrostatic (liquistatic) spindles for space-constrained applications
Interfaces and specifications
The Professional Instruments spindles and motor spindles we repair offer accuracies reaching 25.4 nanometres (one millionth of an inch) on radial, axial and tilt errors — exact specifications (loads, speeds) to be confirmed on quotation according to the reference of your spindle.
Our expertise on your Professional Instruments spindles and motor spindles
TLDR: Brochexpress works across the entire life cycle of your Professional Instruments spindles and motor spindles, with the same rigour as for the other brands in our portfolio.
On-site customer service
- Diagnostics and service directly on your machine, in your production workshop, to limit downtime on very high-value equipment
Full diagnostics
- Inspection of air bearing geometry, filtered air supply, sealing and rotation accuracy, with a detailed technical report
Preventive and corrective maintenance
- Maintenance programme tailored to the extreme accuracy demands of diamond turning and metrology, together with corrective action in the event of a breakdown
Overhaul and refurbishment
- Grinding, bearing replacement, sealing refurbishment and rotation testing in the workshop, restoring the manufacturer's original tolerances
Why choose Brochexpress for your Professional Instruments spindles and motor spindles
- An independent workshop, with no capital ties to manufacturers, guaranteeing an objective diagnosis
- Expertise in BLOCK-HEAD® spindles and ultra-precise air bearing configurations
- Two service sites: Beaurepaire (France) and Lussery-Villars (Switzerland)
- Support from the first intervention through to return to production
Turnaround and warranty
- On-site service within 48h
- Workshop repair: around 20 working days depending on parts availability
- 12-month warranty on all our repairs
Frequently asked questions
Do you repair ultra-precise BLOCK-HEAD® air bearing spindles?
Yes, we work on these spindles, taking account of their extreme requirements for air supply cleanliness and geometry.
Do you work on motorised air bearing spindles with water cooling?
Yes, we diagnose and repair these spindles, whatever the associated option configuration.
How long does a full overhaul take?
Allow around 20 working days in the workshop, depending on the condition of the spindle and the availability of parts specific to these precision technologies.
Do you work on custom spindles (hemispherical, dual-diameter, vacuum)?
Yes, we diagnose and repair these spindles, whatever their specific configuration.
Do you offer a preventive maintenance contract for a fleet of Professional Instruments spindles?
Yes, we set up preventive maintenance programmes tailored to the criticality of this precision equipment.
A reliable partner for your industrial performance
Whether it is an emergency on-site intervention, a full workshop overhaul or a preventive maintenance programme, Brochexpress brings its expertise to your production. As an independent workshop, we work across all Professional Instruments spindles and motor spindles — very high precision air bearing spindles — with the responsiveness and rigour demanded by the most exacting industrial environments: diamond turning, metrology and scientific research.
Our teams are at your disposal from our sites in Beaurepaire (France) and Lussery-Villars (Switzerland) for a study of your needs, a diagnosis or a personalised quotation.
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Professional Instruments® and BLOCK-HEAD® are registered trademarks of Professional Instruments Company. Brochexpress is neither affiliated with, nor a partner of, nor an authorised distributor of Professional Instruments Company. Our business covers independent repair and maintenance of industrial equipment, permitted under the principle of referential trademark use (EU Trademark Directive 2015/2436 / French Intellectual Property Code, art. L.713-6).