{"id":278,"date":"2026-05-31T07:58:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T07:58:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/?p=278"},"modified":"2026-05-31T08:33:25","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T08:33:25","slug":"hydrostatic-bearings-and-precision-machining-aid-performance-of-worlds-largest-telescope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/?p=278&lang=fa","title":{"rendered":"Hydrostatic Bearings and Precision Machining Aid Performance of World\u2019s Largest Telescope"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"278\" class=\"elementor elementor-278\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-671f9064 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"671f9064\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-interaction-id=\"fcfae2b\" class=\"e-fcfae2b-c0cba90 e-heading-base\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-id=\"fcfae2b\">Use of hydrostatic bearings and precision machining for the structure of the Giant Magellan Telescope will help ensure its smooth, accurate movements.<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47b55c9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"47b55c9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>Key Highlights<\/strong><\/h4><p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:list --><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item --><li>Building the Giant Magellan Telescope requires use of components and manufacturing techniques offering a high level of reliability and precision to ensure the telescope will perform as desired.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><!-- wp:list-item --><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Hydrostatic bearings provide ultra-low friction to minimize heat buildup and wear as well as the stiffness necessary to accurately point the telescope at celestial targets.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><!-- wp:list-item --><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Tight machining tolerances used during the manufacture and assembly of the telescope mount will aid its ability to provide smooth and controlled movements.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/p><p><!-- \/wp:list --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":281} --><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"528\" class=\"wp-image-281\" title=\"A rendering of the Giant Magellan Telescope enclosure and mount at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile\" src=\"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ea1f34ff976c7c7b4a433c-telescope_summit_aerial_view_with_enclosure.jpg\" alt=\"A rendering of the Giant Magellan Telescope enclosure and mount at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile\" srcset=\"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ea1f34ff976c7c7b4a433c-telescope_summit_aerial_view_with_enclosure.jpg 950w, https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ea1f34ff976c7c7b4a433c-telescope_summit_aerial_view_with_enclosure-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ea1f34ff976c7c7b4a433c-telescope_summit_aerial_view_with_enclosure-768x427.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><\/figure><p><!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>Start Slideshow<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>An international consortium of 16 universities and research institutions is in the process of building the Giant Magellan Telescope, considered to be the largest Gregorian optical infrared telescope ever engineered. Up to 200 times more powerful than existing telescopes, it will enable scientists around the world to see farther into space than ever before.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>Production for many parts of the telescope is underway, including its mount which utilizes\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/powermotiontech.com\/21882928\">hydrostatic<\/a>\u00a0bearings for accurate and frictionless movement. Precision machining of the mount and its components will help ensure the Giant Magellan Telescope is able to move with the smoothness and accuracy of a laboratory instrument.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading --><\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Hydrostatic Bearings Were Chosen for the Giant Magellan Telescope<\/h4><p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>Two hydrostatic bearings are incorporated into the telescope structure to support the azimuth (vertical) and elevation (horizontal) axes explained Keath Beifus, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Telescope Structures, Giant Magellan Telescope, during a virtual event discussing progress of the telescope project.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p><h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hydrostatic vs. Hydrodynamic Bearing<\/h5><p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>Bearings are commonly categorized as hydrostatic or hydrodynamic.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.stle.org\/files\/TLTArchives\/2023\/09_September\/Webinar.aspx#contentstart\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hydrostatic bearings<\/a>\u00a0generate lubricant film pressure between moving surfaces through an external source whereas hydrodynamic bearings which create the film pressure via relative motion of the moving surfaces and their geometry.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>He said the bearings operate by pumping hydraulic oil between an array of hydrostatic pads and a high precision bearing raceway.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>These hydrostatic bearings allow the massive telescope mount to float on a 50-micron thick film of oil, about the thickness of human hair. \u201cThat thin film removes friction and reduces vibration, which is critical when you&#8217;re observing objects billions of light years away,\u201d said Jeff Kimberly, President and CEO of Ingersoll Machine Tools \u2014 which is manufacturing the telescope mount \u2014 during the event.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>Beifus said the hydrostatic bearings\u2019 ability to provide ultra-low friction was among the reasons this technology was chosen for the Giant Magellan Telescope. \u201cA constant, precisely controlled oil film separates the bearing pads from the raceway, resulting in ultra-low static and dynamic friction.\u201d<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":279} --><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"440\" class=\"wp-image-279\" title=\"Rendering of the Giant Magellan Telescope Azimuth and Elevation bearings\" src=\"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ef7693fe4042440df8957d-azimuth_hbs.jpg\" alt=\"Rendering of the Giant Magellan Telescope Azimuth and Elevation bearings\" srcset=\"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ef7693fe4042440df8957d-azimuth_hbs.jpg 950w, https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ef7693fe4042440df8957d-azimuth_hbs-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ef7693fe4042440df8957d-azimuth_hbs-768x356.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A rendering of the Giant Magellan Telescope azimuth and elevation hydrostatic bearings. The blue items between the large steel structures are the hydrostatic pads that hydraulic oil will be pumped over to support the hydrostatic bearings.<\/figcaption><\/figure><p><!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.powermotiontech.com\/hydraulics\/hydraulic-seals\/article\/21250088\/hallite-seals-america-inc-managing-friction-to-optimize-hydraulic-cylinder-performance\">less friction<\/a>\u00a0created, the better because it can lead to heat buildup and wear, both of which could negatively impact performance of the telescope and lead to maintenance issues. Given the large size of the telescope and its components, there are not likely to be off-the-shelf replacement parts at the ready should an issue occur. Therefore, it is critical to utilize technologies designed for reliability so potential downtime can be minimized as much as possible.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>High stiffness \u2014 a bearing\u2019s ability to maintain its shape while supporting a load \u2014 was another reason Beifus said hydrostatic bearings were chosen for the telescope. \u201cThe hydrostatic bearings provide excellent stiffness, both statically and dynamically, which enables extremely accurate pointing and stable tracking of celestial targets under normal operating conditions.\u201d<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>The final reason he noted for choosing hydrostatic bearings was the fact they could be integrated with an earthquake damping system. \u201cThe same hydraulic system that provides oil to the bearings is also used to mitigate seismic damage to the telescope,\u201d said Beifus. \u201cThis system provides vertical isolation and damping to the rotating telescope structure.\u201d<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>The complete telescope mount, including its use of the hydrostatic bearings, was designed by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ohb-dc.de\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">OHB Digital Connect GmbH<\/a>.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p><em><strong>Scroll through the media gallery above to see more images of the telescope, hydraulic components used in the telescope mount and manufacturing of the mount<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:heading --><\/p><h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High Level of Precision Required to Manufacture the World\u2019s Largest Telescope<\/h4><p><!-- \/wp:heading --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.machinetools.camozzi.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ingersoll Machine Tools, part of Camozzi Group<\/a>, is producing the mount that will support and move the Giant Magellan Telescope\u2019s seven primary mirrors, instruments and control systems at its facility in Rockford, IL. The company was chosen for the project due in part to its years of experience in building large structures and machines including submarines, spacecraft and satellite structures.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>Kimberly said the Giant Magellan Telescope project \u201chas grown into one of the most ambitious engineering and machining projects we&#8217;ve ever undertaken.\u201d He said the mount stands 39 m tall and weighs 2,600 tons.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>\u201cThe telescope is so large that we had to build a new 40,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and assembly bay, including a giant pit just to machine and assemble it,\u201d said Kimberly.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":282} --><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"534\" class=\"wp-image-282\" title=\"Construction of Ingersoll Machine Tool's new manufacturing bay for the Giant Magellan Telescope\" src=\"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ea1f2dceb18e72b7070a1e-ingersoll_machine_tools_construction_of_new_facili.jpg\" alt=\"Construction of Ingersoll Machine Tool's new manufacturing bay for the Giant Magellan Telescope\" srcset=\"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ea1f2dceb18e72b7070a1e-ingersoll_machine_tools_construction_of_new_facili.jpg 950w, https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ea1f2dceb18e72b7070a1e-ingersoll_machine_tools_construction_of_new_facili-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ea1f2dceb18e72b7070a1e-ingersoll_machine_tools_construction_of_new_facili-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 950px) 100vw, 950px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Due to the large size of the Giant Magellan Telescope, Ingersoll Machine Tools had to build a new 40,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and assembly bay.<\/figcaption><\/figure><p><!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>The Ingersoll Machine Tools facility also has the largest five axis master mill gantry machine in North America. It is currently being used to set up the first three semi-finished azimuth tracks that will be finish machined with key features including the hydrostatic guideways. The azimuth track enables a full 360-degree rotation on the x-axis and 25 to 165 degrees on the y-axis.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>\u201cEach of these enormous tracks weigh over 50,000 lbs. and presents a challenge at every step of the manufacturing process,\u201d said Kimberly. \u201cThe fabrications themselves had to be flat within 13 mm from end to end; that&#8217;s just over a half inch.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>\u201cWhen machining the azimuth tracks, we\u2019ll be holding a flatness to within two thousandths of an inch in the zone where the hydrostatic pads ride, and within 12 thousandths of an inch over the entire 70 ft. diameter when the tracks are assembled.\u201d<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:image {\"id\":280} --><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" class=\"wp-image-280\" title=\"Ingersoll Machine Tools employee guiding movement of an azimuth track\" src=\"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ea1f29ceb18e72b7070a1c-ingersoll_machine_tools__floating_azimuth_track.jpg\" alt=\"Ingersoll Machine Tools employee guiding movement of an azimuth track\" srcset=\"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ea1f29ceb18e72b7070a1c-ingersoll_machine_tools__floating_azimuth_track.jpg 640w, https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/69ea1f29ceb18e72b7070a1c-ingersoll_machine_tools__floating_azimuth_track-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Each azimuth track weighs over 50,000 lbs., requiring a high level of care to be taken during assembly and machining.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure><p><!-- \/wp:image --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>A large bearing assembly machine from\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.inplace.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">In-Place Machining<\/a>\u00a0will then be used to finish the radial and hydrostatic guideway surface. It is an arm assembly with a turning head and a grinding head that make it possible to complete this work on the assembly floor, something Kimberly said he has never seen done before.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>Ingersoll Machine Tools will also install the large earthquake damping system, which will act like a giant shock absorber to protect the telescope from damage should an earthquake occur, and the large hydrostatic bearings.\u00a0<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>\u201cBefore this project is over, we will have assembled and tested the entire mount here in Rockford, IL, before it is disassembled and shipped to Chile,\u201d said Kimberly.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>He said the company will soon be focusing on the final phase of the project which includes building:<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:list --><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><!-- wp:list-item --><li>the large C-ring elevation axis structure that allows the telescope to tilt up and down,<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><!-- wp:list-item --><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>the huge Gregorian instrument rotator where all the scientific instrumentation will be located,<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><!-- wp:list-item --><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>the massive primary mirror cell structures, and<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><!-- wp:list-item --><\/p><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>the tall secondary mirror structures.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><p><!-- \/wp:list-item --><\/p><p><!-- \/wp:list --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p>\u201cThis undertaking requires an incredibly skilled team\u2026and key contributors across the U.S. supply chain, along with other partners across the country whose craftsmanship and discipline make this possible,\u201d he concluded. \u201cThis is the one of the most extraordinary engineering projects in the world, and we are so honored to be a part of it.\u201d<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p><em>Watch the video below to see illustrations of the Giant Magellan Telescope and some of the manufacturing underway for it<\/em>.<\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p><strong>Reference:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.powermotiontech.com\/hydraulics\/media-gallery\/55379966\/media-gallery-new-hydraulic-cylinders-sensors-and-pneumatic-controls\">https:\/\/www.powermotiontech.com\/<\/a><\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p><p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Use of hydrostatic bearings and precision machining for the structure of the Giant Magellan Telescope will help ensure its smooth, accurate movements. Key Highlights Building the Giant Magellan Telescope requires use of components and manufacturing techniques offering a high level of reliability and precision to ensure the telescope will perform as desired.\u00a0 Hydrostatic bearings provide [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-278","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=278"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":303,"href":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/278\/revisions\/303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=278"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=278"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asia-ajan.ir\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=278"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}