In precision-driven sectors like the medical industry, consistent performance and reliability are paramount. One key element in achieving this is the integration of air springs into essential equipment. At Tevema, we provide high-quality air bellows designed specifically for demanding environments where hygiene, stability, and adaptability are crucial. Our bellows support up to 450 kN per unit and operate reliably between -40°C and +115°C. Standard operating pressure is 8 bar, with 12 bar capability in four-ply designs. We offer compact models with minimum heights starting from 50 mm, and natural frequencies as low as 1.2 Hz. These specs confirm suitability for sensitive applications, including imaging, surgery, and laboratory environments. Our materials include NR/SBR, EPDM, and NBR for dynamic flexibility and chemical resistance. With galvanized or stainless steel options, we offer long-term corrosion resistance in sterile environments.
How air springs enhance medical equipment stability
Air springs deliver vibration isolation, which is critical in medical diagnostic machines, such as MRI scanners and CT imaging systems. Excessive vibrations can result in blurred images or erroneous readings. By using our air bellows, healthcare providers benefit from over 99% vibration isolation, leading to clearer diagnostics and better patient outcomes. Our isolators maintain uniform isolation properties with constant natural frequency, even under changing loads. Natural frequency values can reach as low as 1.2 Hz, which ensures maximum attenuation. Available bellows range in size from 80 mm to 950 mm in diameter. They support a wide range of load capacities and installation footprints. Design heights are adjustable, allowing tailored integration with sensitive medical systems. These parameters make our air springs particularly useful in vibration-sensitive instruments and equipment. Their predictable behavior under pressure ensures consistent performance in high-precision diagnostic environments where results must never be compromised.
Air bellows improve ergonomics in patient handling systems
In hospital environments, ease of use and ergonomic operation are essential. Our rubber actuators are commonly used in height-adjustable beds, surgical tables, and patient transfer systems. These systems require compact installation height, making our air bellows a perfect fit. Through controlled air pressure, these actuators ensure smooth, uniform motion without the stick-slip effect that is common in traditional cylinders. This not only increases user comfort but also reduces the physical strain on caregivers. The angular tilt range of our bellows can reach up to 25 degrees, which is essential for flexible equipment motion. Misalignments up to 30 mm are tolerable without affecting operation, allowing simpler mechanical design. Stroke lengths vary, reaching up to 400 mm in triple convolution models. Our actuators enable vertical movement with precision and reliability. Their performance characteristics meet ergonomic standards in dynamic, real-world clinical scenarios.
Long-term durability for demanding medical applications
The medical industry often involves stringent cleaning cycles, where equipment is subjected to disinfectants, steam, and chemical exposure. We counter this with stainless steel options (AISI-304 or AISI-316L), and special elastomer compounds such as Chlorobutyl, Nitrile, and EPDM, offering exceptional resistance to oils, acids, and high temperatures. Our air bellows operate reliably in environments ranging from -40°C to +115°C, making them suitable for cold storage systems, sterilization chambers, and mobile diagnostics units. They also remain effective against ozone degradation and outdoor exposure, ensuring extended product lifespan. For more aggressive environments, four-ply designs offer added reinforcement. These can handle higher pressures while maintaining performance stability. The metal parts can be treated for enhanced wear resistance, making them highly compatible with repeated sanitation. With these features, our bellows provide unmatched durability in hygienic medical settings.
Cost-effective and maintenance-free solutions
Tevema air bellows stand out due to their maintenance-free design. Since there are no sliding seals, wear is minimal, reducing the need for frequent servicing. In a 24/7 hospital setting, where equipment uptime is non-negotiable, this translates into lower operational costs. Moreover, our actuators offer a lower purchasing cost than conventional hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. They are modular, available in single, double, and triple convolution options, and provide consistent thrust and isolation performance across applications. Each model supports varying stroke lengths, with configurations starting at 50 mm minimum height. Load capacities reach up to 450 kN, ensuring performance in both light and heavy-duty systems. The absence of internal seals eliminates failure risks common in traditional actuators. Additionally, the flexible rubber structure absorbs shocks, reducing mechanical wear and increasing longevity. Our air bellows offer the ideal blend of reliability and economy.
Advanced customization for specialized equipment
We understand that medical device manufacturers require tailored solutions. That’s why our bellows are available in multiple configurations, including:
- Dismountable bead ring designs
- Crimped metal closures
- Socket-head, threaded, and countersunk fasteners
All models maintain identical port and thread locations, facilitating easy integration into existing assemblies. We also offer four-ply versions for high-pressure performance, with working limits up to 12 bar, ideal for robotic surgical platforms and precision dosing systems. Available connection types include G1/4″, G3/8″, and G3/4″ BSP threads. Stud types include M6, M8, and M10, supporting global mechanical standards. Bead ring dimensions vary to match standard mechanical mounting configurations. The modularity of these systems supports integration into custom devices, without compromising on performance.
Better noise control in sensitive environments
Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and diagnostic clinics require quiet operation to ensure patient comfort and avoid distraction. Our rubber air isolators contribute significantly by reducing structurally transmitted noise through their low natural frequency. Whether used in rehab chairs, vibration-sensitive laboratory instruments, or mobile treatment units, Tevema air bellows minimize disruptive noise, making them ideal for sound-sensitive areas. With natural frequencies as low as 1.2 Hz, airborne and structural sound transfer is significantly reduced. Sound-sensitive instruments benefit from the rubber-elastic structure that dampens shocks and high-frequency harmonics. Unlike rigid actuators, our bellows isolate both static and dynamic noise. Their silent operation is essential for maintaining comfort and reducing stress in clinical and recovery areas. Tevema’s air bellows meet these challenges with proven consistency.
Clean and compact integration in sterile areas
Medical settings demand clean design, and our rubber-metal assemblies fit seamlessly into equipment thanks to their low profile. Unlike conventional actuators, our bellows enable compact layouts, allowing for more streamlined, ergonomic medical device design. They’re particularly useful in mobile diagnostic carts, point-of-care equipment, and sterile environments, where every millimeter counts. Optional stainless-steel finishes help preserve sterility and resist degradation from frequent sanitization procedures. Standard bellows start from 50 mm in height, enabling extremely compact design integration. Port and bolt threads meet international BSP and ISO standards, offering compatibility across systems. In sensitive environments, our bellows eliminate mechanical contact that causes debris or contamination. This is ideal for settings requiring ISO 14644 cleanroom compliance or equivalent. Their low particulate emission ensures compatibility with sterile spaces.
Flexible use of different working media
Our air bellows can operate not only with compressed air, but also with nitrogen, water, or oil-infused air, broadening their application scope in cleanrooms, sterile labs, and operating rooms. When using non-air media, we recommend stainless steel variants to prevent corrosion and ensure chemical compatibility. This versatility allows our air bellows to be integrated across multifunctional hospital equipment, ensuring they function flawlessly under various operating conditions. Our bellows retain flexibility and performance regardless of media, offering uniform stroke and pressure response. When using water or oil, we recommend EPDM and NBR rubber compounds for their resistance. Design compatibility with BSP and NPT thread options expands integration possibilities. Whether used for pressure application or as a passive vibration damper, our air springs perform consistently. They eliminate the need for complex mechanical conversions.
Increased equipment life and higher ROI
By replacing traditional springs or cylinders with Tevema air bellows, medical device manufacturers gain not only performance but economic advantages. The reduced mechanical wear leads to fewer part replacements, extending the overall life span of the system. In mission-critical sectors like healthcare, where equipment failures are unacceptable, our air springs offer predictable performance and higher return on investment. The result: more reliable treatment, less downtime, and enhanced patient trust. Our actuators require no lubrication and show minimal hysteresis, maintaining consistency over thousands of cycles. They support angular and lateral movement without guides or external support systems. This reduces cost and complexity during assembly and servicing. Ultimately, the life cycle cost per unit is significantly lower than traditional cylinder systems. Our bellows deliver measurable ROI benefits.
Enabling future-ready medical innovations
With trends pointing towards automation and precision-driven diagnostics, Tevema air bellows are ready to meet future demands. Their ability to operate with variable loads, accommodate angular motion, and function in sterile or chemically aggressive environments positions them as ideal components for next-generation medical devices. Our range covers custom pressure ratings, varied geometries, and modular integration, making it easier for engineers to develop innovative solutions for rehabilitation robotics, surgical aids, and compact mobility units. Advanced materials, mounting options, and connector flexibility ensure full compatibility with modern design frameworks. As medical technology evolves, we remain committed to providing technically advanced air springs for every emerging need. Tevema stands ready to meet these evolving demands.