Nylon Pivot Foot

OEM / ODM Available Free Sample Available ISO 9001:2015 RoHS REACH

Levelling foot with a moulded PA6 nylon pivot joint and base, selected for vibration damping, electrical insulation, corrosion resistance and a non-marking pad.

Wholesale Price $0.42 - $3.20 / pc per pc
Material PA6 nylon joint and base; zinc-plated steel stem
Alloy Grade Not applicable
Temper custom
Section Size Fits profile ends with M8-M16 thread insert
Slot M8 / M10 / M12 / M16 stem thread
Length Stem 40-80 mm; overall height 55-140 mm
Tolerance ±0.3 mm on thread pitch diameter
Surface Moulded nylon; zinc-plated stem
MOQ 500
Lead Time 15-25 days after deposit
Loading Port Shanghai / Ningbo
Supply Ability 250,000 pcs per month
Payment Terms T/T 30% deposit + 70% before shipment | L/C at sight
Trade Terms FOB | CIF | EXW
Certifications ISO 9001:2015 | RoHS | REACH
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Levelling feet · Polymer joint

A nylon pivot foot uses a moulded PA6 nylon joint and base in place of the steel shell of a conventional levelling foot. The joint still allows the pad to sit flat on an uneven floor, but the material changes what the foot does beyond levelling: it damps vibration, it insulates the frame electrically, it does not corrode, and it will not mark a finished floor.

That combination makes it the standard foot on equipment frames rather than machine frames. A bench that carries a precision instrument, a frame that has to be isolated from a static discharge, a frame standing on a new epoxy floor, or a frame in a damp or mildly corrosive environment all get more from a nylon foot than from a steel one.

What the polymer actually contributes

Vibration dampingPA6 absorbs a useful fraction of the vibration that would otherwise pass between the frame and the floor. On a bench carrying a microscope or a load cell, that is the difference between a readable measurement and a noisy one.
Electrical insulationA nylon foot breaks the conductive path between an aluminium frame and a concrete or steel floor. That is the normal way to isolate a frame electrically without a separate insulating pad.
Corrosion resistanceThe base and joint cannot rust. In a damp workshop, a wash-down area or an outdoor installation, a nylon base outlasts a zinc-plated steel one by a wide margin.
Floor protectionPA6 is softer than epoxy, vinyl and most painted finishes, so the pad does not scuff or mark them. It also does not leave a rust stain if the frame is washed.
StemPad ØStatic loadTypical frame
M8 × 40 mm40 mm400 kgInstrument benches and light stands
M10 × 50 mm50 mm600 kgWorkbenches and equipment frames
M12 × 60 mm60 mm1,000 kgMachine frames and test rigs
M16 × 80 mm80 mm1,600 kgHeavier frames in stainless-free areas

Where a nylon foot is the wrong choice

The same properties that make nylon useful also limit it. It is softer than steel, so it creeps under a sustained high load and it deforms under a side load. It has a lower continuous temperature limit — around 90 °C for PA6 — so a foot close to a heat source or a weld operation is a problem. And because it insulates, it cannot be relied on to earth a frame that has to be bonded.

On a frame that is pushed sideways, or one carrying a very heavy static load, a steel or stainless foot is the right answer. Nylon is the default for equipment frames and the wrong choice for heavy machine bases.

Practical point: if the frame has to be both insulated and anchored, we can supply a nylon foot with a steel base plate that is drilled and bolted down through an insulating bush, so the anchor does not bridge the insulation.

Fitting

  1. Tap or insert the profile end A thread insert pressed into the core hole of the profile takes the M8 to M16 stem. Standard inserts match the standard stems, so no adaptor is needed.
  2. Screw the foot in Screw the foot into the insert by hand until it seats, then adjust with the spanner flats on the stem.
  3. Level the frame under load Adjust the feet with the equipment already on the frame, because the polymer settles slightly as the load comes on.
  4. Fit the locking nut Lock the stem against the profile end. Without it, vibration walks the setting out over time.
  5. Re-check after a few weeks Because of creep, re-check the level once the frame has been in service for a short period. A quarter-turn is usually all that is needed.

Frequently asked questions

Is a nylon foot strong enough for a machine frame?

For a machine frame up to around 1,000 kg per foot with a static load, yes. For heavier or vibrating machinery a steel or stainless foot is the better choice, because the polymer creeps under sustained high load.

Does the nylon foot insulate the frame?

Yes. It breaks the conductive path between the frame and the floor, which is the usual way to isolate a frame electrically. Where the frame also has to be bonded to earth, that has to be done separately.

Will the pad mark a new epoxy floor?

No. PA6 is softer than epoxy and does not scuff or mark it, and it does not leave a rust stain if the area is washed down.

What is the temperature limit?

About 90 °C continuous for PA6. A foot adjacent to a heat source or a weld return should be a metal foot instead.

Can a nylon foot be anchored to the floor?

Yes, with a steel base plate bolted through an insulating bush so the anchor does not bridge the insulation.

Send the frame and the floor finish

Tell us what the frame carries, the floor finish and whether the frame has to be electrically isolated. We will return the foot, the stem size and FOB pricing within one working day.

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