A flexible tube for an endoscope includes a flexible elongated structural body and an outer cover provided over the elongated structural body. In one example, a tag, associated with shipped goods, authenticates with a local area network that is associated with a destination of the goods. A biasing member biases a locking mechanism that is mounted to the first guide member into engagement with the notches. The displacer levitated by an integral gas bearing and small clearance seal and given oscillatory translational motion by electromagnetic forces operates without surface wear.