Machinery Moving With Air Bearings

Major companies throughout the world use and depend upon Air Bearings to move machinery from the receiving dock to the final destination on the shop floor. Air Bearings use compliant film technology to float large loads such as machine tools, plastic injection mold machines, transformers, and large electric motors on a thin film of air.

This technology significantly reduces the amount of force required to move a machine, provides for omni or four direction motion making 90 degree turns very easy to negotiate and protects floor surfaces from getting damaged or scuffed. In addition, Air Bearings gently move loads such as sensitive electronic equipment and make precise positioning an easy task.

A typical rigging kit includes one main air supply hose, one control console with an on/off ball valve and four self-relieving pressure regulators/gauges, four color coded hoses with quick disconnects and four low height Air Bearing Load Modules. This system can be powered via in-plant compressed air or portable compressors located as close as possible to the move site.

Air Bearings are manufactured in diameters ranging from 12 to 60 inches and can transport loads from 200 pounds up to thousands of tons. Capacities vary depending upon the size of the Air Bearing. For example, four each 27 inch diameter heavy duty load modules have a system capacity of 112,000 pounds with an air consumption of only 250 SCFM - Standard cubic feet per minute, @ 65 PSIG - Pounds per square inch – gauge pressure.

Air Bearings require only 3- 5 pounds of effort per 1000 pounds of weight on a smooth, sealed concrete floor surface. Once floating the Air Bearings provide for a clean and quiet operation within the manufacturing environment, optimization of floor space, reduce labor hours to transport loads, and improved quality and safety while eliminating the need for fork trucks/overhead cranes in most cases. Aeris Corporation manufactures standard as well as custom designed systems including individual Air Bearing load modules, planks, pallets, roll-movers, turntables, and power driven steel transporters.

About The Author:

Bob Ross is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.bearing-n-bearings.com. Keep things running smoothly with ball bearings, roller bearings, ball thrust bearings and tapered bearings.