Air Bearing technology

BY
L.Surya Theja
11701A0384
 CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Types of air bearings
• Precision of air bearing manufacture
• comparision of rolling element
• comparision of Bearing life
• Air bearing Benefits
• Air bearing Disadvantages
• Applications
• Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION
• Air beaarings are bearing that utilize a thin filmof
pressurised air to provide an exceedingly low
friction load-bearing interface between surfaces.
• The two surfaces are contact free.
• The fluid filmof the bearing is air that flows
through the bearing itself to the bearing surface.
• The design of the air bearing is such that,
although the air constantly escapes from the
bearing gap, the pressure between the faces of
the bearing is enough to support the working
loads.
 Types of Air bearing

• Aerodynamical bearings.
• Aerostatical bearings.
 Aerostatic Bearing
• In this the air is
pumped through the
orifice or through a
porous material.
• This bearings rely on
an external pump.
 Aerodynamic Bearing
• which establish the air
cushion through their
movement.
• They rely on bearing
motion to suck fluid into
bearing
• It may have high friction
and short life at speeds
lower than design or
during starts and stops.
Precision of air bearing
manufacture
Comparison of rolling element and
air bearing stiffness
Comparison of bearing life
Bearing system comparision
 AIR BEARING BENEFITS
• Greater Precision
• High Speed
• Increased Tool Life
• Improved Surface Finish
Air bearing stiffness values:
 Axial: up to 250 N/micron (1,400,000 lb/in)
 Radial: up to 580 N/micron (3,300,000 lb/in)
• Long Bearing Life
• Low Thermal Growth
• Lack of Maintenance
• Large Load Capacity
• Reduced Vibration
• Cleanliness
 Disadvantages

• High geometrical accuracies which are

required during manufacturing.
• The supplied pressurized air which has to
be clean and dry.
 Applications of air bearings

• Automotive Technology
Air beared cutting engine
Air beared Doppler engine
Air-guided Turb charger
• Medical Technology
Air guided computed tomography
• Space Technology
Air-magnetic slip system
 CONCLUSION

• Air bearing technology offers real

advantages to applications where the
demand for accuracy,speed and reliability
is crucial.