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Air Bearings

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About Air Bearings

Air bearings use a thin film of pressurized air to support a load. This type of bearing is called a "fluid film" bearing. Fluid film bearings have no solid-to-solid contact under typical running conditions; instead, a film of lubricating fluid (in this case pressurized air) forms a layer between the solid machine elements and serves to transfer forces from one to the other.         

The fluid film of the bearing is achieved by supplying a flow of air through the bearing itself to the bearing surface. This air cushion may be achieved in a couple of ways.  The most common means of creating an air film is with an orifice.  Other designs deliver the air through a porous medium to ensure uniform pressure across the entire bearing area. The design of the air bearings is such that, although the air constantly dissipates from the bearing site, the continual flow of pressurized air through the bearing is sufficient to support the working loads.

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Products & Services Related to Air Bearings

Aerospace Bearings
Aerospace bearings are designed to meet the rigorous demands of aircraft control and aerospace applications.
Ball Bearings
Ball bearings are used to provide smooth, low friction motion in rotary applications. Ball bearings types include radial ball bearings (deep groove and angular contact) and thrust ball bearings.
Ball Transfers and Ball Transfer Units
Ball transfers are conveyors that use fixed balls to transport products and materials by rolling. Ball transfer units are ball transfer components that consist of a large, load-bearing ball which sits atop smaller balls inside of a hemispherical cup.
Linear Bearings
Linear bearings are used in applications where a component needs to be moved along a straight line with high accuracy.
Linear Guides and Rails
Linear guides and rails provide a smooth, precision, guiding surface on which the rolling element of a linear bearing rides.
Specialty Rotary Bearings
Specialty rotary bearings are specialized or proprietary rotary products and accessories related to roller bearings.

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    Airbearings or air casters support loads on a cushion of air like an air hockey puck on an air hockey table. It is a unique air support device, but may be compared with two other forms of air...
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  • "Air" on the side of smoothness
    Air bearings eliminate static friction and stick-slip that compromise precision. New Way Machine Components Inc. Standard porous air bearings from New Way come in various shapes and sizes. Porous...
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