What are air bearings used for?

Air bearings are used in many precision machine tool applications, including precision grinders and lathes, for the production of optical lenses. The unique properties of air bearings provide for ultra-precision positioning and motion, with no lubricants or wear, making them ideal for these demanding applications.

What is an air foil bearing?

Air foil bearings are a type of gas bearing, with a design that uses the pressure in a gas film to hold the moving and stationary surfaces apart, allowing low-friction, high-speed rotation.

How do you clean air bearings?

  1. Clean flat, round, or rectangular air bearing and guide surfaces when needed.
  2. Clean with 60 psi (0.41 MPa) air pressure applied, using using Isopropyl Alcohol 70% ONLY.
  3. Do not clean bearing surfaces or guideways with ketones.
  4. Clean by applying alcohol to a clean, dry cloth and wiping surfaces thoroughly.

How does an air bearing reduce friction?

According to the American Bearing Manufacturing Association, bearings are critical components that enable machines with moving parts to operate at high speeds with greater stability. Sustaining linear or rotational motion, bearings reduce the mechanical contact between machine parts to reduce friction, wear, and drag.

What are air bearings made of?

Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Air bearings (also known as aerostatic or aerodynamic bearings) are fluid bearings that use a thin film of pressurized gas to provide a low friction load-bearing interface between surfaces.

Is rubbing alcohol good for cleaning bearings?

Soak bearings in isopropyl alcohol The whole point of cleaning your bearings is to prolong the life of them and reduce your costs of purchasing new ones. So for $1-3 dollars, you can buy some isopropyl based alcohol from your local convenience store.

Can you spin bearings with compressed air?

Before you begin, put on clean elastomer gloves and use clean, lint-free rags when handling bearings. It is important to filter and dry compressed air, if it is used. Compressed air should never be used for bearing spinning. A high temperature may accelerate the failure of bearings due to deposits.

What is the advantage of using magnetic bearings?

Magnetic bearing advantages include very low and predictable friction, and the ability to run without lubrication and in a vacuum. Magnetic bearings are increasingly used in industrial machines such as compressors, turbines, pumps, motors and generators.