AIR

BEARINGS
INTRODUCTION
A bearing is a device to allow constrained relative
motion between two or more parts, typically rotation
or linear movement.
Roller bearing developed in last century was one of
revolutionary improvement over plain bearing.
Nowadays roller bearings have been technically
limited due to semiconductor
manufacturing,highspeed machinery.
Introduction of air bearing employed established a
track record fore more than 20 years in CMM.
It basically emphasizes on providing zero friction
and wear,high speed and no lubrication.






BEARING PERFORMANCE VS.COST
Supose the plain bearing is assumed to run @ avrg.speed of
1000 rpm and accuracy to be zent %.
The roller bearing provides 3 times improved performance ie
@ 3000 rpm.
Air bearings supports the shaft to run @ higher speed of
300000 rpm.ie 100times more than roller bearing
WHAT IS AN AIR BEARING?
Air bearing utilizes a thin film of pressurized air
which acts as a lubricant between 2 surfaces
having relative motion between them.
Avoids traditional problems like friction wear
lubrication handling ect.
Fluid film is achieved by supplying air through
bearing gap.
Orifice restrictions are provided to maintain the flow
of pressurised air through bearing gap.
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.
SIMPLE WORKING OF AIR BEARINGS
Pressurised air
WHY USE AIR BEARINGS ???
Zero friction
Zero wear
Straighter motion
Silent and smooth operation
Eliminates oil
High speed
Greater precision
Long bearing life
Large load capacity
Reduced vibration
FRICTION
The coefficient of friction controlls the amount of
friction in an air bearing.
In conventional bearings Static coefficient of friction
is greater than dynamic coefficient. Ie ,it takes more
force to initiate motion than to than to maintain
motion.
stick-slipis the spontaneous jerking motion that
can occur while two objects are sliding over each
other.
In air bearings there is no difference between static
and dynamic coefficient of friction,ie stick slip issue
is completely eleminated.
EFFECT OF COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION
Friction reduces efficiency.
Friction creates heat.
Friction reduces precision.

STIFFNES

LOAD CAPACITY


There is leakage around the edges of bearing.this
causes unequal distribution of pressure across
surface.
The pressure gradient varies at air gap.
Porous compesnsation is mostly used to obtain
constant pressure gradient.
Small bearings have less area @ edges thus have
less efficience and load carrying capacity.

LOAD CAPACITY =SURFACE AREA*INPUT PRESSURE*EFFICIENCY
TYPES OF AIR BEARINGS
1.AERODYNAMIC BEARING
2.AEROSTATIC BEARING

AERODYNAMIC BEARING