For a long time, heavy loads were moved by forcing air between two machined surfaces, primarily in the die-making industry. This method of movement had two major disadvantages:
- Both operating surfaces required a very smooth finish
- Both surfaces had to be very flat
The two major goals behind the Air Bearing Development Program were:
- To develop a general purpose product, on which a load could be placed, moved and then unloaded.
- To develop a product that could be used on surfaces such as factory floors, rather than on machined surfaces.
The results of General Motor's efforts are known as Air Bearings, although it is more correct to call them 'compliant' air bearings (because the torus 'complies' with variations in the operating surface).
Air Flotation Advantages
- AeroGo now uses air, water and other liquids as the fluid film medium.
- In the movement of very heavy loads (usually from 1,000 tonnes and up), the cost of pumping water or liquids, is about 12% of the cost of compressing air.
The use of liquids has lead to the broader, more accurate term for the technology - Compliant Fluid Film Technology.
For more information on Air Flotation Handling Equipment, please visit the website at the link below.