Question 1

How do Air Bearings Work?

Accepted Answer

Air bearings are designed to lift loads away from the surface and float them on a thin film of air. Air bearings use a thin film of pressurized air to support a load. There isÂ  no Solid contact between the two surfaces.

Question 2

What maintenance do air bearings need?

Accepted Answer

OAV Air Bearings Porous Media Air Bearings require no maintenance. If you do need to clean the air bearing surface simply wipe with isopropyl alcohol and let it dry.

Question 3

How is a thrust bearing guided? How is a thrust bearing held in position

Accepted Answer

There are clamps or face collars on each side of the thrust bearing to hold the bearing in one position. Once in position, the bearing stays there and the shaft can rotate freely

Question 4

What is recommended air quality for OAV Air bearings

Accepted Answer

Between ISO 8573.1 Quality Classes 3 & 4. Minimum recommendation: dirt particle size at 15 microns, dew point at 37 deg F, oil/vapour content at 5mg per cubic meter Works best: dirt particle size at 5 microns, dew point at -4 deg F, oil/vapour content at 1 mg per cubic meter.

Question 5

Can only air be used for air bearings?

Accepted Answer

Compressed air is very common in industrial environments, however other gases such as compressed nitrogen can be also used. Different gases will provide different results. The specifications listed by OAVCO are based on compressed air.

Question 6

How does OAV Air Bearing maintain stability and damping effect?

Accepted Answer

We design our Air bearings to have a special epoxy to block the pores on the surface where air flow is not desired. Our design forces the flow in the direction of the frictionless surface. This results in higher stiffness, more stability, and better damping properties.

Question 7

Can I download solid files and drawings?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can click on the product link and each size will have a solid file and drawing.

Question 8

What is the difference between the Air Bearing Guides and the Flat Air Bearings? And which one do I need?

Accepted Answer

Both are designed for precision linear motion. Flat air bearings are more commonly used and are more cost effective. The Air Beaing Guides such as Dovetail Series are high-end air bearing systems designed to handle more load, higher acceleration, and more moment.

Question 9

How do I install OAV Air Bearings?

Accepted Answer

It is important to read the Design Guide found here. This information will help you design around the air bearing. The links below are the direct link to the Installation Guide for the respective air bearings:   Roller Air Bearing Thrust Air Bearing Air Bushing Flat Air Bearings

Question 10

How much air pressure do I use?

Accepted Answer

It is best to start with 40 PSI and gradually increase until desired results are acheived. Our standard air bearings are designed to function between 40PSI and 100 PSI

Question 11

How much do air bearings cost?

Accepted Answer

Pricing will vary based on the quantity. Contact OAV Air Bearings for a quote. http://oavco.com/purchase.html

Question 12

How accurate are air bearings?

Accepted Answer

The accuracy of air bearings is almost entirely determined by the accuracy of the guide. To improve the accuracy, the guide will need to have high stiffness, very good flatness and the right surface roughness. For best results use the following tolerances:   Surface Roughness 16 micro-inch (0.4 micron) RMS or better Grade A for high precision Grade AA for ultra precision   OAV manufactures guide surfaces. With state of the art measuring and testing quipment OAV can assure that tolerances are met and that the air bearings get the desired performance on the guide.

Question 13

How small can you manufacture custom size?

Accepted Answer

We can manufacture as small as 3mm ID air bearing.

Question 14

How fast can a bearing rotate?

Accepted Answer

Clasic Bearings work to help one surface slide along another by minimizing the points of friction between the two. Imagine sliding a puck across a hockey table without using the air . There's friction at all points where the puck is touching the surface. But if you turn the air on, Suddenly that puck is racing across the table.   Below is standart size Air Bearing speed (RPM) 0.25 Inch 140,000RPM 13 mm 76,500RPM 20 mm 50,000RPM 25mm 40,000RPM 40mm 25,000RPM 50mm 20,000RPM 75mm 13,250RPM

Question 15

How does OAV Air Bearing maintain stability and damping effect?

Accepted Answer

We design our Air bearings to have a special epoxy to block the pores on the surface where air flow is not desired. Our design forces the flow in the direction of the frictionless surface. This results in higher stiffness, more stability, and better damping properties.

Question 16

What happens to Air bearing systems when the air supply suddenly shuts off ?

Accepted Answer

Oav Air bearings are made from Aircraft Quality Aluminum and Graphite. Graphite is a carbon that forms only two bonds with other carbon atoms. This means it has free electrons and the graphite material exists in layers. This enables one layer to slip over another layer, making graphite an excellent lubricant. If the air supply shuts off, Oav Air bearings act as low friction bushings and it won't damage the platform or the bearing.

Question 17

What is the accuracy of these OAV air bushings?

Accepted Answer

Ultra-precise linear and rotory motion Linear Accuracy: 10µin/in, 100µin/36 in Rotary Accuracy: ±1µin TIR Roll/Pitch/Yaw: 0.25 arcsec/in Linear Repeatability: ±10µin Rotary Repeatability: 1µin Positioning Resolution: to ±1 encoder count

Question 18

I have orifice air bearings. How will I benefit by switching to porous media air bearings?

Accepted Answer

Porous media air bearings distribute the air much more evenly. Because of this, they offer the benefit of more load capacity, higher stiffness, better gap stability, etc. In addition, the porous material (graphite) has a natural lubricity. Therefore, your assembly will still work even if the bearing briefly makes contact with the guide. An orifice air bearing however, will have metal on metal contact which could damage both the bearing and the guide. The porous media air bearings won't get damaged from contact.

Question 19

What is OAV Roller Air Bearing?

Accepted Answer

The OAV Roller Air bearing is designed to replace conventional bearings. The roller bearing is hard installed at a fixed location. The result: no friction, no contact, requires no maintenance, indefinite operating life, and no heat generation at high speeds.

Question 20

Can I use an OAV air bushing for Fixed location, rotational motion as well as linear motion?"

Accepted Answer

Yes, OAV Air Bushings and Unique OAV Roller Air Bearings are designed to support rotating shafts with linear motion or fixed location. See http://oavco.com/rollerairbearing

FAQ

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