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Porous air bearings have been introduced by IBS Precision Engineering
Porous air bearings said to combine virtually frictionless motion with high load carrying capabilities and locational accuracy have been introduced by positioning and measurement solutions specialist IBS Precision Engineering. Available in flat, cylindrical, radial, vacuum preloaded or custom-engineered variants, New Way air bearings claim numerous benefits over traditional ball or roller bearings, making them ideal for demanding high-precision applications in industries as diverse as optical lens or mirror polishing, lithography, precision gauging, metrology, silicon wafer manufacture and high-speed machinery. The units’ porous media provides uniform air distribution under the bearing, virtually eliminating static friction and enabling accurate positional accuracy to be achieved with very high repeatability. Likewise, the bearings’ non-contact operating properties effectively eliminate wear, to deliver consistent machine performance and low particle generation over an almost limitless service life.
In addition, air bearings can maintain more consistent directional motion and operate more smoothly and silently than traditional roller or ball designs, which generate noise and vibration through the repeated loading and unloading of their rotating elements. When combined with their inherent squeeze film damping effect, this new range provides high dynamic stiffness and controllability, ensuring their suitability for high-speed and/or high acceleration applications. Furthermore, the bearings’ operating characteristics eliminate the need for oil lubrication and generate positive air pressure to produce a self-cleaning action when in use. Supplied in either graphite or silicon carbide, New Way air bearings feature low air consumption and are available from stock as either single units or as fully integrated elements within linear air slides or rotary tables.