AIR BEARING

SEMINAR REPORT

Submitted by

THESIYA YOGESH

in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree

of
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
in
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY
DHARMSINH DESAI UNIVERSITY, NADIAD
April 2016

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 BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
Certified that this project report “AIR - BEARING” is the bonafide work

of YOGESH R. THESIYA who carried out the seminar work under my

supervision.

(Prof. G. D. Bassan). (Prof. K. K. Shah)

HEAD SUPERVISOR
Mechanical Engineering Department. Assistant Professor
Faculty of Technology. Mechanical Engineering Department
Dharmsinh Desai University. Faculty of Technology
College Road. Dharmsinh Desai University
Nadiad – 387 001. College Road
Gujarat. Nadiad – 387 001,Gujarat

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 ABSTRACT
This report “AIR BEARING” contains the history of the Air bearing ,why they come into picture,
advantages-disadvantages and applications of these bearings.

In this bearing shaft is suspended due to Air film. The bearings which are generally used in
application, supports the shaft on it and involves physical contact between shaft and bearing. This
causes friction between two rubbing surfaces and wear & tear of metal surfaces.

Use of Air-bearing obsolete the physical contact between two surfaces, hence reduce the friction,
no wear and tear, and no noise so safe working condition and long life machine component.

The main objective of this project is to aware the students about new technology and innovation
in existing one. It is also believed that this project can contribute towards enhancing the learning
process of students.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is always a pleasure to remind the fine people in the engineering program for their sincere I
received to uphold my practical as well as theoretical skills in engineering.

Firstly, I would like to thank Mr. G.D. Bassan (Head of Mechanical Department) meticulously
planning academic curriculum in such a way that students are not only academically should but
also practically ready by including such Mechanical project patterns.

I would also like to convey my heartful gratitude to Mr.K.K.Shah sir, who continuously guiding
me, from initial advice to encouragement till this date.

Finally I would like to thank my friends, who continuously supported me and inspired me in every
possible way, from beginning to till now.

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 Table of Content
Title Page No.
Abstract IV
List of Figures VII
1. Introduction 01
2. History 05
3. Working 06
3.1 Principle of Operation of Air bearings 06
3.2 Stages of Working of Air bearings 09
4. Classification 11
4.1 Hydrostatic and Hydrodynamic Air bearings 11
4.1.1 Hydrodynamic Air bearings 11
4.1.2 Hydrostatic Air bearings 13
4.2 Conventional Air bearings 14
4.3 Single Nozzle Air bearings 15
4.4 Air bearings with channels and chambers 15
4.5 Porous Air bearings 15
4.6 Laser drilled Micro-nozzle Air bearings 16
5. Air bearing Aspects 19
5.1 Materials 19
5.2 Why we use air? 20
5.3 How does the air get into the bearing? 21
5.4 When to use Air bearing? 22
5.5 When not to use Air bearing? 22
5.6 Manufacturing challenges of Air bearings 23
6. Air bearing Geometry 24
6.1 On Accuracy,Presicision,Repeatability 24
6.2 Preloading of Air bearings 26

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 6.3 Air bearing Configuration 28
7. Air bearing Advantages-Disadvantages 30
7.1 Advantages 30
7.1.2 low friction 30
7.1.2 High accuracy 31
7.1.3 High stiffness 31
7.1.4 Zero wear 31
7.1.5 Contamination 32
7.1.6 Wide Temperature Range 32
7.1.7 Environmental Advantage 33
7.2 Disadvantages 33
8. Air bearing Applications 34
8.1 Automotive technology 34
8.2 Semiconductor technology 35
8.3 Linear drives 35
8.4 Medical technology 36
8.5 Production technology 36
8.6 Space technology 37
Conclusion 38
Reference 38

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.1 Shaft with bearing 02
Figure 1.2 Bearing which is used generally 03
Figure 1.3 General Air Bearing 04
Figure 3.2.1 General working of air bearing 09
Figure 3.2.2 Deflated stage 10
Figure 3.2.3 Inflated stage 10
Figure 3.2.4 load lifted stage 10
Figure 4.1.1 Hydrodynamic:Relative Motion Generates Pressure 11
Figure 4.1.2 Hydrostatic: External Pressure Supply 13
Figure 4.2 Nozzle-air bearing with chambers and channels 14
Figure 4.5 Porous Air bearing 15
Figure 4.6.1 Cut through a cylindrical element 16
Figure 4.6.2 Laserprocessing (cut through a bearing element) 17
Figure 5.3 Basic types of air entrance 21
Figure 6.1 Air film average out local variation 24
Figure 6.2.1 weight used to preload bearing 26
Figure 6.2.2 vacuum preloaded 27
Figure 6.2.3 magnetic preloaded 27
Figure 6.2.4 opposing air bearing preloaded 28
Figure 6.3.1 Flat pad:Linear and Rotary Motion 29
Figure 6.3.2 Air Bushing/Journal Bearing:Planar(XY) and Rotary Motion 29
Figure 6.3.3 Rectangular Air bearing:Linear Motion Only 29
Figure 6.3.4 Dovetail Air Bearing:Linear Motion Only 29
Figure 6.3.5 Spherical Air Bearing:3 Rotational Degrees Of Freedom 29

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Figure 6.3.6 Air Bearing spindle:Radial motion only high radial loads 29
Figure 8.1.1 Air Bearing cutting engine 29
Figure 8.1.2 Air bearing 2-axis table with friction drive 29
Figure 8.1.3 Air bearing Doppler engine 29

Figure 8.1.4 Bearing with piston actor 29

Figure 8.1.5 Air bearing satellite system for Solar Arrays 29

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