Overview
Air bearings utilize a pressurized gas to separate two surfaces and provide relative motion with near zero drag. This minimal friction translates into practically no wear or surface erosion of the mating parts. This is a great benefit to devices that require motion with high repeatability and accuracy such as coordinate measuring machines, high-speed pick-and-place machinery, or semiconductor wafer scanning tools.
Proper installation of the air bearing, however, can be cumbersome due to the small air gaps required for operation. Most applications of air bearings have separation gaps ranging from five to ten microns. Often times, adjustment of the bearing preload force is simply an assessment of how frictionless the stage assembly "feels" to the assembly technician. This can lead to performance loss and or failure of the bearing over time.
Attendees of this presentation will learn how gap sensing air bearings can simplify air bearing machine assembly by allowing for easy and accurate measurements of the air gap during installation. In addition, participants will discover how this novel, patent pending design permits real-time health monitoring of the bearing during operation.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the fundamentals of air bearing operation and use
- Discover the importance of proper air gap adjustment during assembly
- Learn how gap sensing air bearings can help improve machine performance
- Learn how to monitor the health of installed air bearings
Speaker
As Chief Technology Officer for Specialty Components, Marc Hadarik directs all research and development activities and is responsible for bringing new manufacturing technologies to the company. Past experience with IBM, Kollmorgen, and Rockwell Automation has given Hadarik a deep understanding of the nature of high precision machinery and accurate motion control.
