Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] re: air bearings was Re: Air spindles

Smoke wrote:

> How easy would that "airbag" technique be for moving around a 2000 pound
> mill?

I watched them float drive train assemblies into place at the Chrysler plant
here in Fenton, MO. That's an air/ hydraulic jack, holding fixture, engine,
transaxle, all accessories mounted on engine, front suspension components,
etc. It floats on a 4' square cushion powered by a standard air hose. The
problem is the floor has to be REALLY flat. Otherwise you'd need compliant
air bearing floaters, or a compliant lip and a lot more air, making it more of
a low-altitude hovercraft than an air bearing.

There's no question that an air slider can do the job, though. With just a few
Lbs/sq In pressure, a couple of square feet of slider would have no trouble
lifting a one ton mill.

Jon