Characteristics
In most respects aerostatic bearings are ideally suited for use in high-speed machines. Their low
friction provides high mechanical efficiency and minimizes bearing heating problems.
They are quiet and smooth running and do not add to sound and vibration levels of the machine in
the way that high-speed ball bearing do.
Applications
One of the most important fields of application of aerostatic bearings is undoubtedly on machine tools
where the range of machine tool application is very wide.
Advantages
lmost all of the benefits result from three properties of aerostatic bearings: low friction, precise axis
definition, and the absence of wear. In comparison with spindles with ball or roller bearings, the lower
level of vibration of aerostatic bearings is an important advantage. This is particularly true in relation
to the production of good work piece geometry and surface finish, and in ensuring long life of the
cutting tool, drill or grinding wheel.
erostatic bearings have been employed in machines driven by most types of electric motors and
most types of turbines. They have also been employed in a wide range of machine tool spindles
driven by various types of belts and flexible couplings. In all these cases the driving torque is evenly
and smoothly applied, excepting the case of driving by means of a belt, the drive does not apply large
loads to the bearings. Aerostatic bearings are most successful when operating under these
conditions. They are much less likely to be successfully applied to machines with pulsating drives,
which impose large internal loads on the bearings.
