DESIGN GUIDE
Flat Air Bearing
Design and Installation Guide
This guide provides engineering best practices for the design, preload configuration, and installation of OAV Flat Air Bearings. Follow these recommendations to achieve optimal performance, stiffness, and accuracy.
01
Typical Configurations
Common flat air bearing arrangements used in precision motion systems.
Square (4 Bearing)
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Good load distribution
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Space efficient
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Widely used configuration
Triangular (3 Bearing)
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Good stability
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Compensates for moments
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Common for large platforms
Dual (2 Bearing)
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Simple linear support configuration
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Works for guided or constrained motion
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Requires external stability or guide system
Design & Installation Guides
Linear Guide Air Bearings
02
Preload Methods
Flat air bearings can be preloaded in several ways depending on the application.
Opposite Bearings
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Bearings mounted opposite each other
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Highest stiffness and load capacity
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Surfaces must be parallel
Weights
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Constant downward force
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Simple and effective
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Minimum 3 bearings recommended
Magnets
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Good for low mass applications
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One magnet on bearing, one on guide
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Reduces overall weight
Vacuum
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Uses vacuum to preload bearings
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Better control of air film thickness
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Improves system stiffness
03
Surface Requirements
Flatness, surface finish, and air gap are critical for optimal performance.
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04
Air Gap Ratio Guidelines
Surface error expressed as a percentage of nominal air gap.
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05
Guide Surface Finish Requirements
Ra values for the bearing guide surface.
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06
Design Tips & Considerations
Follow these key points to achieve optimal bearing performance and system stability
Keep the resulting force of the load in the center of the bearing
Use 3 bearings for best stability on a flat surface
Avoid 4 bearings on flat surfaces. May cause over-constraint.
Smoother surfaces improve performance and extend life.