Air Bearing Information

[Mark_f]

Does anyone know how much pressure an air bearing requires. And to get really hopeful .... Does anyone know how much CFM they require.

 

[Billh50]

This place has some info
http://hovair.com/air-bearing-info/air-bearing-answers/air-bearings-questions.htm

 

[Bob Korves]

This place has some info
http://hovair.com/air-bearing-info/air-bearing-answers/air-bearings-questions.htm

I think, but am not sure, that Mark was referring to an air spindle bearing, but I am assuming as well...

Either way, it depends on size and loading.

 

[Mark_f]

This place has some info
http://hovair.com/air-bearing-info/air-bearing-answers/air-bearings-questions.htm

That is the wrong kind of air bearing. I was referring to an air spindle. I'm sorry.... I guess I should have specified that.

 

[Mark_f]

I think, but am not sure, that Mark was referring to an air spindle bearing, but I am assuming as well...

Either way, it depends on size and loading.

I would think most of the tool grinder air bearings are close to the same. I just have no idea where to start. I want to get a small compressor to run just the air bearing. I was thinking of an air brush compressor. the are small, quiet and put out around 50 PSI, but not a lot of volume. that is why I wondered if anyone had any experience. It was probably 35 years since I used one briefly and I don't remember anything.

 

[Bob Korves]

Mark,
Here:
http://www.newwayairbearings.com/si...cation_and_design_guide_ Rev_E_2006-01-18.pdf
is a guide to air bearings, and it talks about the quality of air needed and how to quantify it. It does not talk at all about the recommended pressure and flow rate. That would be specified by the manufacturer of the spindle. I have never used one myself...

 

[4GSR]

I have two air spindles on hand that I use about every ten years. One is a Weldon and the other is a Dever. They both use about 40 psi air pressure. Use dry filtered air, no oil! They both use lots of air. Guessing around 3 to 5 cfm. An 2HP 15 gallon tank air compressor will get a good workout. An air brush compressor will have a tough time, three of them tied together might get you there.

 

[ch2co]

Here is another introductory air bearing brochure

http://www.specialtycomponents.com/Resources/Technical-Articles/Air-Bearing-Fundamentals/

Dang it guys, I hadn't thought of air bearings for nigh on 50 years, and now you have to remind me of
something else that I would like to play with. Can't think of any immediate projects except maybe a balancing
stand, but I see a few air bearing in my future.

CHuck the grumpy old guy

 

[Tony Wells]

Cuttermaster offers a T&C grinder with an air spindle, and they recommend 90 PSI. No mention of consumption is made in the manual. The only comment that may give even a clue is that the spindle should not be operated at colder temps, because the mechanism will bind. This tells me that the clearance is probably in the (very) few tenths range. This seems right to me, from what I remember running one. Without the air at all, they are still pretty smooth and tight feeling. With only a few tenths clearance, you could calculate the consumption based on running at 90 PSI.

 

[Mark_f]

Cuttermaster offers a T&C grinder with an air spindle, and they recommend 90 PSI. No mention of consumption is made in the manual. The only comment that may give even a clue is that the spindle should not be operated at colder temps, because the mechanism will bind. This tells me that the clearance is probably in the (very) few tenths range. This seems right to me, from what I remember running one. Without the air at all, they are still pretty smooth and tight feeling. With only a few tenths clearance, you could calculate the consumption based on running at 90 PSI.

Thanks, I finally found a copy of the Cutter master manual. Boy, they are stingy with them. really hard to find, but someone uploaded one to the net. Yea, I see they recommend 90 PSI. HF has a 100 PSI , 3 gallon tank, 1/3 HP, 2/3 CFM air compressor on sale. I am wondering if it will work as I don't want to fire up my big compressor just to run the tool grinder. But from what 4gsr says, I may have to.