Air caster

What are the meaning of air caster

An air caster is a pneumatic lifting device used to move heavy loads on flat, non-porous surfaces. Its operation is similar to a hovercraft, as it uses a thin layer of air as a way to float a very small distance off the ground. Compressed air enters an airbag shaped like a torus and when the bag is filled it creates an airtight seal with the ground, and forces more air into the center of torus, eventually causing the air to flow over the bag and to raise the load above the ground .The compressed air is forced under the airbag, pushing it and the load less than a millimeter off the ground .

The advantages and the problem air caster solved ? 

Because air casters are virtually friction-free, the force required to move them is very low, often around one to five lbs. per 1,000 lbs. of weight. Air casters are also omni-directional, meaning they move with equal ease in any direction.

Material handling is the movement of material from one place to another by means of proper material handling equipment . It may be picking up more putting down , moving horizontally or vertically up or in any inclined plane ,of any kind in their raw ,semi-finished or finished state.

What are the problems our team want to solve it with this project ?

To develop a flexible material handling equipment for movement of the heavy loads by the application of small effort

To develop such material handling equipment which does not damage the floor.

To carried out the design, part modeling and development of 400kg

Some of disadvantage and Limitations of air caster .

Air casters require a smooth, non-porous surface in order to maintain lift and operate properly. Cracks and other surface defects can interrupt the proper flow of air, causing the air cushion to dissipate and thus lose its ability to lift. This limits their application to fields like manufacturing, where such surfaces are abundant. Also necessary is connection to a system which provides compressed air, as well as a power supply.

Usually, standard concrete warehouse or factory floors provide an adequate surface. Some large cracks and filling expansion joint repairs may be required. Overlay material can provide options for moving over rough surfaces. (Example: You can use an overlay material to move onto an area of broom finished concrete outside. The overlay material can be sheet metal or a heavy gauge plastic sheet material.

The history of air caster .

The air caster (originally called the air bearing) was invented by Harry A Mackie in December 1961 as the “pendant air bearing load supporting device” for General Motors Corporation as an alternative to the overhead crane, which ran opposed to a rail, creating friction free movement. In November 1963, Mackie, on behalf of General Motors Corporation, filed a patent for an “air bearing support with automatic air flow regulation” This was the first air caster that was designed to be used on the ground.

In January 1964, David R Snoeyenbos, while working for General Motors Corporation, revised the design of the air caster, and filed a patent for a “reversible air bearing support”. General Motors Corporation manufactured air casters, or “air bearings” for several years, then sold the rights to Snoeyenbos, who moved to Decatur, Illinois to found Airfloat. Snoeyenbos launched his company from his brother’s manufacturing shop in 1964, and officially incorporated as the Airfloat Corp in 1967

Today, air casters are manufactured by several companies worldwide, such as Airfloat, Air

Caster Corp, AeroGo, Hovair, Solving, Vertex, and Aerofilm Systems

Working principle :

Stage-1 Air filling

Stage-2 Air bag inflation

Stage-3 Air Escapes and Air film formation