Air Skates & Bearings - Cost Effective Load Moving Systems For The UK

Everything you need to know about air skates and air bearings

All About Air Skates & Bearings

What are air skates?
Air skates are fabricated load modules that are placed at strategic positions beneath a heavy load prior to moving the load. The air skates then provide support to the load while it is resting on top of them.

How do air skates work?
Air skates are manufactured with integral chambers that allow compressed air to flow through them to an onboard air bearing. When the compressed air reaches the air bearing, it cause it to inflate and lift the load away from the floor surface.

How does the inflation process work?
When air is introduced to an air skate module, it flows through air chambers within the module which eventually routes the air to an outlet which is interfaced by the onboard air bearing. Air from the module passes through the outlet into the air bearing which then starts to inflate.  Initially, the air bearing is resting in a deflated state on the floor surface via a load pad which fixes through the center of the bearing to the air skate load module. The first stage of inflation causes the air bearing to rise and form a seal with the floor surface. From this stage, the air bearing continues to inflate until it is full, at which time air will then gradually escape from the exhaust holes in the air bearing diaphragm. As the escaping air has nowhere to go it repels against the non-porous floor surface and the resulting air pressure forces back against the air skates causing them to float the load away from the floor surface on a thin film of (escaping) air. When flotation is reached, the load can be safely floated across the floor to its destination.

Can you use just one air skate on its own?
No. Air skates are used in a series of three or more to operate at optimum performance. Using just one air skate would not provide the necessary support and balance to the load, thus making it an unsafe practice which Rotair Systems does not recommend.

Is an air skate load moving system easy to assemble?
Absolutely. Putting an air skate load moving system together is a breeze. When a system is purchased as a complete kit, everything you will need is included in the one package. Air supply hoses, valves, tee-pieces and all other hardware required will arrive with the system. Hoses and connecting hardware will have quick-disconnect attachments fitted so you can simply snap them on to the appropriate fittings. Once everything is connected, you simply connect your compressed air supply and start load moving right away. It really is that easy!

What if I need more air skate power?
No problem! Air skate load moving systems are truly modular and very versatile. You can add (or remove) extra air skates to your system very easily at any given time. Adding an extra air skate is very simple and usually only entails adding an additional tee-piece connector and length of air supply hose.

When would I need to add extra air skates?
Additional air skates would normally be required in such situations where the load is of an awkward shape or size, or has disproportionate weight distribution. In such cases you would simply add an extra air skate or two to the places where the weight distribution requires extra support. For example, if you had a load that was rectangular, but one side weighed 4 tonnes and the other side only weighed two tonnes, you would place extra skates on the heavier side to support the extra weight and to ensure smooth and balanced flotation takes place. In some cases it might be possible to place your existing module more strategically to alleviate the need for additional air skates. Rotair Systems is always on hand to advise.

Will I need to have a remote control unit on my system?
Basically, remote control units allow you to control air flow to all air skates from one central point - the remote control unit. The main compressed air supply connects directly to the remote control unit and air flow to the individual air skates is controlled by a series of valves on the remote control unit. Using an RC allows you to modify air flow settings on the fly if, say, the load encounters a slight variation in the floor surface that warrants a slight adjustment in air flow to an individual module.

What if I don't want a remote control unit?
No problem at all, they are not a necessity for operating these great load moving systems. If you choose to not use a remote control unit, you will simply use an air flow control valve on the side of each air skate module to make your air flow adjustments. Your Rotair Systems contact will explain it to you at time of order.

What if I have a large machine that I frequently move?
We have the perfect solution: fix a set of air skates permanently to the machine, then set it and forget it. For instance, if you are using a set of air skates that are permanently fitted to a large machine or similar load that requires frequent movements, you would simply adjust the air flow valves individually the first time you used them and leave them at those settings when the move is complete. Then, the next time the machine is moved, it should not need any further adjustments as the original air flow control settings have not changed. Each time the machined needs moving you would simply plug in your air supply hose to the system, turn on the air and GO!

What about weight capacities?
Naturally, all air bearings that are attached to air skates have a limit to what they are capable of lifting. An air skate kit incorporating 12-inch air bearings would have a total lift capacity of around 2 tonnes - approximately 500 kg per bearing. However, increasing the diameter and size of the onboard air bearings will increase the combined lifting capacities of your load moving system. Rotair Systems can supply air skate load moving systems that are capable of lifting and moving 100 tonnes and beyond.

Do you need any special training to use air skates?
No, not at all. Air skates are very easy to use and operate. Naturally, you will need to take into account the safety regulations of your workplace, plus be aware of compressed air safety and the hazards of  not using it correctly. Other than that it is just a question of applying common sense and general safety awareness and being in control of your load moving operations at all times.

Can anyone use air skates?
Absolutely. Anyone can easily use and operate an air skate load moving system. The days of needing muscle-men to push your heavy loads around are long gone. They can be safely used by anyone - guys, gals and even the boss. In fact, a team of three or four ladies can handle and move a load of 5 tonnes with ease and safety.

Do air skate systems have brakes?
No they don't. And this is a very important factor of your load moving system. They do not have brakes, so therefore you must be constantly aware that the load movement has to be stopped as well as started. It is vitally important to ensure that you have enough assistants around to help with moving and stopping your heavy loads. Only when the load is in its final position should the air supply be turned off. Turning off the air supply before the load has stopped will be tantamount to using the air bearings as a braking system. This will not only cause damage to the air bearings, but it is also an unsafe practice that we do not recommend - except in emergencies only. An emergency dead-man STOP button can be incorporated into the remote control system if requested. Please ask your Rotair Systems contact for details.

What are the ideal operating conditions?
Air skate load moving systems will operate at optimum performance when use on a clean, dry and level floor surface. The floor surface must be non-porous and preferably of smooth concrete type. Smooth non-embossed linoleum or thin sheet metal will also provide a good operating surface for your system. It is also important to ensure the floor surface is as level as possible. Remember, the load will be "floating on air," so that as soon as flotation has been reached, the load will try to move via gravity if the floor is not level. Have plenty of helpers on hand when floating the load for the first time so you can control the load if the floor is not level.

Can air skates slide under loads or machinery?
Yes they can. And this is one of the great features of these systems. The standard aluminium and steel air skates need a clearance height of approximately 7.5 cm. The low profile aluminium systems need even less clearance - around 4 cm. The VL-type systems need ground clearance of just 20mm and are perfect for lightweight loads or machines with low clearance heights. If your clearance height is a little too high for a snug air skate fit, you can always use a shim plate the size of the air skate. Bear in mind that the standard A-type air bearing will only lift the load just enough for it to clear the floor surface. Rotair Systems will be happy to advise you on any aspect of adjusting the air skates to interface with your loads.

How are air skates better than forklift trucks and cranes?
Air skates, or any of our load moving systems, will never replace the forklift truck for convenience of moving lighter loads, or the overhead gantry style crane for convenience at unloading bays. However, air skate kits and load moving systems do offer quite a bit more versatility over the forklift and crane. For instance, air skates are not too fussy what shape their load is, or how the weight is distributed. They simply need to have the air skate modules placed in the right positions and the load will easily be handled. However, if you have, say, a load that is twice as heavy at one end than the other end, a forklift and crane are going to have balance problems, and as they lift the load it is likely to topple, or it may not even lift at all. Another great example is that air skate systems are truly omnidirectional and can spin on the proverbial sixpence. A load of 6 meters long by 1 metre wide loaded onto a set of air skates can easily be directed into a space that is just wider than its width in a LONGWAYS travel direction. Click link for a diagram example. Remember to hit your BACK button to return here.

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For any questions or queries that have not been covered on this page, please do not hesitate to contact us at Rotair Systems. We will be happy to advise you accordingly.