Air Pallets use air casters or air bearings
in multiples to allow one person to move a heavy load across
a distance safely and efficiently using a platform floating
on a cushion of air. Airfloat
offers a wide variety of standard and custom-designed air
bearing platforms to move pallets or any large heavy load.
U-Platform Air Pallet
Series "U" Air
Platforms are low-profile, general purpose, type platforms
sized for loads weighing up to 12,000 lbs. They are equipped
with four air bearings connected by internal pneumatic
plumbing to an on/off valve. Accessories include an operator
handle, guide wheel, and a deadman-type control valve.
They are typically used for easy manual movement of container
and pallet-sized loads at workstations not having lift
truck access or for omni-directional positioning of loads
for machine loading and assembly operations. See
how a U-platform transports of large paper
rolls.
Contact Airfloat to put 40 years of material handling experience to work in your operation.
L-Platform and XL-Platform
Air Pallets
Series "L" and
Series "XL" Air Platforms are
heavy-duty, welded steel structures designed for carrying
large loads up to 150,000 lbs. These highly mobile air
bearing equipped platforms are efficient for use in assembly
lines, crane bay transfer, and random movement of any
heavy load. Typical industries are machine tool, transformer,
construction equipment, and aerospace. These platforms
can be equipped with powered drives, guide wheels, and
pendant controls.
Tire Platform & Transporter
Tire Transporter Case Study
Application:
A major construction equipment manufacturer
required equipment that would eliminate one person from a
tire mounting workstation on their assemby line.
Solution:
The
tire transporter system consists of an air bearing platform
mounted under a tire handling fixture platform. The air bearings
allow virtually friction-free, omni-directional movement
of heavy loads by manual movement of optional air-motor-powered
steerable drive (0-180 degree rotation). The operator loads
the tire on the platform with an overhead crane or fork truck
and activates a clamping fixture. The clamping fixture is
a fail-safe design that allows for positive tire holding
in case of a loss of air pressure to the tire transporter.
Benefits:
Handling fixture can be raised or lowered (0 – 6”)
to adjust to a proper axle alignment.
A pneumatic scissors lift keeps fixture properly positioned
during lifting; the operator then can move the tire onto
an axle.
Free access from back side allows for good visibility
and clearance to mount tire onto axle.
All controls are pneumatic rocker switches and located
on back of U-handle.
All controls and valves are easily accessible from back
side.
System air requirements are (60 PSI @ 75 CFM).
Transporter can be easily lifted onto truck by crane
or fork for movement to new location
Air Bearing Platforms Video
Click on the arrow button in the middle of
the player below to watch a short video demonstrating a U-Platform
Air Pallet.
Click on the link below for a larger format, .wmv file, viewable in Windows Media Player.
Series "U" Air
Platforms are low-profile, general purpose, type platforms
sized for loads weighing up to 12,000 lbs. They are equipped
with four air bearings connected by internal pneumatic
plumbing to an on/off valve. Accessories include an operator
handle, guide wheel, and a deadman-type control valve.
They are typically used for easy manual movement of container
and pallet-sized loads at workstations not having lift
truck access or for omni-directional positioning of loads
for machine loading and assembly operations. 
Series "L" and
Series "XL" Air Platforms 
The
tire transporter system consists of an air bearing platform
mounted under a tire handling fixture platform. The air bearings
allow virtually friction-free, omni-directional movement
of heavy loads by manual movement of optional air-motor-powered
steerable drive (0-180 degree rotation). The operator loads
the tire on the platform with an overhead crane or fork truck
and activates a clamping fixture. The clamping fixture is
a fail-safe design that allows for positive tire holding
in case of a loss of air pressure to the tire transporter.