The Wheel 2.0™ (Why)
The wheel has been used for transportation and load movement for thousands of years, and for good reason; it’s simple, easy to deploy and highly adaptable. But wheels have limitations. While they’re great for moving a few hundred – or even a few thousand – pounds, things quickly become more complicated when loads exceed 5 tons, 50 tons or more.
The air bearing (or “air caster”) is the first real alternative to the wheel to come along in millennia. Conceived in the early ‘60s by researchers at General Motors, air bearings are ideally suited for heavy load movement. Among their many advantages:
- They’re omnidirectionalUnlike wheels, air bearings move with equal ease in any lateral direction, allowing them to easily maneuver around corners or in cramped spaces.
- They’re nearly frictionlessBecause air bearings float on a thin film of air, they’re virtually frictionless, allowing a 1,000-lb. load to be pushed or pulled with only about a pound of force. That’s 10 times more efficient than traditional wheels or casters.
- They’re easier on floorsBecause of their greater surface area, air bearings disperse weight far better than wheels, reducing point loading. And because they literally float a millimeter or two above the ground, they greatly reduce floor wear and tear.
Because they’re frictionless, air bearings reduce wear and tear on floors.
For these and other reasons, many people are calling this unique load movement device “the new wheel” or “the Wheel 2.0™.”
But like wheels, air bearings also have limitations. First, they require a relatively smooth, flat and level floor to operate at optimal efficiency. They also need a reliable supply of compressed air. The advantages offered by air bearings, however, far outweigh these modest limitations.
Are air bearings the right solution for your material handling challenge? Contact Airfloat today to speak with an applications engineer.