Design and Development of Different Applications of PATB (Porous Aerostatic Thrust Bearing): A Review

Abstract

In several applications demanding precise and ultra-precision movements, porous aerostatic thrust bearings had been employed as a crucial precision engineering component and enabling technology. By acting as a lubricant between the moving part and the stationary part in aerostatic bearings, pressurized air almost completely eliminates friction. Since air acts as the lubricant, oil-based lubricants leave no debris behind. The air prolongs the life of the substances by preventing them from slipping and wearing. The aerostatic type uses graphite as a porous film to disrupt the air uniformly over the surface, or a tiny hole is drilled through the centre of the bearing to let the air circulate and produce a thin layer between the components. With an increased reliance on computational and mathematical methodologies for design and bearing performance optimization, this review paper aims to present the state-of-the-art in aerostatic bearings advancement and research. It also conducts a critical analysis of their future research directions and development trends in the next ten years and beyond. Air bearings are utilized in the production of tools like lathes, CMM, and grinders because they are highly precise in their operation and decrease mistakes and production time. Air bearings are available in a variety of forms and sizes. The assessment of future trends and obstacles in aerostatic bearings investigation, as well as their prospective applications in the precision engineering sectors, concludes the study.