New Way® developed the high speed conveyor air bearing to provide FPD manufacturers with improved non-contact control of their substrates at high manufacturing process speeds, with lower initial set-up costs and reduced operating expenditures. A large vacuum area results in a smaller air gap, providing higher stiffness and improved damping. The large, attractive forces give excellent flattening ability for more reliable glass control. This, combined with the constant low pressure at the leading edge of the glass, prevents it from lifting off the conveyor and ‘sailing’ at high speeds.

As designers have tried to reduce or eliminate damage caused by the substrate contacting the chuck, they have increased the fly height, but the problem remains. That’s because a large air gap acts like an undamped spring, allowing waves to propagate, and increasing the probability of contact with the conveyor, resulting in scratches or glass fracture. Although it might seem counterintuitive, New Way has found that a lower air gap actually reduces the chance for contact, since the stiffness of an air film is inversely proportional to the air gap. Air gaps should be less than 50 microns for the best control of FPD glass. With New Way Porous Media Technology, that smaller air gap significantly reduces the probability of contact with the bearing surface, and the resulting scratches or glass fracture.

In addition to the standard high speed product line (shown), custom fpd conveyor air bearings are also available. Just contact the New Way Sales Department.