The 'Green' Machine
Air bearings cut energy costs, enhance performance
The Power Transmission Feature Article on page 24 of the November/December Design Engineering Magazine
Editor Michael McLeod 

Porous media air bearings and conventional contact bearings are compared, with an eye to their 'environmental' performance. Without contact, porous media air bearings are more efficient and longer lasting. Specific examples of the superior 'green' attributes of porous media air bearings are cited for both rotary and linear applications.

Glass Flotation for PV and FPDs
A Semiconductor International Web Exclusive
A promotional driver published in the September 2009 Issue of Semiconductor International Magazine.

This article by New Way founder and chief technology officer Drew Devitt examines the prevalence of inspection and processing zone glass flotation in the manufacture of large-generation flat-panel displays and PV modules. It demonstratea a new approach -- the use of air conveyors -- for Gen 10 panels that save 75% of the machine weight compared with moving gantries, while exploring several options for controlling the panels in ambient to vacuum environments.

Axis of Rotation Metrology for Improved Gearing
Spindle metrology can help you produce better gears, and it is an excellent tool for diagnosing error sources in the machining process.
Article found on pages 38-48.

Edited by Russ Willcutt, this article by New Way founder and chief technology officer Drew Devitt examines the use of axis of rotation metrology for characterizing spindles, thereby allowing improved gearing. Drawing heavily on the experience of industry giants Jim Bryan, Eric Marsh, and others, content compares synchronous and asynchronous error motions, and their impact on gear manufacturing.

Axis of Rotation Metrology
(Printed with permission of the Bearing Specialists Association after appearing as a BSA "Bearing Brief" in January, 2009. Article found on pages 36-39.

This article by New Way founder and chief technology officer Drew Devitt examines how axis of rotation metrology has developed into a standard for characterizing spindles and understanding machine capabilities. Written from a deterministic viewpoint, it covers the differences between synchronous and asynchronous error motions, and offers strategies for eliminating both. The article is supported with test data and references Jim Bryan, Wolfgang Holzhauer, and other industry notables.

Bigger Role for Radial Air Bearings
From the Motion Control section of the magazine
Article found on pages 44-50.

Edited by Leland Teschler, this article by New Way founder and chief technology officer Drew Devitt examines the advantages of radial air bearings for precision rotary motion applications. The text compares radial air bearings with conventional contact bearings, provides application examples, and offers mounting details. A sidebar covers energy initiative applications.

The Physics of Glass Flotation
from the Japanese edition of Semiconductor International magazine
(originally printed in Japanese - See PDF attachment)

In this article, New Way founder and chief technology officer Drew Devitt delves into the details of non-contact glass handling for the flat panel display and solar industries. He explains the function of different kinds of glass flotation systems and their capabilities. This piece is a primer for any organization considering the application of air bearings in the processing or inspection areas of their fab.

Company Profile
New Way Air Bearings

This company profile features a close look at New Way's Conveyor Air Bearing product line, designed for use in the manufacture or inspection of Flat Panel Display (FPD) or Solar glass. The emphasis is on the physics of glass flotation, and how the company's new C-Series hybrid conveyors combine the best features of its predecessors for a high-performance, lower-cost solution.

Manufacturing Developments at Display Week 2007 Focus on Improving Economics and Expanding Capabilities
from the Information Display Manufacturing section

This article, by Peter Smith, focuses on the most-interesting advances in display manufacturing technology that the author discovered at Display Week 2007 in Long Beach, CA, USA. Yield and capacity are the two key metrics covered in the article, which features: New Way Air bearings, Nakan, Powerlase and KLA Tencor.

Air-Bearings Products Target Flat Panel Displays
from the Design News Trend Watch section

Modular air bearing products from New Way Air Bearing are specifically designed for the glass-handling requirements of Flat Panel Display (FPD) manufacturing, including: Flat panel conveyor air bearings for floating glass in high-speed applications, low airflow applications, and for applications under or near precision processes.

New Way Air Bearings Raises Bar for Non-Contact FPD Glass-Handling
from the Display Week 2006 Show Daily

This piece notes that New Way follows up the launch of its line of non-contact FPD glass handling conveyors at Display Week 2005 in Boston, with the introduction of a clean-dry-coat concept for FPD glass cleaning at Display Week 2006 in San Francisco. It notes that New Way is looking for a development partner for this technology concept.

Consider the "No Touch" Solution
Excerpted from the Design News Feature Article by Lawrence D. Maloney

While still dominant in the semiconductor industry, air bearings are now tackling positioning challenges in applications ranging from food processing to medical. Air bearings may be the right answer in automation settings that demand high precision and low upkeep.

An integral vacuum chamber stage concept reduces the size of vacuum chambers.
from the Micro Magazine Product Technology News - Product Extra! section

The concept, from New Way Air Bearings, shrinks vacuum chamber size to little more than the volume of a semiconductor wafer, decreasing the capital and operating costs of vacuum equipment while improving vacuum system performance, the structural loop, and the metrology system.

Gliding under pressure
from Machine Design's Special Motion Control Supplement

The newest twist on air bearings is a modular version that incorporates a vacuum preload and a porous surface. The result can be a stage that's responsive but super stiff.

"Air" on the side of smoothness

Friction variations have always been the Achilles' heel of precision positioning systems, particularly when trying to initiate or stop motion precisely. Air bearings eliminate static friction and stick-slip that compromise precision.

Air-Lubricated Bearings
from the DesignFax Changing Technology section

Air bearings are not a new technology, but they may be a technology whose time has come. Improvements in air bearing technology and increased availability make them both a practical consideration for broad industrial applications and an easy component for design engineers to incorporate.

The Evolution of Grinding Machine Designs

The evolution of grinding machine architecture was a function of the materials and bearing technology available at the time. A quick review of its history may help predict the future of grinding machine design.