Flat Panel Display Manufacturing with New Way Air Bars

Flat Panel Display Manufacturing with New Way Air Bars

All the Benefits of Air Bearings – Now In a Low Profile

New Way Air Bars offer an air bearing solution for flat panel display manufacturing. Through the use of our proven Porous Media Technology™, large panels of glass substrates are conveyed via a thin but stiff layer of air, making no contact with the bearing surface. This patented technology offers a level of precision unmatched by conventional or orifice-based designs.

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New Way® Air Bars


PA-series
Our most fundamental air bar for conveying substrates with our Porous Media Technology™, which floats materials on a uniform cushion of air.


T-series
Adds vacuum to flatten and control the glass during conveyance by sandwiching a single groove of vacuum holes between two rows of our porous media.


H-series
Improves upon the T-series by adding four grooves of vacuum holes. Provides superior flattening of the glass for high-speed conveyance.


Precision Zone
Uses a tighter array of vacuum holes to ensure vacuum pressure and air gaps are uniform across the bar. Ideal for inspecting and analyzing specific areas of interest.

New Way® Air Bars are designed specifically for high-precision manufacturing environments where large glass substrates, such as those used in flat panel displays, need to be conveyed with zero contact in order to prevent damage and/or contamination. Relevant applications include:

Flat Panel Display Manufacturing

Key Benefits / How It Works:
Non-contact, precise conveyance of LCD, OLED, and flexible glass panels, protecting delicate coatings and surfaces.
Why It’s Better:
Porous media outperforms contact rollers and traditional air float systems by minimizing abrasions and ensuring a uniform film of air, reducing contact induced defects.

Semiconductor Production

Key Benefits / How It Works:
Cleanroom-compliant, non-contact handling ideal for fragile silicon wafers, maintaining surface integrity.
Why It’s Better:
Porous media and non contact conveyance is superior to traditional methods that can cause particle contamination or minor surface damage, thus enhancing yield rates in semiconductor manufacturing.

Inspection Systems

Key Benefits / How It Works:
High-precision positioning for defect inspection or metrology, allowing controlled movement without direct contact.
Why It’s Better:
More consistent and less damaging than manual or contact-based positioning systems, delivering superior accuracy and repeatability during inspections.

Cleanroom Conveyance

Key Benefits / How It Works:
ISO Class 1 and 3 compliant, supporting ultra-clean handling in sensitive manufacturing environments.
Why It’s Better:
Zero dynamic components means no risk of spalled bearings or lubricants outgassing into a sterile, cleanroom environment.

Top Questions and Answers

Can New Way Air Bars be used in cleanroom environments?

Yes, they are ISO Class 1 and 3 compliant, making them suitable for cleanroom applications, where contamination control and particle-free handling are critical.

What types of materials can New Way Air Bars handle?

They are designed to convey large, delicate materials like glass substrates, silicon wafers, and similar fragile components that require careful, non-contact handling.

How does Porous Media Technology™ differ from other air floatation systems?

Porous Media Technology™ creates a stiff, uniform air cushion thanks to the entire bearing face acting as the outlet for distributed positive or negative pressure. This stands in contrast to orifice bearings, which are prone to pressure collapse and pneumatic instabilities.

Are New Way Air Bars customizable for different manufacturing needs?

Yes, they offer flexibility with different series (PA, T, H, and Precision Zone) tailored for basic conveyance, added vacuum for control, and specialized applications, making them adaptable to various stages of manufacturing and inspection.

Contact us today for a complimentary consultation