Airskates

This latest development
Because of our unique design and method of manufacturing we have controlled air-loss. Regardless of size/capacity, we can use small bore hoses and pipes coupled with a miniature pressure regulator valve fitted direct to the Airskates.

Airskates provide Omni-directional capabilities, meaning that a load can be moved in any direction. We manufacture to custom specification, therefore moving 100s of tonnes using higher multiples of high pressure Airskates is not a problem. Otherwise, we will manufacture custom size/design for your application.
Just contact us.

All that is required to enable Airskates to virtually eliminate friction is a clean dry compressed air supply via a charged air receiver and a smooth level operating surface.

Airskates and load bearing platforms are designed on the hovercraft principle for effortless movement of all types of heavy loads.

• Minimum air consumption (Model AS 55-50 5.6 cfm set off 4). See testing procedure below
• Fast recover of air loss over expansion joints
• Minimum noise
• Light weight aluminium and rugged
• Clearance height required 40 mm (high pressure 65 mm)
• Long lasting airbearings with excellent abrasion, tear and chemical resistance
• Only one trailing pipe for safety and ease of use
• Lift height 20 mm
• Heavy duty platform and turntable versions available
• For extreme weights, can be used in conjunction with battery powered tug units

For the effortless handling of all types of heavy loads including:

• Air conditioning equipment
• Barrels, drums and reels
• Compressors and generators
• Concrete modules
• Containers
• Machinery and equipment
• Prefabricated buildings and cabins
• Transformers and turbines

Airskates are constructed from extruded aluminium profile sections.

Airbearings are manufactured using in-house state of the art radio frequency (RF) welding techniques for greater strength, making them long lasting and maintenance free. They are made from nylon reinforced polyurethane coated fabric with excellent resistance to chemicals, abrasion and tears.

Each set of Airskates incorporates the individual controls necessary to allow regulation of air pressure. As a result there is no cumbersome control box and only one trailing pipe when moving a load, so providing for maximum safety and ease of use.

Each set of Airskates is supplied with a 16m ring-main-hose complete with four connection hoses, quick release fittings and an on / off ball valve.

Low pressure 1.35kg/cm2 max

Model	Capacity tonnes	Skate dimensions mm L x W	Bearing dimensions mm dia	Weight kg	Closed Height mm	Raised Height mm
Lift capacity per set of 4 Air Skates.
AS-45-40-40	5	450 x 400	400	9	40	60
AS-60-55-40	10	600 x 500	550	11	40	60
AS-80-75-40	24	800 x 700	750	21	40	60

High pressure 2.7kg/cm2 max

Model	Capacity tonnes	Skate dimensions mm L x W	Bearing dimensions mm dia	Weight kg	Closed Height mm	Raised Height mm
Lift capacity per set of 4 Air Skates.
AS-45-40-40-HP	10	450 x 400	400	11	40	60
AS-60-55-40-HP	20	600 x 500	550	14	40	60
AS-80-75-40-HP	48	800 x 700	750	26	40	60

"Remember just one trailing hose, no control box required and minimum air consumption"

This latest development. Because of our unique design and method of manufacturing we have controlled air-loss. We can use small bore hoses and pipes coupled with a miniature pressure regulator valve fitted direct to the Airskates. Air consumption (e.g. 5.6 cfm) per set of four AS-60-55-20 @ 6 psi-g, 14 bar-litres minute.

Test procedure: Pre set up
1. Typical concrete factory floor
2. Laid on top of floor two lanes of untearable impermeable reusable barrier paper (available in 900mm wide x 50m long x 0.25mm thick)
3. Steel test bench weighing 3,000 kgs size 3m x 1.5m
4. Four x AS-60-55-20 placed under test bench
5. 16m ¾” hose ring placed around test bench
6. ½” hose connectors from ring main to Airskates made direct to ¼” bsp pressure regulator
7. Individual regulators set to 6 psi-g, i.e. remove push-in plug, insert 4mm tube connected to 100mm diameter pressure gauge, set Airskates, lock off pressure regulator, remove pressure gauge, re plug.

Test procedure as follows:
1. 200 litre air receiver pressurized @100 psi-g
2. Power turned off
3. Airskates under load and set to 6 psi-g
4. Inflated height 25mm
5. Receiver allowed to rundown to 30 psi-g
6. 5 minutes no change in height or set pressure
7. Force required for movement as follows; (on opposite side of drift) from standing start 5kgs to initiate movement, + 3kgs pulling force to continue moving

How do Airskates work (the air bearing)
The Airskates are attached to the Airbearing. The airbearings are manufactured as an outer ring (dough-nut) and inner chamber, where the outer-ring and chamber have independent air supply. The outer-ring has a series of small holes to help eliminate friction. This outer-ring forms a seal with the floor surface and helps prevent air loss from the inner chamber, which in turn allows the air to be compressed. When the air pressure equals load, and with a little more pressure, the load will lift on a cushion of air. Just like a hovercraft – with minimum air loss.

No special training required to use Airskates
Airskates are very easy to use and operate. Naturally, you will need to take in to account the safety regulations of your workplace, plus be aware of compressed air safety and the hazards of not using it correctly. Other than that, it is just a question of applying common sense and general safety awareness in addition to being in control of the load moving operations at all times. Two people can handle and move a load of 6 tonnes with ease and safety.

Airskates load moving systems are truly modular and very versatile. You can add extra Airskates to your system very easily at any given time. Adding an extra set of Airskates is very simple e.g. break in to ring main add an additional tee-piece connector with quick release coupling (with hose if required), connect Airskates and reconnect ring main. If you have a load that is rectangular, one side weighed say 4 tonnes and the other side only weighed two tonnes, just regulate the Airskates accordingly to ensure smooth and balanced floatation takes place. Do not allow load to oscillate, this happens when pressure is too high.

The standard aluminium Airskates should have a clearance height of no more than 5mm from point of contact. If your clearance height is a little too high, just use shims/plate/timber the size of the airskate. Bear in mind the Airskate only needs to lift the load just enough for it to clear the floor surface. If you need to lift the machine to insert Airskates, see our airbag lifting section for a suitable lifting bag. Airlift will be happy to advise you on any aspect of adjusting the Airskates to interface with your loads.


Airbearings may be available to incorporate into your manufactured equipment. Just contact us.

Floor specification
Airskates are designed to be used in factory type environments. Set out below are the ideal operating conditions for moving heavy loads with the minimum of air consumption.

Levelness
The floor should be as level as possible, modern machine trowelled and paper smooth to avoid gravitational drift due to incline.

Undulation
Floor undulation should not exceed plus or minus 3mm when operating at "normal" floor pressures (up to 1kg per cm² or 14.5psi). So a three metre straight edge laid on the floor should not reveal depressions exceeding 6mm. When operating at "high" pressure (2kg per cm²) the figure is reduced to 4mm and when operating at "extra high" pressure (4kg per cm²) the figure is reduced to 2mm.

Steps
Steps, ridges or swirl marks should be avoided, but where this is not possible, they should be faired off with the joints filled and ground smooth and should not exceed 2mm for normal operation.

Texture and porosity
To avoid unnecessary loss of compressed air the area in which the equipment operation is intended should ideally be as smooth as paper, non porous and impervious to compressed air. A thin urethane sealer that soaks into the concrete should be used to seal the floor; alternatively self levelling epoxy coatings can be used to upgrade the texture and porosity.

Temporary or one off movements (eg installation or movement of heavy machinery)
For temporary or one off movements, Tug Units can be used for better control, especially where the incline is severe. A simple and cost effective way of utilising airlift airskates can be achieved by using a re-usable, reinforced, flexible, polyurathane ground sheet or lino sheeting.

Airlift Airskates can be used in conunction with Tug Master Units, with several benefits:

• Using the Tug Master one man is capable of pulling and pushing loads of 5000Kg up to 30,000Kg. It's perfect for use in a wide variety of industries including manufacturing, engineering, automotive, maintenance and all materials handling.
• Pedestrian operated
• Substantially increases productivity
• Eliminates health and safety issues
• Low maintenance
• Sealed to work in adverse conditions where heat and water may be a factor.

Key Features of the Tug Master Units:

• Tug Master can rotate up to 90' either side of the payload, allowing the conveyance to turn on its axis and manoeuvre with ease.
• Secondary electromagnetic braking and emergency reverse
• Couplings are designed to customer's application