Air Bearings: Introduction

[@AppliedScience]

I'm really looking forward to this series. Thanks for the shout-out!

[@LaneyMachineTech]

Thanks for your dedication to backyard super science ;)

[@Zaratustrov]

We all looking forward to this series and your channel also! And it is in my top 10. )

[@610Atown]

@@LaneyMachineTech Nice Video, it's well put together. Ouch on the reference to New Way being expensive for what the bearings are. We put a lot of time and effort in designing effective solutions for our customers. The precision repeatability from bearing to bearing is very critical in many of our OEM customer applications. If we were manufacturing a non precise air hockey puck, I would agree with your statement. The video shows you manufacturing a flat round bearing , our 65mm puck is $215.00 for a one-off. At larger quantities they obviously become more cost effective. Is $215 expensive for the amount of work you just put into the series of videos? Again, love the video. Great explanation of air bearings. I just take offense to the expensive comment because I see first hand the design, processes, manufacturing and testing that goes into making porous media air bearings.

[@sto2779]

mr. applied science guy is everywhere...

[@kuglepen64]

That whole Dan Gelbart series of videos is gold gold gold.

[@taxicamel]

Perhaps, .....for those that have never been in any manufacturing environment. Otherwise, very impractical in many cases. The lathe, as one example, very limited use and extremely impractical. Air bearings as NOT suitable for much loading. This is very much a finishing machine. When you have the money Dan has, you can easily have three or four or more lathes ....each for a different application/need.

[@seamus774]

Former student checking in. Hey Adam I'd love to see a video about how to make the thrust bearing. You're definitely right about how satisfying it is to spin. Watching the video makes me miss your class more then a bit.

[@Made2hack]

Can't wait for the followup. Dan Gelbart was what caused me to go on a, so far 3year old rabbit hole!!!

[@firzt0]

BROO I MISSED YOUR UPLOADS! glad to see these again!

[@ROBRENZ]

Excellent Adam and thanks for the shout out! ATB, Robin

[@neetones]

Yes! Please make a video on how you made that aerodynamic bearing demo!

[@MrGofarkyself]

Seconded!

[@eddietowers5595]

This was the most in depth, informative videos, on this subject, for this channel. I'm tuning in for the lathe/air bearing projects.

[@joshuapetrey7435]

Awesome, nice to see you back. Thought you were gone forever. You do amazing work keep it up.

[@williamperuscello9907]

Same here! such a relief!

[@OakwoodMachineWorks]

I'd love to see how you made that little air thrust bearing so I can make one for myself! That's cool.

[@rodneyjaygarrett]

I would like to watch a video on how you made your dynamic bearing spinner

[@Trident_Euclid]

They looks like the self-aligning kingsbury bearings. They are extremely phenomenal for axial loads. The US marine used them on the propellers shafts since the 2nd WW.

[@ottomakers]

Some of the best programming on the tube. I have learned and enjoyed so much from all your vids, nice to see some more. Thanks

[@heycoreytoo]

dOOD! The Machine Tech Video Blog has some of the best instructional videos on the interwebs (where machining and such is concerned) ... and one of the best teachers I've ever had! Glad to see your Video Blog is still going!

[@miningbruno]

Adam is still alive! Whatever happened to those "grinding lathe tools" series (it had only 2-3 parts released, out of 5)?

[@LaneyMachineTech]

I decided to drop the video series for a couple reasons: 1) I originally started the series to help students with the tool grinding project which is part of the curriculum in my machine technology classes. The first two videos had an enormously positive impact on student success and basically accomplished the desired result. I thought the time I would spend making the rest of the videos in the series would have had a relatively small return on investment. 2) The videos were not very popular on KZbin. I attribute this to the large number of competing videos on tool grinding which already exist. Many of them are good and some of them are superb. Maybe, if there's a sufficient revival of interest in the video series, I'll go back and complete the other videos. But I think my time will be better spent on other projects. I apologize to folks who were waiting for the rest of the series! - Adam

[@captainfantastic1641]

@@LaneyMachineTech yes those videos were superb but yours were outstanding...

[@Ottmar555]

@@LaneyMachineTech What are your plans for future videos?

[@LaneyMachineTech]

Ottmar555 Well, I think I will at least finish this air bearing series and hopefully keep the ultra high precision lathe as an ongoing project. There are a lot of fun topics to discuss in the realm of precision machine design, like rigid body kinematics as it applies to the design of machine tool guideways. I have some project-based videos I'm working on which are intended for new machine technology students and cover the basics of machine tool operation (conventional mill and lathe) and inspecting GD&T controls. I also have some side projects which I think people might enjoy, including making the aerodynamic thrust bearing I demo'd in this video, making cheap DIY monochromatic light sources for interferometry, more on steel metallurgy and metallography using a light microscope, building inexpensive Arduino-based metalcutting CNC machines, building and using a dynamic balancing machine with low-cost MEMS accelerometers, and the properties of superconducting materials. I also don't want to abandon the industrial maintenance topics and I would like to make videos on mechanical seals, hydraulics for pumping and water distribution systems, lubrication, etc. How much of this will I actually be able to do? I don't know. I guess it all depends on my time constraints and the interest out there in KZbin land.

[@BalajiSankar]

@@LaneyMachineTech Thank you. You are doing amazing work.

[@DeDeNoM]

Recently i saw all those videos you mentioned here and was fascinated with air bearings. Looking forward to see your progress

[@arabiccola]

Very happy to see you're still on it, thought you stopped making content and was about to leave a sarcastic comment on each one of your older videos to encourage you to have a come back. Yes there are a lot of us and we are wandering around looking for quality content. That older dude's micrometer-accurate lathe and its air-bearing demonstration is a jewel.

[@ralliegh2923]

I am so glad you are back. I really enjoy your videos!

[@alexv.d.h.7331]

I'm interested in a video about the spinner. Also glad to have you back

[@danielrobertson4349]

Yes! I'd love to see a video on the making and function of that air bearing!

[@HerrJordel]

Lol I saw dan gelbarts video back when I was like 17 and was like WOW!machining is so simple!

[@cylosgarage]

i have never been more excited for a video series

[@BillyNoMate]

This guy makes engineering interesting to even non engineers. Please don't stop!

[@jovinJO-e9i]

I am looking forward to more of your videos!!! Please do not stop.

[@bob2161]

I just discovered your channel. I'm not a machinist, but I'm a huge fan of close tolerances, and high precision in general. I guess I'm just a tech nerd/geek. You're talking my language. You've got a new sub.

[@Oavairbearing]

We're really excited to see your handmade design and the testing video! Let us know if you would like an air bearing to compare your handmade air bearing too. We always love supporting innovation!

[@LaneyMachineTech]

@OAV ® Air Bearing Thanks for the support! I want to say that I really appreciate all the design info, performance data, models and prints you provide on your website. I would be grateful for a bearing to which I can compare my shop-made version. My initial design is a simple flat round bearing with a 1" diameter bearing surface. Would you be willing to send over one of your 25mm models for comparison? How can I get a hold of you?

[@KaziFaysal]

Good to see you man. Hope other videos will come soon. Anyway, thanks for introducing Mr. Gelbart!

[@WobblycogsUk]

Great to see you back and I think you read my mind with this project. I watch the Dan Gelbart video a few weeks ago and thought it would be great to see a series on how it was made. Can't wait for the next parts.

[@TheMuzShop]

Wow !!! Super interesting Adam.Can’t wait for the upcoming videos. 👍👍

[@tiberiu_nicolae]

It's rare that I go watch a video and come back but oh boy was that thing impressive. I came back to hear what you had to say about it

[@mvadu]

Hi Adam, relatively new subscriber here..when i subscribed looking at your upload history i was almost certain "never gonna see a notification from this channel".. Thanks for proving me wrong..

[@BurtonsAttic]

I watched Dan Gelbart's videos before and just recently watched this one again. Your right he makes it seem like it's super easy. Glue it up, eBay some parts and write some custom code to make it run. Too easy right? Look forward to this series.

[@anarchangel7]

I am so glad this was recommended to me. I am super excited to see what you come up with. Ever since I saw Ben's video these were things I wanted to know.

[@Molb0rg]

nice nice - very promising - a good start and you highlight exactly the points to be mention

[@LanceMcElmurry]

Has anyone ever told you that you look similar to Michael Keaton, nice video. I first saw you on "Air Bearing Anodizing" then you said look at "Air Bearing Machining", so I did. Starting watching "Air Bearing Machining" and you said to watch "Air Bearing Introduction", go ahead, do it, so I did. You totally got me.

[@LaneyMachineTech]

That's how I get you. You're stuck in the vortex now.

[@TheCalvinSkinner]

I'm so glad you referenced that video. Cool stuff

[@jamieclarke321]

What a combination of videos to mention. Dan gilbert, oxtools, robrenz and applied science. I have never been so well prepared for a youtube series.

[@LousyBlowfish]

You're my hero for taking this on

[@Sanny987]

So happy this channel is still active!

[@zeeshanbashir7428]

so excited that you are finally back with new videos =D

[@Encyclopediaofbrilliantshoot]

Man you need to become a full time KZbinr, if you’re not already are . You’re simply super Awesome.

[@captcarlos]

Instant subscriber! And I love Dan Gelbart's work/style/enthusiasm for ... Life I guess. I'm thinking you would be an awesome teacher. Anyways, looking forward to more about air bearings and a practical, diy protect!

[@johnharding9936]

I rarely comment on videos, but this is fantastic. I'm looking forward to seeing more. Kudos

[@keithviolette5870]

Great series! Years ago I had worked at Precitech, ABTech and for a while Dover. All three make air bearings. I have some air bearings left over (they were getting tossed) and I have been meaning to assemble them into a little lathe for years. Finding the time is always the issue. I'll certainly be following along with this new series of videos! Keep up the great work!

[@seeigecannon]

I'm working on making an air bearing grinding wheel balancer for my surface grinder. Parts arrived yesterday, so it should be a fun weekend.

[@petervesborg]

Can't wait to see the rest if this series.

[@curtlezumi]

Wow, thanks so much and curses! You’ve added a dozen new projects to my backlog. Or maybe I should say ‘revived long abandoned dream projects’

[@flantc]

Super excited about this series!

[@MultiKokonutz]

Nice to see a new video! Your commitment to quality is amazing

[@ethanmye-rs]

You make excellent videos -- please, keep making them!

[@konobikundude]

I missed Dan speaking at our local hackspace a few years ago... but I hear he was rather encouraging in just trying it out.

[@stevengehm1287]

Gelbart is an amazing find!

[@cvdh876]

First time watching, very interesting and entertaining. I'm going to watch them all. Thanks.

[@Spark-Hole]

Well done Sir!.... Thanks for all researches you have done for us.

[@MarcAntoine01]

FUCK YES ! SO HAPPY TO SEE YOU BAKC HERE ! Cheers from France

[@BorgarValgeirsson]

This is fantastic, Im really looking forward to this journey. Thanks for sharing.

[@sto2779]

u just saved me 2 weeks of blind research, excellent intro and explanation of the complex air bearing subject. i would pay for such diy how to build professional tutorials on udemy.com

[@Texicles]

Seeing some of the recent youtuber discussions of air bearings, I immediately thought about the Dan Gelbart machine. Inexpensive ways and shop-made bearings get us closer to this being a project theoretically possible for dedicated home shop guys, but there's one huge sticking point and I'm hoping to see you (or someone) address this challenge. Referencing the ways. Even if you buy fully finished granite parallels, I can't think of a way to ensure the whole assembly is coplanar and square without a surface plate larger than the machine you intend to build. A way to do this that doesn't involve the money and space required for a giant surface plate is the real technical challenge of a project like this

[@DMSparky]

Your back! One of my favourite youtubers!

[@nicholasgrippo1754]

Your videos are awesome and I look forward to your future uploads.

[@pierseari]

bro, your explanation is great, hope for more video

[@benwilms3942]

Cool. I'm hooked. Machining Apprentice from Australia.

[@josewillian2849]

2023 and i still want to know how you made that thrust bearing

[@ODSYViper]

Very cool, look forward to seeing more.

[@vitorbortolin6810]

Please make a separated video for the aerodynamic bearing !

[@EDUTAMARIU]

Wow so excited for this! Amazing research work and edit, you are the man, just subscribed!

[@сашапашп]

Awesome and so complicated and so enlighting progect for all technical youtube!

[@PiotrSarnacki]

That sounds so awesome. One of my interests is achieving a very high accuracy on a limited budget. That's why I recently learned scraping and I'd like to experiment with building some stuff that incorporates scraping in the process - the beauty of it is that after machining on a relatively decent machine you literally need only hand tools to make a very flat plane on your surfaces. But cast iron and scraping can get you only so far. I'm still not done with almost any of my projects and plans, but I'm pretty sure that when I go more into the precision land I will want to look at air bairings. So thanks for sharing your work on this!

[@raultorresgomez9337]

I have been waiting for one of your videos for so long! glad you are back!

[@apfyts]

I'd like to see a video on the aerodynamic bearing you made. Thanks very much.

[@billiondollardan]

Sweet! Thanks for putting up another video

[@sdttnkara]

You should upload videos more frequently. Thanks for the video.

[@Scoobyvroom]

I used to work for the company Professional Instruments Company. I made and balanced alot of spindles, air pads, and custom bearings. Let me know if you have any questions. I will say that one of the patents is the groove compensated airbearings. Their idea of precision is unfathomable to most. I ground parts that where 36" long and hollow for Zeiss CMMs. With a tolerance of cyclindricity of .00005. That means run-out no more the 50 millonths, and size within 50 millionths. They do amazing stuff.

[@Astjaeger]

subscribed! I saw dan gelberts video years ago really looking forward to you making a coll machine

[@cantsolvesudokus]

Please don’t stop your KZbin channel. You had me really worried

[@kennethlerman9664]

Thanks for the great video. That Oak Ridge paper is worth the price of admission. (Well, it would be it there were a price.) It tells you everything you need to design and construct your own spindle. Their six inch diameter (with 12 inch bearings) can carry a load of 500 pounds. It might be interesting to build lathe with a two or three inch spindle. Ken

[@JohnGrimsmo]

Epic! This series has me excited. Subbed.

[@simranjothunjan5075]

Very nicely explained..hats off ..greeting from india

[@JlerchTampa]

Your series is perfect timing! I recently picked up a nearly free Brown and Sharpe CMM with no electronics and all the hoses rotted off. After spending way too long researching the 'right' air line hoses and just using super cheap vinyl hose form the hardware store I've got the air bearing working again, now I just need a use for it. Turning it back into a DIY CMM seems obvious, adding a laser and a 3d printer extruder also seems logical, but adding a small spindle seems like a great / bad idea that I'm considering.

[@LaneyMachineTech]

You should make a video about it! I'd totally watch a CMM-to-Machine Tool conversion video. (Was it a Microval?)

[@rodneyjaygarrett]

It would be cool for you to make a DIY air bearing lathe and take us with you. I love your videos.

[@JustinVodden]

glad to see another video

[@lewisl5985]

Awesome i was going to attempt building a machine like Dan Gelbart's , im eagerly waiting to see what you come up with , Great video by the way

[@stalinbeltran4955]

Coordinate Measuring Machines?? I just learned something new today. Thanks!

[@wastingtimeonthenet]

Yay. He’s back.

[@tristantruebody9793]

Thank you for making a new video its been too long!

[@iliya-malecki]

oooh nice! such a high quality vid, just found your channel - subscribed immediately

[@stefanguiton]

Excellent work

[@JOELwindows7]

This is your daily dose of Recommendation Air bearing

[@mastermoarman]

Cool video looking foward to learning more. Future video idea. How do 4th and 5th axis reunions reduce backlash.

[@ifell3]

Yes was the applied science air bearing video I recently watched, this should be good!!

[@gleambrite2679]

So many technology aspects to consider. I understand the concepts. There are many materials to consider. Buffing and polishing of granite. Highly polished surface areas with perfect alignment. Great concepts, though. Somebody has to pay for all the R&D. Like everything else hopefully manufacturing will become common place, and bearings will become affordable.

[@jamesolivier3192]

yes please do a video on your self made aerodynamic bearing!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@laxpors]

Awesome explanation!

[@charlescondy2175]

So siiiiiick. Thou ask and thou shall receive

[@handdancin]

this is a great project. if you run out of ideas, do something on speed reducers like helical bevels and cycloidal reducers. torque is cool

[@Q8Police777]

YOURE BACK

[@aaronmattia8998]

Interest in a thrust bearing air bearing DIY video!

[@genixia]

I've been thinking about these same challenges ever since I saw that Dan Gelbert video a couple of years back. "It turns out that you can buy quite economically, granite parallels...", turned out to prove that his definition of economics is slightly different to mine. LOL. 36"x4"x2" 4-face granite parallels are difficult to even find. 24"x4"x2" will cost you about $1000 a pair minimum, but I don't think they'd be long enough. That doesn't even include the larger support beams, but fortunately they shouldn't need to be so accurate. I've also looked at those narrow surface plates as a potential solution. The challenge isn't in lapping the other faces flat though - the challenge is lapping two of them parallel and flat. You actually only need two perpendicular faces straight and flat - the top surface and the outer edges. You' could run the tailstock on the outer edges too though. The inner edges wouldn't need to be finished, although assembly would be more difficult. With the inner edges finished and parallel you could use a matched pair of blocks to set their position during assembly. I think the 2 most likely options are - find 2 face parallels of a good length (withthe narrow edges finished), and lap one of the wide faces flat. It would not need to be parallel to its opposite face; or to use those narrow surface plates and work on the edges. One of the biggest challenges with either approach is measurement. In theory, with a 3-plate method, measurement wouldn't be needed to attain flatness of a single face - good technique and time should be enough. I don't however know of a method of attaining parallelism to single- or sub- micron tolerances without access to some specialized gear. A tenths indicator just isn't going to work here. I might be building a laser interferometry system first. LOL. There is one approach that might work, starting with one good face on two narrow surface plates. Lap the 4 edges together so you end up with 3 flat faces on each. The narrow faces of each plate are not guaranteed to be parallel. Make an adjustable honing saddle with air bearings that run the top and one narrow face of a plate. On the other narrow edge runs a diamond lap. It needs to be adjustable so that it can be tightened inwards. Run it back and forth along the plate, carefully tightening the lap, until the resistance is felt evenly along its length. Repeat on the other plate. Now you have 2 plates each with 2 flat and parallel narrow faces, and a single flat wide face. I wonder how much the squareness of those 3 finished faces matters. That would be difficult to control. I don't think it matters too much though, as long as the air bearing mountings are able to compensate. Kinetic mounting?

[@faresahmed8067]

This is the best damn channel I've ever seen. I just saw you man and hope to follow you and see all of your stuff but you don't have Linkedin or Facebook and I saw your interview on this site

[@chuckphilpot7756]

So air bearings would suck for rigidity would they not? I work with Swiss screw machines and we use a guide bushing with oil. Air compresses, oil does not.

[@alaretse]

Excellent point. Precision air bearings require preload. This is done in three different ways: 1 -opposed bearings the force from one bearing preloads the other. 2-magnetic preload 3-vacuum preload. Preload raises the natural frequency of the system and improves stiffness. Without preload you just making an air hockey table.

[@QwertyCanada]

You are back!