Abstract
We have developed Oiles Aerostatic Bearings (OABs) which have porous material that is mixed Cu-Ni based alloy with graphite powder and sintered. Compared with the conventional porous aerostatic bearings in which graphite and advanced ceramics are often used as porous material, OABs have following characteristics. 1) Flow rate [Nl/min] can be varied easier than usual. 2) It is possible to design comparatively various shapes of the bearings. 3) It is easier than usual to handle the bearings when setting because of graphite powder in the bearing surface. 4) Maximum dimensionless static stiffness of OABs shows 0.6-0.7. This paper presents porous material structure of OABs, and these bearings' static and dynamic characteristics.
