About operation
1: Can air cushions operate on any given surface?
For frequent moves, the surface has to comply with floor specifications.
See document Air cushion floor specifications / Spécification des sols.
For one-off moves, simple methods can be used to “improve” flooring.
In a worst case scenario, the surface can be filled with sand, on top of which, a steel plate can be laid. Where damaged floors are concerned, a galvanised plate or a thin, high density polyethylene foil sheet is used. Joints or cracks in the surface can easily be taped up.
2: What is the maximum weight that can be moved on air cushions?
Theoretically speaking, there is no weight limit for air cushions. In practice, the maximum load is limited by the surface available. Sufficient room is required in order to position air cushions. The relationship between pressure and surface is very important.
3: What is the minimum height required under the load in order to position the modules?
Depending on the size of the air cushions, the lift height varies from 6 to 76 mm. For special applications, High-Lift air cushions with increased lifting capacity are available.
4: How does an air cushion transport system operate?
Air cushions are placed under the load depending on the position of the gravity centre and are linked to an air supply system controlled by an operator. Once they lift up, the load can be manipulated accurately and easily because there is almost no friction.
5: What are the advantages of air cushion systems compared to conventional transport systems?
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NO FRICTION: minimal power for moving a load
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EASY TO MANOEUVER: Air cushions move in any direction, easily negotiating tight corners and spaces. They also allow you to position heavy loads more accurately than any other system.
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FAST MOVEMENT: Air cushions carry loads of any size or weight on an air film. Two or three people can do the job, often in a fraction of the time required by other methods.
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LOW INVESTMENT: Air cushions require a substantially lower one-off capital investment, and also have a lower operating cost.
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LOW MAINTENANCE: Air cushions operate on standard factory air. No moving parts = low maintenance.
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ERGONOMICAL: staff sick leave or accidents, e.g. back injuries, are reduced.
6: What is the exact pressure of an air cushion system?
1.75 and 3.5 bars.
7: Is special training required for operating air cushion systems?
No, the system is fairly straightforward and extremely simple. Their ease of use is one of their major advantages.
8: Does the system need to be connected to the air supply continuously?
As air cushions use air to float, the air supply should be continuous.
9: What is the difference between an air cushion transport system and a hovercraft?
A hovercraft operates with far less pressure than an air cushion transport system, i.e. with a mere 0.2 bar. Therefore, the volume required is much larger. The second difference is that a hovercraft does not use a toric envelope, under which air escapes. The air stream is channelled through an external frame to the floor surface.
10 : How much power is required to move a load?
Between 1 and 5 kg per ton of load (on an even floor).
11: How long does an air cushion last?
On an optimum floor surface, an air cushion hardly touches the floor and will therefore hardly wear. For poor floor surfaces, urethane-covered air cushions are available, which will last 5 times longer than the regular neoprene air cushion.
12: Can different types of air cushion be used simultaneously?
Each type of air cushion has its own characteristics i.e. different lift height, air flow rate and air pressure. Therefore, only one type of air cushion is used per system.
13: Are hose reels always required? Can an air tank be used?
Hose reels are almost always necessary. The distance covered with an air tank is fairly limited because air consumption is relatively high. Very large transporters will allow you to work autonomously. A compressor or blower can be mounted on the transporter.
14: What are the advantages of the different Bertin Technologies air cushions?
The four different types of air cushions are called New Generation Air Cushion from the Easy Mov’Air range, Double stage Air Cushion, FL and GL Air Cushions types. They have significantly different features in operation. Each type has its own areas of application where it is superior over the other type of air cushion. In some cases both types of aircushions can be satisfactory.