How Do Air Casters Work?

Air Casters are designed to lift and move heavy loads and machinery by floating them on a thin film of air between the air caster and the floor surface. This is what is known as air film technology.

Using air film technology, air casters are energized with compressed air which is supplied to each air caster in the load moving system. As compressed air enters the air caster load module, it flows through a series of air chambers and arrives at the main air bearing diaphragm where it causes the air caster diaphragm to inflate.

When inflation has reached its maximum, excess air is forced out of the diaphragm towards the floor surface. As it reaches the surface of the floor, the air is repelled back towards the air caster and load, thus causing flotation to take place thus rising the load away from the floor surface.

Here is a picture of a typical air caster setup using lightweight aluminum load modules:

Incoming air from source supply is via the valve at the top left of diagram.

With the load in a state of flotation, it is then ready to be floated across the floor surface to its intended destination.

To ensure that the air caster modules will operate as intended, it is essential that you have a good floor surface to work on. The floor surface should ideally be:

• Smooth concrete, or smooth and non-porous material (linoleum, polished hardwood
• Free of cracks, splits, indents and protrusions
• Flat, level and even
• Sealed with strong tape where any minor cracks appear

Click the link to find more information on air caster floor surface specification

Download floor surface requirements PDF

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