Air Bearings Market

Air Bearings Market: Focus Remains on Precision and Energy Efficiency

Industry 4.0 has transformed numerous sectors with greater inclination towards automation, accuracy, and performance improvements. The transition to faster speeds, greater outputs, and larger volumes in automated machinery is prompting the use of technologies such as shock and vibration mitigation. This has strengthened innovations in shock absorbers, air bearings, vibration dampers, and other devices, which run the gamut from faster response-designs to smart technologies.

Precision machining and the use of high-speed equipment have created the demand for next-gen solutions that support consumer requirements for high-level performance, bringing air bearings into focus. Recognizing the potential of the air bearings industry, Transparency Market Research (TMR), in its recent study, sheds light on the extensive application of air bearings, and highlights the key developments made by various competitors in the air bearings market.

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Evolution of the Air Bearings Industry

From early orifice bearings to porous media air bearings, the air bearings industry has undergone notable developments. Previously, motion applications were seamlessly well-addressed by mechanical bearing guidance. However, the need for angular repeatability, precision, and geometric performance shifted end users’ attention towards air bearings. With the use of one of its preloaded mechanisms; and eliminating mechanical contact that prevents friction, hysteresis effects, and wear; the air bearing stage was considered a relatively viable solution. Similar shift of preference was witnessed with rolling-element bearings. From rolling-element bearings being the verified and best-fit technology that served various motion control applications, consumers have shifted to air bearings for their technical benefits, when it comes to meeting requirements such as precision motion and accurate performance.

Air bearings overcome various challenges associated with conventional bearings, which include lubricant handling, friction, and wear. Their distinctive advantages in high-speed applications and precision machining are positioning air bearings on a growth trajectory. Revenue generated by the air bearings market was US$ 7.6 Bn in 2018, and the market is expected to expand at a CAGR of ~ 7% in terms of value throughout the forecast period. The growing use of high-precision tools and spindles in the manufacturing of vehicles has resulted in major demand for air bearings, creating growth opportunities for market players.

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Key Trends Impacting the Air Bearings Market

Developments in Precision Technology to Fuel Demand

Precision is emerging as a hallmark of the new era of industrialization. The advent of precision machining across a number of application sectors, owing to the increasing need for accuracy, have generated demand for effective components that allow seamless operations. These components are becoming the first-choice for manufacturers, as such, bringing air bearings into the limelight. Precision machining tools are crucial in designing and creating tools, machines, and other industry components to provide dynamic stability and accuracy. As air bearings have lower frictional drag, they are used in precision machining tools, as such, making high speed at lower vibrational levels achievable.

Technological Advancements Improve Capabilities

Technological developments act as catalyst for innovations in the air bearings industry. While air bearings help greater throughput for a variety of machines, manufacturers continue to utilize technological advancements to improve the efficacy of air bearings. Air bearings used in various machinery need to be monitored and tested periodically, in an attempt to ensure reliability, consistency, efficiency, and cost effectiveness of the operations. With advancements in the technology of air bearings, future vehicles could be designed with an array of frictionless motion solutions to overcome the challenges in vehicle testing, which is expected to boost global automotive sales.

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Growing Prevalence of Micromachining

Micromachining and nanotechnology play a majorly decisive role in the miniaturization of components, ranging from biomedical applications to sensors and chemical micro-reactors. High performance micromachining centers require extreme control of force and speed. Micromachining equipment manufacturers that require tight control of small incremental movements along with high speeds, low forces, and extreme level resolution and repeatability are recognizing the benefits of air bearing technology that is used to provide zero friction counterbalancing.

Emphasis on Energy and Operational Efficiency

The need for energy and operational efficiency in modern machines continues to be a priority for manufacturers. The low maintenance, silent operations, and low energy consumption of air bearings are garnering the attention of manufacturers. Their contribution towards reduced operational costs, optimum energy consumption, and accuracy allows manufacturers to achieve the desired sustainability.

Air Bearings Market: Competitors’ Winning Strategies

Enlarge Footprint in China

China is cited as a hub of opportunities for air bearings market players. This scope is attributed to the massive consumption of semiconductors in China, on account of the rapid expansion of the smartphone industry. Another aspect of this economy capturing the attention of air bearing manufacturers is the expanding automotive industry, regarding both, production as well as consumption. As air bearings have gained significant applicability in the global automotive industry, growing footprints in China could be an ideal profit-churning strategy.

Meet Precision Requirements across Varied Applications

The unique properties of air bearings aid in delivering ultra-precision motion and positioning, eliminating wear and the need for lubricants, making them ideal for varied applications. Companies operating in the air bearings market emphasize the development of products that meet the precision requirements across a slew of applications. Partnerships and collaborations that support this goal are considered on a large scale, where portfolio expansion remains a primary tactic.

Develop Advanced Products through R&D

Increasing focus on R&D to ensure meeting next-gen consumer needs is another winning imperative. Consumer requirements are changing with the advent of technological developments that create advanced electronics, optical products, and automobiles, which are likely to influence the production of air bearings.

Air Bearings Market: Competitive Overview

Key players operating in the air bearings market implement various policies to survive in the market, as the industry is highly competitive. Counterfeit products possess a major threat to the industry, as established players provide quality air bearings at higher costs. New entrants will face high barriers, as the manufacturing of air bearings requires extreme precision, and customers perceive the established players to be better equipped to meet such requirements. This could be tackled via improvements in the manufacturing process by concentrating efforts towards precision in production. New entrants must focus on accuracy and geometric-precision in their production processes while competing with experienced market players.

APG-Neuros recently announced that it would be Neuros Co. Ltd’s exclusive supplier of high-speed turbo blowers in Latin America, where it would expand its processes and offer new after-market and sales support of the Neuros brand NC series and NX series products.

In April 2019, Air Bearings Ltd. entered into an agreement with Windirs Technology Co., Ltd, which provides repair services for different bearing brands. With this agreement, the former aims to provide repair services for dicing spindles in Taiwan.

In January 2019, Bladon Micro Turbine partnered with GRIDSERVE®, an international operator and provider of critical power infrastructure solutions. With this partnership, Bladon foresees further progress in its efforts to provide ultra-efficient, long-life distributed power to telecom towers across the globe.

Analysts’ Viewpoint of the Air Bearings Landscape

TMR analysts have a positive viewpoint regarding the potential of the air bearings market. Product development and partnerships are some of the main strategies adopted by key players to gain a competitive edge, where the focus remains on addressing precision and energy efficiency requirements. Leading players emphasize technological expertise and high investments in R&D to meet consumer demand. As there are a large number of existing players, new entrants need to establish strong distribution networks to market their products and compete with the existing competition. The challenge of better and improved air bearing variants currently in the market could be battled with a focus on improving the capabilities of their offers. Companies aim to expand their business in the Asia Pacific and European regions to cater to the requirements in countries such as China, India, and many European countries, where the automotive industry continues to expand. Asia Pacific remains a vital geography for future expansion among leading air bearings market players, where collaborations and partnerships are aimed at distribution expansion in the region.