Moving machinery by air-cushion systems

Moving machinery in industrial settings places specific demands on transport technology. If, for example, the machinery is heavy or particularly sensitive and the transport route is narrow or winding,  using  modular air cushion technology is a suitable solution. In such situations, there are  several advantages in comparison to other transport options such as cranes, forklift trucks and heavy-duty castors.

The effort  to move a machine is significantly lower, as a nearly frictionless levitation state is created on a thin, continuous film of air. Loads can thus be positioned with millimetre precision and can be lifted, lowered, rotated and moved without vibration. This guarantees optimum manoeuvrability of the load in the tightest of spaces. Depending on size and weight of the machine, several air cushion modules can be flexibly combined.

SCHOLPP’s air cushions make it easy to transport heavy loads of up to 60 tonnes quickly and flexibly. Transporting machinery using air cushions is a cost-effective, reliable, clean and safe method in specific industrial environments. Our SCHOLPP rigging specialists have many years of experience in setting up and operating modular air cushion systems for the installation and relocation of machinery.

Demanding machine transport tasks are best carried out using specialist equipment. This is one of SCHOLPP’s key strengths. By engaging our services, you can successfully implement your plans for production expansion or refurbishment. We find a safe and cost-effective solution for every loading and transport challenge.

Using our modular air cushions, the machines glide vibration-free to their destination as they are moved into the production area and transported across the production floor. Stainless steel plates, laid without any gaps, serve as the base during transport. Modular air cushion technology offers various advantages over conventional roller or rail-based transport systems:

• Minimized effort: Heavy machinery is easy to move, as an air film creates a virtually frictionless floating state.
• High level of safety: Machines can be raised and lowered without vibration, and rotated and moved smoothly. 
• Total precision: Each machine can be positioned with millimetre precision.
• Easy to operate: Air cushion systems can be put into operation quickly and ensure optimum manoeuvrability of heavy loads in confined spaces.
• Moving safely: Moving heavy loads using air cushions is clean, quiet and protective to the floor.

The modular air cushion technology from SCHOLPP can be used in  a wide range of industries and production environments:

• Highly sensitive production systems: Semiconductor industry, pharma industry, optoelectronic industry
• Cleanrooms and clean environments: chip fabs, food industry, medical device manufacturing
• Heavy equipment: Energy systems (diesel engines, batteries, transformers) and pocessing equipment (heat exchanger, cooling aggregates)

Optimal ground conditions required

Operating air cushions requires almost perfectly flat surface

Best Practice

Tool moving for the semiconductor industry

When project manager Mario König organises a moving project from a chip factory that involves moving sensitive machinery, he often relies on modular air cushion technology. Using a thin film of air, he and his team of fitters move the heaviest of loads into the production buildings with almost no friction.

"We primarily use air cushion transport to move machinery into cleanrooms. We are generally handling highly sensitive equipment and indoor environments that cannot tolerate shocks or contamination. The often tight conditions in semiconductor manufacturing plants further complicate matters", explains Mario König.