AeroGo – Harness the Unlimited Power of Air

A Mere 25 PSI Per-Caster Can Increase Modular Factory Output

A thin film of air provides an ultra-low friction, low height and omni-directional alternative to wheels, tracks or rails. The air caster system requires only 25 psi per-caster to work, literally floating factory-built homes or commercial buildings on air, allowing for only two people to move a structure.

SEATTLE, WA - For almost 40 years, AeroGo has been a world leader in the design and manufacture of load moving systems for industry , construction , manufacturing and aerospace . In fact, many of the largest and most respected corporations in the world have discovered AeroGo , even NASA shares complete confidence in this system for moving massive, yet very often, sensitive payloads.

Since 1967, when AeroGo received the rights to patents developed by the Boeing Commercial Airplane Co., their engineers have continued to perfect this relatively simple, though incredibly effective, air caster technology .

AeroGo designs and manufacturers air caster^® products that are used to literally 'float' temporary structures, factory-built homes and commercial buildings on a thin film of nearly frictionless compressed air.

The thin film of air provides an ultra-low friction, low height and omni-directional alternative to wheels, tracks or rails. AeroGo's air caster Load Modules are currently being used by many manufacturers in the modular production industry to move structures, safely and efficiently, through their assembly lines.

This is what Don O. Carlson, the editor and publisher of this magazine, had to say about AeroGo back in '04:

"In the early days of factory fabrication of box-like structures (modular units), there were few ways to move, those heavy weights along production lines. There was much gnashing of teeth over systems indented in the floor; which always gathered wheel stopping chips and rails, which led to inevitable tripping. . . Fortunately, most of those days are gone and there is a system which eliminates all of this-air"

One of the immediate, major advantages of air casters, is the fact that the whole system is capable of operating on the same 90 psi compressor that's used to power a factory's pneumatic tools. Generally only 25-psi per-caster (contingent on the overall load), is required to make the system work. Another huge plus is that two, or a maximum of three people, is all that's needed to push individual modular units exactly where you want them and in any direction you choose."

air casters come in a variety of sizes, fabrics and models to fit virtually any object or weight. Therefore they can be configured and engineered to fit nearly any load-lifting application. AeroGo has launched cargo ships, moved 4,500-ton stadium sections and transported aerospace rocket boosters.

In basic terms, the air caster principle works like this. Prior to inflation, the load is solidly supported on landing-pads. These landing-pads protect the air caster's torus

bag from being crushed or damaged when the load is at rest. When the load is ready to be moved, air is applied to the air caster and the torus bag inflates, creating a seal against the floor surface and raising the load.

When the air pressure within the plenum chamber is sufficient to offset the load's weight, air slowly and evenly escapes between the flexible torus bag and the floor. The load is then floated on a thin, cushion of air - 0.003 inch to 0.005 inch thick.

The virtually zero-friction and omni-directional movement allow the operator to precisely place and align the load in a limited work space. The low profile of the Load Module requires less than 3 inch/ 80 mm of total clearance. During load movement, stress is so evenly distributed, that potentially expensive structural reinforcement is usually not necessary. And, the system won't damage floor surfaces.

Another innovative and handy load moving product to have around a modular building factory is the air pallet System ™. This system utilizes the same air caster principle on a smaller scale.

The air pallet is designed to allow one person to move heavy loads safely and proficiently. The air pallet Systems can replace forklifts, cranes, pallet-jacks and conveyors at a fraction of the cost. Pound-for-pound, you can move loads more cost-effectively as compared to other alternatives. The air pallets also work with standard shop air and there are no moving parts that require regular costly maintenance.

Automated Builder MAY 2006