Air bearings, also known as aerostatic or aaerodynamic bearings, are fluid bearings that utilize a thin film of pressurized gas to provide a low-friction, load-bearing interface between two surfaces. The two surfaces do not touch, therefore avoiding the traditional problems bearings face such as friction, wear, particulates, and lubricant handling. These differ from ball bearings, where the balls are in constant contact with one another and form a solid bridge between the machine elements. Air bearings offer a number of distinct advantages in precision positioning and high speed applications, where they lack backlash and static friction.
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