Multiscale Modelling and Analysis for Design and Development of a High-Precision Aerostatic Bearing Slideway and Its Digital Twin

• Main Authors: Ning Gou, Kai Cheng, Dehong Huo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Machines
• Subjects: multiscale modelling; aerostatic bearing slideway; air bearing design; digital twin; Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation; direct drive
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/9/5/85

Aerostatic bearing slideways have been increasingly applied in the precision engineering industry and other high-tech sectors over the last two decades or so, due to their considerable advantages over mechanical slideways in terms of high motion accuracy, high speeds, low friction, and environment-friendly operations. However, new challenges in air bearings design and analysis have been occurring and often imposed along the journeys. An industrial-feasible approach for the design and development of aerostatic bearing slideways as standard engineering products is essential and much needed particularly for addressing their rapid demands in diverse precision engineering sectors, and better applications and services in a continuous sustainable manner. This paper presents the multiscale modelling and analysis-based approach for design and development of the aerostatic bearing slideways and its digital twin. The multiscale modelling and analysis and the associated simulation development can be the kernel of the digital twin, which cover the mechanical design, direct drive and control, dynamics tuning of the slideway, and their entire mechatronic system integration. Using this approach and implementation, the performance of an aerostatic bearing slideway can be predicted and assessed in the process. The implementation perspectives for the sideway digital twin are presented and discussed in steps. The digital simulations and digital twin system can be fundamentally important for continuously improving the design and development of aerostatic bearing slideways, and their applications and services in the context of industry 4.0 and beyond.