A contact-free transport system based on near-field acoustic levitation and negative pressure absorption effect: Numerical simulation, modeling, and experimental investigation

When precision materials or components are moved or transported, traditional contact transport methods inevitably lead to some trouble such as wear, scarification, pollution and stress concentration. To solve these problems, a novel contact-free transport system based on Near-field Acoustic Levitation (NFAL) effect and Negative Pressure Absorption (NPA) technology is proposed. As the core component of transport system, the structure of object stage is presented and fabricated. Its working principle is revealed and its service behavior is investigated by theoretical, simulation and experimental methods. The load-carrying process and centripetal restoring process of the contact-free transport system is analyzed by mechanical models. To verify the levitation and centripetal restoring performance of the contact-free transport system under different conditions, a testing platform was built. In addition, the influence of dynamic parameters on the levitating and restoring performance of the transport system is studied experimentally, which will contribute to the guidance on design and optimization of dynamic parameters. The investigation on this contact-free transport method can provide a technical reference for the transport of disc-shaped components with an indication of accuracy requirements.