Unique Collaboration Formed to Advance Air-Film Technology

A unique collaboration between the Hovair division of British Turntable and the UK’s newest University, The University of Bolton, has been formed to advance air film technology, a long established method of moving heavy industrial loads by floating them on a thin cushion of compressed air.

The two partners in the deal have forged closed links with each other under the Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme, through which UK academic institutions and industrial companies are increasingly sharing technical knowledge and experience to improve manufacturing and technology practice and advance innovation.

Under the scheme The University has employed a masters graduate mechanical engineer, Craig Wright, to work with British Turntable on integrating the turntable and air bearing technologies research and development programme currently in progress.

Originally dating back to the 1960s, air film technology, which is akin to the well-known Hovercraft principle, has been successfully used to manoeuvre loads as diverse as nuclear flasks, rail vehicles, aero engines, electrical transformers and even warship gun turrets within factories in an easy, safe and precise manner.

The applied physics and fluid mechanics principles required for this technology have been well understood from decades of practical use, but it is felt that modern materials development and the latest computer modelling methods will be able to contribute to design advances, leading to significantly improved performance and wider applications.

Using advanced software packages, Craig Wright, a graduate of Hull University, will therefore work in tandem with British Turntable and the University of Bolton on streamlining the design process, improving lead time from enquiry to proposal and developing ideas for innovative new product applications.

The University of Bolton operates a number of enterprise and research programmes that provide business with cutting edge technologies, including the Knowledge Transfer Partnership scheme, which offers up to 60% funding for research and development.

“The University of Bolton has the capability to pursue very hi-tech development, which we all need nowadays, explains John Entwistle, MD of British Turntable, a 45-year old Bolton based world leader in the field of automotive and product display equipment. “Ten years ago we had few graduate employees, but now we rely upon their skills, particularly in our development of industrial handling equipment.”

Mark Allanson, Director of Enterprise at the University, says, "We've worked with around 3,000 companies to explore new technologies and improve their capabilities over the last few years. That number is set to grow as we invest in the expertise and facilities needed in a modern University to benefit students and the business community. Collaborating with British Turntable in this way is a great example of working together to develop and exchange knowledge that will keep a highly successful business at the cutting edge.”

Air film technology from British Turntable has been used to manoeuvre many diverse loads

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