The load capacity for air bearings can vary from 50N to 20kN. Theoretically, the load capacity of an air bearing is simply the input pressure times the surface area. In porous media air bearings the pressure under the bearing is very evenly distributed. However, there is unavoidable leakage of air around the edges of the bearing. As a rule of thumb, the average pressure under the bearing surface is typically 50 percent of the supply pressure. In other words, air bearings are generally about 50 percent efficient. Bearings with more area near their edges, relative to their overall surface area, will be less efficient. Load capacity is determined by the surface area of the bearing, the input pressure, and the bearing’s efficiency. Load Capacity = Surface Area x Input Pressure x Efficiency Flat bearings have the highest load capacity. For typical values see our load capacity examples. Custom bearings can carry over 4500kgs each. Vacuum pre-loaded air bearings and stages also support high loads. Air bushings have more limited capacity. However it is possible to series them to increase load capacity. An appropriate rule of thumb is to size the bearings such that the maximum load the bearing will carry will not result in an air gap less than you are comfortable with (ideally 3 to 5 microns). This value can be determined from our provided lift load curves.