Noncontact support platform with edge lifting

A table for producing a fluid cushion of a noncontact support platform, the table comprising:

• a table top on which are distributed a plurality of pressure ports that are, each pressure port configured to be connected to a pressure source to cause fluid to flow outward through the pressure port;
• a plurality of vacuum ports that are interspersed with the pressure ports on the table top, each vacuum port configured to be connected to a vacuum source to cause fluid to flow inward through the vacuum port, the outward flow through the pressure ports and the inward flow through the vacuum ports configured to form the fluid cushion to support a workpiece at a nonzero distance from the table;
• and
• a plurality of channels, each channel connecting at least two of the vacuum ports to enable flow of fluid between the connected vacuum ports via the channel, such that when one of the connected vacuum ports is covered by an edge of the workpiece and the other connected vacuum port is not covered by the workpiece, a suction force that is exerted by the connected vacuum ports on the edge is weaker than the suction force that is exerted by the connected vacuum ports on a part of the workpiece where both of the connected vacuum ports are covered.