Transportation device having an air-foil bearing

A method for producing an electronic apparatus in a production line, comprising the steps of:

• moving a transportation device into a space formed below the electronic apparatus, said transportation device comprising:
• a base body having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a depression provided on said top surface of said base body;
• lifting means provided on said base body in correspondence to said depression for lifting said electronic apparatus, said lifting means comprising a lift plate for supporting said electronic apparatus thereon and air envelope means supplied with compressed air for causing a dilatation in response thereto, said lift plate being connected to said air envelope means such that the lift plate is lifted upward upon a supply of the compressed air to said air envelope means;
• and air foil bearing means having a top surface and a bottom surface and provided on said base body such that said top surface of the air foil bearing means is located at a level above said bottom surface of said base body, said air foil bearing means being supplied with compressed air for discharging the same from said bottom surface to form an air-foil, said step of moving the transportation device comprising a step of activating said air-foil bearing means;
• lifting said lift plate together with said electronic apparatus by supplying a compressed air to said air envelope means;
• transporting said electronic apparatus from a first station of the production line to a second station of the production line;
• discharging the compressed air supplied to said air envelope means to lower said lift plate together with the electronic apparatus;
• and
• removing said transporting device out from said space.

A production line for producing an electronic apparatus, comprising:

• a floor defined with a plurality of processing stations for processing the electronic apparatus;
• an air supply system provided above said floor along said plurality of processing stations for supplying compressed air;
• a transportation device comprising:
• a base body having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• a depression provided on said top surface of said base body;
• lifting means provided on said base body in correspondence to said depression for lifting said electronic apparatus, said lifting means comprising a lift plate for supporting said electronic apparatus thereon and air envelope means supplied with a compressed air for causing a dilatation in response thereto, said lift plate being connected to said air envelope means such that the lift plate is lifted upward upon a supply of the compressed air to said air envelope means;
• and air foil bearing means having a top surface and a bottom surface and provided on said base body such that said top surface of the air foil bearing means is located at a level above said bottom surface of said base body, said air foil bearing means being supplied with a compressed air for discharging the same from said bottom surface to form an air-foil, said air supply system being connected to said air supply system for receiving the compressed air therefrom.