Contactless transport system
Vacuum technology
The Aventics non-contact transport system NCT moves workpieces on an air cushion without mechanical contact with the surface. The range includes the NCT-AL series in aluminium (widths 20, 30, 40, 60, 100 mm) and the NCT-PK series in PEEK plastic (widths 20, 30, 40, 60 mm). The air nozzles generate uniform positive pressure beneath the workpiece, which floats and is transported in the conveying direction with low force. Both series are supplied under Aventics part numbers R412010372-R412010640 (aluminium) and R412014866-R412014869 (PEEK).
| Criterion | NCT-AL (Aluminium) | NCT-PK (PEEK) |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Anodized aluminium | PEEK (chemically resistant, FDA-compliant) |
| Widths | 20, 30, 40, 60, 100 mm | 20, 30, 40, 60 mm |
| Part numbers | R412010372-R412010640 | R412014866-R412014869 |
| Typical use | Industrial environment, metal parts, PCBs | Cleanroom, semiconductors, sensitive surfaces |
| Characteristic | Easy to machine, cost-effective | Chemical resistance, particle minimization |
The NCT system operates with compressed air that exits downward through precisely manufactured nozzle rows, building a load-bearing air cushion. The workpiece floats on this cushion with no contact with guide rails or conveyor belts. For directional conveying, the airflow is angled slightly. The width of the NCT module is matched to the workpiece size; multiple modules can be arranged in parallel. Compressed air consumption depends on the selected width, system pressure, and number of modules.
Typical applications: Non-contact transport of semiconductor wafers and display glass in the semiconductor industry (NCT-PK/PEEK), conveying of double-sided coated PCBs without surface contact in electronics assembly, transport of solar cells and thin-film modules, gentle conveying of freshly printed or lacquered surfaces, and cleanroom transport lines for miniaturized components.