Cell interface
Receive the panel
Use the table as a handoff surface beside a panel saw, edgebander or return conveyor.
Doucet Air Table
DOUCET MACHINERIES
Air Table Air-Float Panel Handling Table
Doucet Air Tables support panels on an air cushion to reduce sliding friction during manual handling. Work surfaces can be square, rectangular or irregular, with a built-in air-flotation turbine, nine self-releasing flotation outlets per square foot, 600/3/60 electrical service, and configurations with or without vertical stroke.
air-cushion panel handlingsquare / rectangular / irregular9 flotation outlets / ft²built-in air turbine2" foot-activated stroke option600 / 3 / 60
Handling principle
Panels ride on an air cushion so the operator can reposition them with reduced sliding resistance.
Shape flexibility
Square, rectangular and irregular work surfaces can be matched to the panel mix and cell layout.
Height matching
A vertical-stroke configuration can bridge different working heights between adjacent equipment.
air flotation
custom table geometry
9 outlets / ft²
vertical stroke available
600 / 3 / 60
panel handling
Start with the handling problem
Move broad panels through the cell without dragging their full surface across a fixed table.
Air flotation creates a low-friction handoff surface beside panel-processing and return equipment, reducing the effort required to slide and reposition workpieces.
Handling method
Float the workpiece
A built-in air-flotation turbine supplies the work surface and supports the panel on an air cushion.
Positioning
Reposition manually
The operator aligns, rotates or redirects the workpiece across the air-supported surface as the cell requires.
Height option
Match adjacent heights
The vertical-stroke configuration can help transfer parts between equipment with different working heights.
Application fit
Best fit: panel cells that need a low-friction handoff and positioning surface.
Match the table to the adjacent machine, the panel envelope, the required operator movement and the working-height relationship through the cell.
Strong fit
Edgebander cells
Support panel handoff and repositioning beside the edgebander.
Strong fit
Panel saw outfeed
Create an air-supported surface for handling panels leaving the saw.
Strong fit
Return conveyor endpoint
Receive returned panels onto a low-friction positioning surface.
Height transition
Different working heights
Use the vertical-stroke option when the cell requires a height-adjusted handoff.
Select the table from the cell backwards
Shape, size and lift requirement close against the real panel flow.
The work surface can be configured as square, rectangular or irregular geometry to suit the application.
Define the panel envelope
Minimum/maximum L × W × T, weight, surface and representative panel mix.
Define the cell
Adjacent machine, operator position, transfer direction and available floor space.
Choose the work-surface geometry
Square, rectangular or irregular according to panel and layout requirements.
Close the working height
Determine fixed height versus vertical-stroke configuration.
Close utilities and controls
Confirm 600/3/60 electrical compatibility and the lift-interface requirements where selected.
Handling architecture
Air generation → distributed flotation → manual positioning → machine handoff.
The Air Table supports the workpiece while the operator controls the panel movement through the handoff zone.
Air system
1 — Air generation
A built-in air-flotation turbine supplies the work surface.
Work surface
2 — Surface outlets
Nine self-releasing flotation outlets per square foot distribute the support air.
Handling
3 — Panel positioning
The operator repositions the panel over the low-friction air-supported surface.
Integration
4 — Handoff
The workpiece moves to or from the adjacent processing or return equipment at the configured height.
Flotation surface
Nine self-releasing flotation outlets per square foot support smooth panel movement.
The distributed air support reduces sliding resistance across the work surface, while the phenolic top provides the working face.
Surface architecture
Distributed air support across a phenolic work surface.
The Air Table uses a built-in turbine and nine self-releasing flotation outlets per square foot to create the air cushion used for panel handling.
Outlet density, table geometry and the panel-handling task are separate design inputs; the configured table is matched to the actual cell.
Technical data
Air Table construction and configuration data.
Keep the handling method, surface geometry, lift package and utilities tied to the configured table.
| Field | Air Table value |
|---|---|
| Primary function | Air-cushion panel handling |
| Common interfaces | Edgebander, panel saw, end of return conveyor |
| Work-surface shape | Square, rectangular or irregular |
| Table sizing | Configured to panel and cell requirements |
| Air source | Built-in air-flotation turbine |
| Flotation outlet density | 9 self-releasing outlets per ft² |
| Top material | Phenolic |
| Frame | Steel |
| Control | Push-button control |
| Vertical-stroke configuration | Available with or without vertical stroke |
| Stroke option | 2" foot activation with air cylinder |
| Electrical service | 600 / 3 / 60 |
Custom geometry
Square, rectangular or irregular work surfaces can be built around the cell.
Use the panel mix, operator access and adjacent-machine interfaces to define the final working perimeter.
Application geometry
Build the handoff surface around the real movement path.
Custom geometry can accommodate machine interfaces, operator access and panel repositioning zones without forcing the cell around one fixed table shape.
The application review should include the panel envelope, adjacent-machine heights, transfer directions and clear-access zones.
Vertical-stroke configuration
Bridge differing working heights with the available lift package.
The Air Table can be supplied with or without vertical stroke; the specified foot-activated option provides 2 inches of travel using an air cylinder.
Height matching
Use vertical adjustment where the handoff crosses different pass heights.
The lift package supports panel transfer between adjacent equipment at different working levels while retaining the air-float handling surface.
Confirm the required fixed or lift configuration, working heights and pneumatic availability as part of the cell package.
Construction and utilities
Keep the surface, frame, controls and lift package tied to one configured table.
The core construction data supports a straightforward application review around geometry, working height and site utilities.
Construction
Steel frame
Structural support for the configured Air Table work surface.
Surface
Phenolic top
The phenolic working face carries the flotation outlets used to support the panel.
Electrical
600 / 3 / 60
Electrical service for the Air Table configuration.
Lift package
2" foot-activated stroke
The vertical-stroke option uses an air cylinder for the specified two-inch movement.
Ownership / service planning
Document the air surface, lift package and supplied controls as one machine configuration.
Keep the work-surface geometry and adjacent-machine interfaces recorded with the supplied table so future service and cell changes stay coordinated.
Configuration
Work-surface record
Document the exact table shape, size and adjacent-machine interface.
Ownership
Flotation surface
Keep the outlet surface clean and maintain the air-handling components as part of the table system.
Configuration
Lift package
Record fixed-height versus vertical-stroke configuration and the working-height relationship.
Service
Qualified service
Electrical, turbine and pneumatic work follows the machine documentation and qualified workplace procedures.
Production-cell integration
Use the Air Table as the low-friction handoff between machines.
Table geometry and working height should follow the real panel route through the cell.
Upstream machine
Edgebander, panel saw, return conveyor or another panel-processing station.
Air-supported handoff
The workpiece transitions onto the flotation surface.
Manual repositioning
The operator aligns or redirects the panel across the air-supported surface.
Height match if required
The configured vertical stroke bridges different working heights.
Downstream handoff
The panel moves to the next machine or handling stage.
Business-case framework
Measure the handling effort removed from the cell.
Build the case around the actual panel path, operator movement, surface drag and working-height transitions in the existing process.
Existing state
Panel handling path
Measure pushes, pulls, carries and operator travel around representative panels.
Handling effort
Surface drag
Identify where sliding resistance adds effort or interrupts the handoff sequence.
Ergonomic factor
Height transitions
Document transfers between equipment at different working heights.
Configured case
Table geometry
Model the project around the actual work surface, lift package and cell arrangement.
Application data package
Send the panel envelope and floor layout before the Air Table geometry is frozen.
Those inputs define the work-surface perimeter, working height, lift requirement and machine interfaces.
Workpiece
Panel envelope
Min/max L × W × T, weight, material and surface sensitivity.
Integration
Adjacent equipment
Machine make/model, work/pass heights and transfer directions.
Layout
Operator flow
Loading side, repositioning needs and clear-access zones.
Site data
Utilities / lift
Electrical supply, fixed or lift height and pneumatic availability when the stroke option is selected.
Air Table FAQ
Configuration questions for the panel-handling table.
Use the actual panel mix and cell geometry to close the application.
What does the Doucet Air Table do?
It supports panels on an air cushion to reduce sliding resistance during manual handling and repositioning.
Where is it commonly used?
Edgebanders, panel saws and the end of return conveyors are supported application interfaces.
What table shapes are available?
Square, rectangular and irregular work surfaces.
How is the air cushion distributed?
Nine self-releasing flotation outlets per square foot distribute air across the work surface.
What is the work-surface construction?
The supplied data identifies a phenolic top on a steel frame.
Is vertical adjustment available?
Yes. The Air Table can be configured with or without vertical stroke.
What stroke option is specified?
A 2-inch foot-activated stroke using an air cylinder.
What electrical service is specified?
600/3/60.
Air Table application review
Match the table geometry to your panels and process cell.
Send the panel envelope, adjacent equipment, working heights and desired fixed/lift configuration.