The application discloses a surface throttling type frictionless balance cylinder and a working method, which comprises a front end cover, a cylinder body, a
piston rod, a
piston and a rear end cover; two circumferential grooves are formed on the outer surface of the
piston, a circumferential groove adjacent to the front end cover is a
gas supply groove, a circumferential groove adjacent to the rear end cover is a gas
discharge groove, a gas
discharge hole communicating with the inner cavity of the cylinder body is formed in the gas
discharge groove, an axial
gas supply channel is arranged on the end surface of the piston adjacent to the rear end cover, the gas discharge hole does not communicate with the
gas supply channel, a gas supply hole communicating with the gas supply channel is formed in the gas supply groove, and three circumferential bosses are arranged on the outer surface of the piston so that gas enters the gap between the piston and the cylinder body to form a pressure gas film through surface throttling. The application has the advantages of small occupied space, simple
machining and
assembly, high precision and difficulty in damage, and can be reliably applied to the stable vertical movement of a vertical shaft of an ultra-precision
machine tool.