A total of 240 maintenance-free spherical plain bearings supplied by Schaeffler are to play a vital role in supporting a retractable roof for the new Olympic Stadium in Kiev.
The Ukraine's Olympic Stadium is currently undergoing a thorough, comprehensive modernisation programme in preparation for the UEFA Euro 2012 football tournament.
At the core of this modernisation programme is a new retractable, translucent stadium roof, as well as integrated floodlighting systems.
The roof of the Olympic Stadium is spanned with ropes, whose coupling points comprise load-free bearing supports.
All rope coupling points at the edge of the roof and on the masts are accommodated by a total of 240 spherical plain bearings, which are lined with Schaeffler's Elgoglide sliding low-friction layer.
The bearings are dimensioned in such a way that that they can easily support the loads from the roof acting on the bearing positions.
A total of 80 radial spherical plain bearings of type GE160UK-2RS-W3 support the base plates of the roof columns.
The maintenance-free bearings have a 160mm-diameter bore, are sealed on both sides and have a corrosion-resistant steel inner ring.
Arranged in pairs, a further 160 radial spherical plain bearings of type GE140UK-2RS-W8 support the loads from the roof structure itself.
These bearings have a 140mm-diameter bore and are sealed on both sides.
The bearings also have a special inner ring bore that is lined with Elgoglide, enabling the bearings to be mounted more easily in the application.
In addition, the bearings are designed to compensate for any temperature-related (longitudinal) axial expansion.
Elgoglide is a highly wear-resistant sliding layer made from PTFE fabric, which is embedded in synthetic resin and bonded to the outer or inner ring bore.
This low friction, sliding material neither expands when exposed to humidity, nor heat-seals with metal.
Elgoglide is also resistant to most chemical agents and is ideal for use in rotary and linear motion applications.
Elgoglide accommodates loads, transmits them and also replaces the lubrication function.
Relubrication of Elgoglide bearings is therefore not required.
Elgoglide bearings offer high load carrying capacity and long service life, combined with small installation space and low friction, and provide a number of advantages in applications that are characterised by high loads and small swivel angles.
Maintenance-free bearings also minimise downtime and service costs, while eliminating the need and cost of lubricants.
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