Posted to News on 21st Nov 2010, 12:57
Maintenance-free spherical plain bearings support stadium roof
Schaeffler has supplied 240 maintenance-free spherical plain bearings for a new retractable roof over the Olympic Stadium in Kiev.
Built in 1923, the Ukraine's Olympic Stadium in Kiev has been renovated on several occasions but is currently undergoing a thorough, comprehensive modernisation programme in preparation for the UEFA Euro 2012 football tournament. Co-hosted by Poland and the Ukraine, tournament matches are scheduled to take place in various cities in both host nations. The Final will be staged in Kiev's Olympic Stadium on 1 July 2012.
The Olympic Stadium will need to accommodate more than 83,000 spectators for the Finals. An important element of the modernisation programme is a new retractable, translucent stadium roof. This 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.
A total of 80 GE160UK-2RS-W3 radial spherical plain bearings 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 GE140UK-2RS-W8 radial spherical plain bearings 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.
About Elgoglide
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 suitable for use in rotary and linear motion applications. Elgoglide also needs no relubrication.
For more information on Schaeffler's range of Elgoglide spherical plain bearings, call the UK Marketing Department on +44 (0)121 313 5870 or email [email protected].
