Maintenance-Free Spherical Plain Bearings Support New Retractable Roof at Olympic Stadium in Kiev


A total of 240 maintenance-free spherical plain bearings supplied by the Schaeffler Group are to play a vital role in supporting a new retractable roof for the new 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 1st July 2012.

Since 2008, Kiev has therefore been a hive of construction activity. The Olympic Stadium itself will need to accommodate more than 83,000 spectators for the Finals. At the core of this modernisation programme is a new retractable, translucent stadium roof, as well as integrated floodlighting systems.

The Schaeffler Group is playing a leading role in the stadium roof project. 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.

What is 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 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. In fact, relubrication of the bearings would destroy the carefully matched tribological system.

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, whilst eliminating the need and cost of lubricants.

For more information on Schaeffler's range of Elgoglide® spherical plain bearings, please call the UK Marketing Department on 0121 313 5870 or email info.uk@schaeffler.com

Dean Palmer

Director

SilverBullet PR Ltd

Tel: 01780 753 000

Mobile: 07703 023 771

Email: dean@silverbulletpr.co.uk

www.silverbulletpr.co.uk

Schaeffler (UK) Ltd,

Forge Lane

Minworth

Sutton Coldfield

West Midlands B76 1AP

Tel: 0121 313 5870

Fax: 0121 351 7686

e-mail: info.uk@schaeffler.com

www.schaeffler.co.uk

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