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Hydraulic A-Frame with maximum freedom of movement
Profile
What was needed:
Plain bearing for the swivelling kinematics of an A-frame
Requirements:
Self-lubricating and maintenance-free plain bearings that are weather-resistant and suitable for high loads
Sector:
Offshore industry
Success for the customer:
Maintenance-free and corrosion-free bearing points, cost-effective, customised plain bearings
Radius of movement of 180°
Ship & Yacht Engineering Ltd. has specialised in the cable and implementation of complex shipbuilding and marine engineering projects for many years. Its founder and CEO, Erik Hofmann, develops everything from ramps to cruise ships for shipbuilding. Whilst working with various shipping companies, he repeatedly became aware of the disadvantages that A-frames had previously entailed.
As a result, he developed an A-frame with maintenance- and lubrication-free swivelling kinematics that enables a movement radius of 180°: the so-called linkage system. In order to keep the bearing points of the kinematics lubrication-free and minimise maintenance, Hofmann relies on iglidur® plain bearings.
Erik Hofmann's innovative A-Frame, which at first glance appears to be like any other, stands in the harbour of Leer in East Frisia. At second glance, however, one crucial thing catches the eye: unlike other hydraulically operated A-frames, this A-frame has no external cylinders. This is precisely the great advantage of Hofmann's development. The lifting system is tilted using the linkage system. The cylinders and the special swivelling kinematics are built into the frame of the A-frame and enable a movement radius of 180°.
Suitable for up to 20 tons of pivot load
The A-Frame from Ship & Yacht Engineering Ltd. has already been approved by the classification society and can lift loads of up to 20 tonnes, depending on the swivel angle. It is now being installed on a research vessel owned by Fugro, the world's leading geodata specialist, where it will be used to lower magnetometers into the water and lift them out again, for example.
To ensure that the swivelling kinematics also function smoothly on the high seas and in harsh weather conditions, Hofmann was looking for self-lubricating, maintenance-free plain bearings for his swivelling kinematics, which had to be cost-effective. He had previously used bronze bushes. However, the weather constantly flushed the grease out of the bearing points, so that new grease had to be constantly pumped in to prevent insufficient lubrication and corrosion, reports the naval architect.
Self-lubricating effect prevents lack of lubrication
Through a recommendation, Hofmann came across igus® GmbH from Cologne, a developer and manufacturer of lubrication-free high-performance plastics. Their bearings made of igutex® TX1 are now used in the swivelling kinematics of the A-Frame. They were specially developed for applications with high loads, minimise maintenance requirements and require no additional lubrication.
"Our plain bearings contain incorporated solid lubricant, which is contained millions of times in chambers in the material. This means that there is always enough lubricant to lubricate the bearing point. This prevents insufficient lubrication from occurring in the first place," explains Uwe Sund, Product Manager for iglidur® heavy-duty bearings. As no additional lubricant is required, there is no need for manual lubrication or an automatic lubrication system.
Click here for the products used
igutex® TX1 plain bearing
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