Monster Ferris Wheel Uses Composite Bearings
Trelleborg Orkot composite bearing materials were specified for bushes and washers on the giant Singapore Flyer observation wheel's main frame support at the wire rope terminations by Bridon Structural Systems because of their long life and proven record as mooring system terminations. Due to surpass the London Eye as the world's tallest Ferris wheel by nearly a third when completed in early 2008, the Singapore Flyer will be 165m high, which is 42 stories up, and 150m in diameter, giving capsule passengers a 45km view across Singapore and into the adjoining countries of Malaysia and Indonesia on a 37 minute ride.
Orkot composite bearing materials are technical fibres impregnated with thermosetting resins, evenly dispersed solid lubricants and further additives, giving the required low coefficient of friction and high load capacity.
They also damp vibration, accommodate shaft misalignment and possess dimensional stability plus good chemical resistance.
Wired like a bike wheel, with the Orkot plain and special bushes and washers at the terminations, the wheel has a revolutionary wheel rim design comprising a slim ladder truss rim that represents a breakthrough in moving away from the conventional triangular truss 'Ferris wheel' configuration.
Each capsule is strung to the wheel's central spindle by a pair of 70m steel cables and a large self-rotating floor stability system keeps cabins horizontal.
Product Model | Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Thickness |
GE60AW bearing | 60 | 150 | 45 |
GE50AW bearing | 50 | 130 | 42.5 |