Plastic bearings perform in white-knuckle ride

Iglidur Z plastic bearings from Igus have been used in the new 'X' roller coaster - the first in the world to operate in four dimensions. Six Flags, California, needed to use a maintenance- and lubrication-free bearing because of the difficulty in accessing the component. Due to the degree of vibration damping, high flexibility was also required for optimal performance. Iglidur Z supports the gear unit from which the vehicle is suspended, as it races through the loops while revolving about its axis at the same time, carrying eight people. Jeff Hudgins, the engineer responsible from Six Flags, said: 'After six months continuous running during the high season, the special bearing had been tested'. 'The results were amazing'. 'There was practically no wear at the bearing or the shaft'. 'Maintenance could be reduced by about 95%; annual costs for spare parts could be reduced by 55% and laboratory costs by about 9%'. In addition the flexibility of the material and its tolerance of alignment errors improved the installation and removal of the bearing. Six Flags won the Gold Manus award, in the 1st North American competition for plastic bearing applications, with this application. In 2004 the first Manus plastic plain bearing design contest was launched in the UK and Republic of Ireland.