Product category:
Bearings
News Release from: HepcoMotion | Subject: Winkel profile rails and bearings
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 16 March 2000
Tall Ship sails off with bearings from
Winkel
Winkel combined bearings and profile rails are designed to withstand very high loads and are typically used for applications such as heavy duty lifting and materials handling.
This year saw the launch of a very special tall ship 'Tenacious' is one of only two square-rigged sailing vessels which enable those of mixed physical ability to share the challenge of crewing a ship at sea
Both are owned and operated by the Jubilee Sailing Trust whose aim is to promote the integration of physically disabled and able-bodied people through the medium of tall ship sailing.
Together with its sister ship the Lord Nelson, Tenacious will allow the Trust to extend its increasingly popular voyage programme in 2000 and beyond.
Tenacious has been designed and built with the benefit of twenty two years experience in providing for special needs.
When fully fitted in April, it too will have the facilities which allow mixed ability crews to sail on equal terms.
These include an audio compass for those who are visually impaired, electric hoists, handrails and flat, wide decks for wheelchair sailors.
Six wheelchair lifts will provide transport between decks and naturally their components have been chosen for their 'fit and forget' qualities.
Included in the parts list are Winkel profile rails and bearings from Hepco.
In common with the Lord Nelson, Tenacious will spend months at sea, travelling the world.
"It is therefore especially important to us that systems are reliable," explained JST's Project Engineer, David Robins.
"We chose the Winkel system because it is tough and durable.
Of course we looked at other options but they were not as good, not as robust." Winkel combined bearings and profile rails are designed to withstand very high loads and are typically used for applications such as heavy duty lifting and materials handling.
Initially the Winkel components were recommended by Fenner through whom much of the power transmission system was supplied for Tenacious.
The Trust ordered 44m of Winkel rails and 20, 74mm combined radial/axial bearings with re-lubrication facility.
For corrosion resistance the rails were specially galvanised and the bearings nitrided.
Flange plates welded to the bearings completed the specification.
In the resultant lifting mechanism the hydraulic ram which drives the compartment is centrally located between the rails.
A prototype lift has already been built at the JST shipyard in Southampton and after successful trails, a further five are now being constructed.
"Although not arduous by Winkel standards, our application requires high specification components," concludes David Robins.
"We are fitting Winkel because we simply don't want any failures at sea." The launching of Tenacious will certainly help the Jubilee Sailing Trust meet the ever- increasing demand for its unique programme.
The Tenacious project cost ?14 million, ?6.5 million of which was provided through the National Lottery Sports Fund.
The remainder was raised through the efforts of volunteers and the generosity of supporters.
These however, are just the building costs.
Organising voyages also demands substantial financial resources.
The Trust is currently organising more than a hundred holidays including the Tall Ships 2000 Voyage Programme which circumnavigates the North Atlantic calling at Cadiz, Bermuda, New York, Boston, Halifax and Amsterdam.
Minimising overheads is therefore crucial to the Trust's economic efficiency and Hepco Winkel is playing its part in that regard. Request a free brochure from HepcoMotion ...
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