Chains raise the roof on space exploration
A
Rexnord UK product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Feb 19, 2008
Rexnord Laschenkette chains are used in the transmission system controlling the roof of the building housing the when the world's largest optical telescope.
When the world's largest optical telescope, Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), entered its first phase of operation in July 2007 it was the culmination of many years of collaborative work.
Several Spanish and Mexican institutions, University of Florida and numerous design and engineering companies were involved in its design and construction, including Rexnord Kette.
Costing more than Eur 130 million and using the latest precision technology, the La Palma based GTC is designed to enable scientists from around the world to observe and analyse the universe from the island's highest point (Roque de los Muchachos, 2426m).
Every consideration has therefore been made to ensure as near perfect performance as possible to achieve uninterrupted operation, and providing the highest quality images at all times.
Central to achieving these goals is a smooth drive system for manoeuvring the roof above the telescope both vertically and horizontally, without vibration, to permit the accurate functioning of the entire system.
This is where Rexnord chains are employed.
For this project four stands of Laschenkette 64-1 with a pitch of 63.5mm and four stands of Laschenkette 50-1 with a pitch of 50.8mm were supplied by distributor Tansmisioines de Potencia.
Both sets of chain were matched as groups to provide combined balanced maximum chain pulls of 420 and 210kN, respectively.
The new GTC uses advanced adaptive optics technology which means that flexible mirrors aid in correcting light abnormalities to prevent deformation of images.
The telescope is expected to be fully operational by the summer of 2008.
Not what you're looking for? Search the site.
Google Ads
Contact Rexnord UK
Related Stories
- NSK bearings reduce heat-related failure
- Elgoglide bearings support Barcelona bridge
- NSK solves water ingress problem on auger bearings
- Huletts utilises Shell Tellus S 68 on presses
- Seranit switch to Shell Tellus T 46 reduces costs
Articles by product category
- Consultancy and Services (905)
- Machine Building (4,544)
-
Engineering Design Software (6,206)
- Engineering Design Software (12)
- 2D CAD software (201)
- 3D CAD software (1,160)
- FEA and structural analysis software (372)
- Fluid, thermal, noise, vibration software (334)
- Simulation, modelling, validation software (919)
- Rendering, visualisation, styling software (198)
- Materials design and moulding design software (152)
- Process, instrumentation, automation software (260)
- Electrical design software (165)
- Publishing and documentation software (230)
- Maths, charting, statistics, QA software (318)
- Data, document management software (312)
- CAM, CNC, production management software (571)
- File conversion software, data capture (352)
- PLM and collaboration software (650)
-
Drives, Motors and Controls (3,381)
- Drives, Motors and Controls (1)
- Precision Motors and Gears (415)
- Industrial Drives/Controls (1,280)
- Linear Drives and Motors (115)
- Industrial Motors (499)
- Stepper and Servo Drives, Motors, Controls (1,069)
- Small Mechanical Components, Joining, Tools (1,982)
-
Control and Instrumentation (5,045)
- Control and Instrumentation (1)
- Plantwide control (1,330)
- Plant- and Machine-Wide Communications (1,179)
- Smaller-Sized PLCs (388)
- CNC and Motion Controllers (184)
- Mid-range and Large PLCs (202)
- Power Supplies, Uninterruptible Power (563)
- HMIs/Operator Interfaces (295)
- Logic Controllers, Timers and Relays (96)
- Cabling, Conduit, Signal Conditioning (807)
-
Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (5,497)
- Monitoring, Measurement and Quality (1)
- Data acquisition Software and Communications (496)
- Data Acquisition Hardware and PC I/O Boards (473)
- Electrical and Electronic Testing, PAT Equipment (631)
- Form/co-ordinate, optical, vision instruments (722)
- Gauges, Indicators and Instruments (442)
- Data loggers (423)
- Materials testing equipment (418)
- Telecomms/network test equipment, software etc (154)
- Testing and Calibration Services and Information (509)
- Testing, analysing and monitoring equipment (1,228)
-
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Design (4,185)
- Batteries, chargers and circuit protection (558)
- Connectors, Terminals, Busbars, Slip Rings (685)
- Enclosures and Equipment Cooling Fans (710)
- Knobs, Handles and Enclosure Hardware (424)
- PCs and Embedded Systems (804)
- Electrical and Electronic Subassemblies (370)
- Electrical and Electronic Components (634)
-
Materials and Processing (2,975)
- Materials and Processing (5)
- Materials and components (2,224)
- Rapid Prototyping (458)
- Materials processing and testing (288)
-
Engineering Industry News, Resources (6,104)
- Engineering Industry News, Resources (4)
- Engineering Business News, Views (388)
- Engineering Exhibitions, Events (563)
- Engineering Conferences (425)
- Engineering Seminars (401)
- Engineering Industry Developments, Awards (633)
- Engineering Guides, Newsletters (350)
- Engineering Recruitment, Employment (219)
- Engineering Training Courses (437)
- Engineering Education, Resources, Standards (840)
- Engineering Industry Reports, Surveys (597)
- Electronic Resources for Engineers (279)
- Health and Safety Legislation (402)
- Health and Safety Strategy, Risk Assessment (113)
- Health and Safety Consultancy, Software (175)
- Health and Safety Events, Training, News (278)
-
Powertrain Design (3,628)
- Powertrain Design (2)
- Bearings (949)
- Chains and belts (328)
- Gears, brakes, couplings and engines (1,447)
- Hydraulic Components (471)
- Lubricants (430)
-
Capital Equipment (3,399)
- Capital Equipment (1)
- Manufacturing Machinery and Plant Equipment (468)
- Production line blowers and fans (62)
- Compressors and Air Treatment (512)
- Electronics Manufacturing, Tools, Instruments (192)
- Electrical hardware (131)
- Machinery and Production Equipment (1,099)
- Robotics, Handling and Storage (934)
-
Sensors (7,118)
- Sensors (8)
- Accelerometers and Vibration Sensors (431)
- Loadcells, Force Sensors, Torque Sensors (705)
- Pressure sensors (624)
- Flowmeters and Flow Sensors (619)
- Level Sensors and Leak Detectors (528)
- Linear Position Sensors (404)
- Rotary Position, Tilt and Angular Sensors (551)
- Proximity Sensors (706)
- Gas, Chemical, Radiation, Magnetic Sensors (285)
- Humidity and Environmental Sensors (154)
- Temperature sensors (613)
- Vision and Colour Sensors (1,387)
- Barcode Sensors (103)
- Valves, Pumps, Process Hardware (3,640)
