PECM Issue 22 2016 | Page 17

Dr. Stefan Spindler, a member of Schaeffler’s Executive Board and responsible for the company’s industrial business states: “Our sales team comprises of engineers all over the world, who work with Schaeffler experts from a wide range of disciplines, such as coating engineers and calculation experts, which helps them provide our customers with bearing solutions for even the most challenging of applications.” Matteo Maretto, member of the development team at Cimolai Technology, developer of the mechanism for moving the lock gates, agrees: “The bearings are critical components for the overall Bearings for resource-conserving water cycle Challenging Conditions One important feature of the new Panama describes the special challenges for Canal is its three reservoirs that are located bearing solutions for the Panama Canal: next to each barrage. These ensure a “The slow movement causes a quasi-static during development.” resource-conserving water cycle: several load in the bearings with very high forces.” www.schaeffler.co.uk valves open in a channel below ground to drain the water from a barrage. The channel connects the water-conserving basins and the barrage. Due to the enormous size of the Hyundai Samho valves (up to seven metres), the valves are also designed as gates. The steel guide pulleys for these gates are equipped with Schaeffler bearings. These bearings are chromium-plated, making them particularly resistant to corrosion. Different Schaeffler engineer Francesco Capittini functioning of the locks. They must work under any circumstances, otherwise the entire facility would come to a standstill. Schaeffler provided valuable support to us Despite the harsh conditions and demanding requirements for technology in the expansion of the Panama Canal, Schaeffler was able to develop some bearing solutions based on standard products. The international network of engineers and application specialists also implemented project-specific solutions. variants of Schaeffler’s Durotect coating are used for this application. In addition, the Panama Canal must operate reliably 24/7 due to its significance for world trade. Maintenance intervals are scheduled only once every five years.