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Slewing rings from igus help add lively component to three-metre owls

Later this year, a unique work of art will enrich the vibrant cultural landscape of the US city of Austin in Texas. The interactive sculpture called "Kempelen's Owls" shows two 3 metre tall Virginia owls that are native to Texas. Lubrication- and maintenance-free slewing rings from igus® provide a moment of surprise for visitors

Profile

  • What was needed: PRT slewing ring
  • Requirements: The turntables should be wide enough to allow mechanical cables, components and lighting elements to pass through. They had to withstand high axial and dynamic loads and be maintenance-free despite the weather.
  • Success for the customer: The PRT slewing ring bearings from igus® are resistant to chemicals, vibration damping and have low moisture absorption. They are also very robust and can withstand high load trade show.
Owl with PRT slewing ring bearing

A lubrication- and maintenance-free slewing ring bearing ensures reliable movement of the head even in the most diverse weather conditions. (Source: igus® GmbH)

"The axial and dynamic load range is actually oversized for the weight of the owl's head, but gives us security in case visitors climb on the owl or pull on its head."

Dan Sternof Beyer, Founder and Creative Director of New American Public Art

Problem

The challenge was to find a slewing ring bearing that would fulfil all the requirements of the application. New American Public Art had already used igus® products in previous projects and worked with the team at the US igus® branch in Providence (Rhode Island) to find the best slewing ring for the large owls. "We had very specific requirements for this bearing," explained Sternof Beyer. "It had to be very wide so that the mechanical components and lighting elements could be guided through it. It also had to withstand high axial and dynamic loads so as not to pose a risk to the public and be as maintenance-free as possible despite various weather conditions. These specific quality requirements already ruled out 90 per cent of the bearings available on the market."

Solution

The sliding surface of the igus® slewing ring consists of the high-performance polymer iglidur® J, which is characterised by good chemical resistance, vibration damping and low moisture absorption. The slewing ring can withstand a static axial load of 27,000 newtons and a dynamic axial load of 7,000 newtons trade show. "Thanks to the large outer diameter of 450 millimetres, less support material was required for the sculpture. And the large inner diameter of 430 millimetres made it easy to lay fibre optic cables that make the owl's eyes glow at night," explained Sternof Beyer. "The axial and dynamic load range is actually oversized for the weight of the owl's head, but it gives us security in case visitors climb onto the owl or pull on its head."

Technical drawing of the owl with PRT slewing ring bearing
The two Kempelen's Owls will soon be part of the Austin Artspace. Visitors can use a hidden mechanism to turn the owl head. (Source: igus GmbH)

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