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Six Flags Roller Coaster Bearings

Six Flags Roller coaster with maintenance-free bearings

Load cables, signal cables and pneumatic hoses safely guided in the pivoting gate

Sunshine, adrenaline, and family fun: more and more families are flocking to amusement parks, especially during summer. Roller coasters remain a top attraction, like those at Six Flags Parks. To keep rides running smoothly and efficiently, Six Flags relies on iglide® Z plain bearings, which have significantly reduced costs by eliminating maintenance throughout the season. With iglide® Z, there's no need for checks or relubrication of units and shafts, plus the lighter weight design contributes to enhanced performance.

Profile:

What was needed: Alternative to the previously used metal plain bearings in the safety bars
Requirements: High wear resistance, weather/corrosion resistance, resistance to shocks, impacts and heavy loads, lowest possible maintenance
Industry: Amusement Rides
Success for the customer: With plain bearings made of our particularly pressure-resistant material iglide Z, the park operator has received a robust and cost-saving alternative to the metal bearings previously used. He now saves the time and money spent on the frequent warehouse maintenance that was previously required.

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Problem

Six Flags Theme Park, located in California, is home to the "X" roller coaster - the only one of its kind that travels through four dimensions. This creates a unique sensation for riders who sit each side of the ride rack and rotate independently of the ride vehicle.

A special component of the chassis, called the X-Bogie, enables the unique rotation of the seat on the X-Trains. It has four wheels, which travel along the track and are attached to pivot housings responsible for the suspension.

Loads induced on the vehicle components tax both the bearings and lubricants. Space restrictions also make it difficult to lubricate or to perform any regular maintenance. Due to its complex design, the “X”-Bogie requires a special bushing that is both self-lubricating and maintenance-free. It also needs to be highly flexible to achieve the vibration dampening essential for optimal performance.

Solution

iglide® Z plastic bearings were chosen because they possess a larger length and surface area than bronze bushings and also reduce surface pressure and shaft wear. iglide® Z is dry running and maintenance-free.

Six Flags has benefited in many ways from using iglide® Z. After switching out the bronze bushings it had been using, the “X” rollercoaster encountered fewer technical problems and benefited from increased reliability, a longer service life, as well as reduced maintenance costs.

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After six months of continuous operation during the height of the season, the iglide® Z bearing was inspected and the results were amazing. There was virtually no noticeable wear on the bearing or shaft. Its high flexibility and resistance to misalignment improve installation and removal of the bearing and make it less susceptible to damage.