xiros® in model aircraft in remote sensing

xiros polymer ball bearings meet the high weight requirements in research model aircraft

The model aircraft "Stuttgarter Adler" serves as a remote sensing platform for scientific purposes such as the collection of environmental data. The instrumentation consists of three cameras, a spectrometer and a thermal infrared camera mounted on a pivoting platform. For the bearing of the pivoting device, a very light bearing is required, which was solved via xiros polymer ball bearings.

Profile

What was needed: xiros polymer ball bearing with flange
Requirements: For the bearing of a pivoting device a particularly light bearing is required. It should also be corrosion-free.
Industry: Aerospace, model making, research
Success for the customer: The fixed flange ball bearing compensates for misalignment and the corrosion resistance makes it possible to obtain particularly precise measurement data. In addition, it meets the high weight requirements.

Problem

At the Institute of Space Systems (IRS) the use of a remote-controlled model aircraft as a remote sensing platform has been tested and demonstrated. For this purpose, the model aircraft "Stuttgarter Adler" (Stuttgart Eagle) will be equipped with different payloads to perform scientific missions to determine the "bidirectional reflectance distribution function" (BRDF) and to collect environmental data. The "Stuttgarter Adler" was designed and constructed by students of the faculty of aerospace engineering especially for its task. It differs from the model airplanes used by hobby pilots by the consideration of safety-relevant factors. The design provides for a large fuselage for the instrumentation; the electrical propulsion system is housed in two engine nacelles in the wing unit. With a total weight of 25 kg, the Stuttgarter Adler can carry a payload of approx. 5 kg and achieves a flight time of up to 30 minutes. Flight navigation is carried out by a GPS-supported control system, which allows the aircraft to automatically execute a pre-programmed flight plan. The instrumentation of the Stuttgart Adler consists of three cameras for the visible and near infrared spectral range as well as a spectrometer and a thermal infrared camera. The cameras achieve a ground resolution of up to 10 centimetres in the visible and near infrared spectral range, while a ground resolution of 30 centimetres is achieved in the thermal infrared range. In order to obtain the measurement data, the aircraft will fly orbits over the measurement area and thereby capture photographs from different angles. For this purpose, the payload cameras must be mounted on a pivoting platform in order to point them at the target area at different roll angles. For the bearing of a pivoting device a particularly light bearing is required.

Solution

The pivoting device, designed and manufactured by IRS, implements its movements thanks to xiros fixed flange ball bearings made of plastic with glass balls that meet the heavy weight requirements. The fixed flange ball bearing compensates for misalignments and the corrosion-free property makes it possible to obtain very accurate measurement data.
In addition to their corrosion-free property (when using glass or plastic balls), xiros plastic ball bearings do not require any external lubrication according to DIN 625 and operate extremely quietly. This makes them a cost-effective alternative to metal ball bearings. Made from a mixture of tribo-polymers, the iglidur material plastic components are light, resistant to chemicals and non-magnetic. This ensures safe use in the most diverse areas such as e.g. medicine, the packaging industry, food processing and drive technology. Whereas the polymer for our xiros ball bearings consists of a mixture of basic plastics, solid lubricants, fibres and filaments, the balls are typically made of glass, plastic or stainless steel. The balls are housed in a cage, which can consist of our own xirodur B180 material, polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP) or polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

Overview of xiros ball bearings with flange

Overview of xiros plastic ball bearings

xiros® fixed flange ball bearings in model aircraft

The design provides for a large fuselage for the instrumentation; the electrical propulsion system is housed in two engine nacelles in the wing unit. With a total weight of 25 kg, the Stuttgarter Adler can carry a payload of approx. 5 kg and achieves a flight time of up to 30 minutes. Flight navigation is carried out by a GPS-supported control system, which allows the aircraft to automatically execute a pre-programmed flight plan.

The instrumentation of the Stuttgart Adler consists of three cameras for the visible and near infrared spectral range as well as a spectrometer and a thermal infrared camera. The cameras achieve a ground resolution of up to 10 centimetres in the visible and near infrared spectral range, while a ground resolution of 30 centimetres is achieved in the thermal infrared range.