ROLLON's Telescopic Bearings Provide Linear Motion For BAE Systems' New Mine-Protected Vehicles

ROLLON Corporation is proud to announce that its linear bearings have been utilized by BAE Systems in the development of its RG33 series of mine resistant, ambush protected vehicles, also known as MRAPs. The RG33 Series is the latest series of mine-protected vehicles designed by BAE Systems to deliver enhanced blast protection and combat capability for vehicle crews. The vehicles incorporate the latest designs in protecting against improvised explosive devices (IEDs), small arms, heavy machine gun fire and mines.

According to BAE systems, the RG33 Series of vehicles (4x4 and 6x6) features more than 90 percent parts commonality, which provides savings in the areas of acquisition costs, operations, maintenance and program management. This commonality streamlines the production supply chain and allows production lines to cost-effectively deliver a variety of vehicle configurations based upon customer requirements. ROLLON's telescopic linear bearings were among the components used where parts of the vehicles were required to move beyond the mounting structure and carry excessive weight.

Denise Bryson, Program Manager, Heavy Armored Ground Ambulance, at BAE Systems, reports, "We were looking for a material that would help with the loading of casualties which can be extremely heavy by the time human weight and equipment weight are factored in. The conditions that these vehicles are used in are also extreme so its critical that the parts we specify are highly durable and can function without failure in a combat situation."

All of ROLLON's telescopic rail products have 60 HRc hardened races, which allows for heavy capacities and long life. Also, all components are designed for heavy-duty applications - from the hardened bearing balls to the robust stops. Even when placed in environments of extreme shocks and vibrations, ROLLON's slides have proven their durability.

"The new vehicle design and production was accomplished in record time so it was also important to BAE that ROLLON was easy-to-work with and that parts could be delivered to meet our aggressive schedule," adds Bryson.

ROLLON's telescopic linear bearings are made from cold-drawn bearing steel and operate like industrial drawer slides. A pair of rails can repeatedly and continuously extend up to 6.5 feet while carrying a cantilevered load of up to 9,000lbs, while other ROLLON products can carry weights of up to 27,000lbs per slide. In fields where high load capacities, reliability, low deflection, and smoothness of movement are important for a drawer slide-type extension, ROLLON's telescopic linear bearings provide engineers with a ready-made solution.

Says Andrew Cook, General Manager of ROLLON Corporation, "Before we developed telescopic linear bearings many engineers were forced to use homemade solutions or to double or triple up on thicker gauge bent steel drawer slides. Drawer slides did exist and linear bearings, of course, but drawer slides that could be used 24/7 with high loads and good precision had not been developed."

"We are extremely proud that our products are playing a role in the safety of our armed forces. The extreme circumstances and harsh environments that our products are being used in is a great testament to the quality of our engineering and production."