At this point, ACE shock absorbers were switched on. To calculate the kinetic energy to be absorbed, speeds of 8 m/s and 10 m/s were assumed. With a moving mass of 36 kg, this resulted in support force values of around 38,000 N at 10 m/s and around 25,000 N at 8 m/s. On the basis of this calculated energy, two ACE industrial shock absorbers of type MA4575EUM were used to protect the end positions, each of which can absorb 1,300 Nm per stroke and therefore offers sufficient safety reserves. This applies for many years, as the dampers in ACE's Magnum family are normally at home in automation, handling tasks and rotary modules and are designed for high cycle rates. However, if a change is necessary, it is easy because ACE provides its damping solutions with a wide range of suitable accessories and connection parts.

Start baroptimizedforski jumpers

The ACE shock absorbers dampen the slide of the starting machine

ACE's large selection of DIN-standardized accessories also proved to be an advantage for training on the ski jumps at the Hinterzarten ski club. At this German Olympic training center, it is important to use the ski jumps one after the other and with a safe distance. The take-off length must also always be adapted to the jumpers' abilities and the weather conditions. In order to achieve similar distances, the approach length and the resulting speed at the end of the take-off serve as balancing elements. For this purpose, various take-off gates with four mobile take-off bars are available at the inrun tower in Hinterzarten. During training, these beams are mounted or inserted at different start gates, i.e. for different inrun lengths.

In the starting position, the beam arm is pointing upwards. To start the run-up, the jumper pushes the beam arm down into the counterholder. When the jumper moves off, the released beam arm is returned to the starting position by gas pressure springs. The inrun is thus quickly free again for the next athlete who, for example, wants to start from a starting beam mounted further up.

The ski jumps of the Hinterzarten ski club

This system makes training operations much easier; manual lifting or moving of the beams is no longer necessary. Two GS-22-200-EE-200N industrial gas springs are used for each start bar. Designed with an extension force of 200 N, filled, delivered and installed accordingly, they require hardly any muscle power from the athletes when closing the take-off bars, allowing them to conserve their energy before the jump, which requires a great deal of concentration, precision and speed.