Slip Ring Function

Slip rings are also referred to as rotary joints or electric rotary joints, they are small, compact devices making them suitable for a wide range of applications where space is restricted. They are also often selected because they are a good solution to avoid cable twisting.

How Does a Slip Ring Work?

A slip ring has input and output wires. To achieve the continuous power supply between a stationary and a rotary point, one set of wires is attached to a rotating rig which is then attached to a stationary rig to which the other set of wires is attached to. Multiple rings can be stacked depending on the requirements of the application.

Slip rings come in various sizes making them well suited to many applications.

Slip Ring Function – Application Examples

Slip rings are used throughout many industries, some of these are oil and gas, water treatment, medical, aerospace, electronics industry, agriculture, and construction.

Some applications which use slip rings are video systems, control systems, capping machines, medical equipment, robotics applications and packaging machines.

Being a supplier of slip rings, Heason has helped solve applications which include;

Wind turbines – a popular and common application for slip rings. Wind turbines use large slip rings to ensure that there is no cable entanglement as they rotate in either direction. It also allows them to change direction without the need for rewiring.  

Bottle labelling machines - bottle labelling machines are another popular use for slip rings.  The rotating carousels run the bottles through the machines. slip rings are used to control the rotating bottles as the labels are applied.  

Intelligent lighting - Intelligent lighting or moving head projectors are a type of lighting rig used in theatre. They used various motors to allow for movement along the lighting rig and to rotate for various angles. In this type of application, a slip ring is required to avoid cables becoming twisted and tangles when the light is rotated in each direction.

Types of Slip Ring from Heason

All of our slip rings can be seen on our website – they are split into the following categories;

Capsule Slip Rings

• Reduced diameter guaranteeing a low peripheral speed between rings and brushes.
• Reduced material consumption
• Long life
• Compact design: body diameter from 12.4mm to 25mm
• Available with flange mounting and IP65.

Faston Slip Rings

• Easy connection via “faston” connection spades
• Fibre brush technology
• Longer life due to multiple contact points
• Compact
• Cost-effective

Through Bore or Hollow Shaft Slip Rings

• Easy mounting
• The shaft can vary from 3mm to 100mm
• 20A power
• Fieldbus signal channels
• Fluidic, combined solutions.

Rugged Slip Rings

• Stainless steel or aluminium housing
• Suitable for harsh environments
• IP65 rated as standard
• Robust, mechanical construction

Browse our products on our website, please contact us for more information or to discuss your application.