How Machines Keep Working with the Help of Slip Rings?

Technology is getting frequent updates, and sometimes it’s really hard to keep up with it from the consumer’s standpoint.

Much goes behind how modern technology is designed, manufactured, and produced. Therefore, advanced technological devices are a group of so many elements and features.

However, not many people know that almost all technology with a rotary part is linked and connected to one small device, which makes a huge difference. Keep on reading, as that’s what you’ll be able to learn in this post, so you don’t ever miss out on slip rings!

How do Slip Rings Connect Machines?

Slip rings are tiny devices that connect all types of machines. They’re mostly used to connect machines that come with both a rotary and stationary aspect to them.

Therefore, a slip ring bridges the gap between these two parts of a machine while providing a solid contact that can help transfer almost anything a modern device, machine, or equipment would require.

This includes data, signal, power, and other mediums such as fluid, coolant, and others.

Therefore, even though slip rings are often overlooked, they can be found in almost every device with a rotary aspect. For example, slip rings are used in slip-ring induction motors. Since slip rings don’t only bridge the gap between the two parts, they also have additional benefits and advantages.

That’s why you can find slip rings in almost all types and sorts of devices across almost any industry you can think of in the world.

With the super powerful connection that eliminates wires around the joints and yet provides much more, it is one of the most reliable yet the smallest devices you will find, even in the larger equipment.

What are Slip Rings, and How Do They Function?

Slip rings are small devices placed on the machine’s stationary part and yet connected to the machine’s rotary part.

It requires rotation to provide stable contact. In return, it eliminates wires hanging around the joints, which can be a hazard to the operation and even lead to serious downtime of the machine, resulting in various costs.

Of course, slip rings were invented to solve wiring winding problems in rotary machines. Besides being the number one solution to this problem, this tiny but efficient device is so versatile that it brings many other benefits and functions.

A slip ring is very simply designed, and the main components include an outer ring and brushes (wipers) on the inside, alongside a couple of additional components.

With the device’s rotation, the slip ring’s brushes slide across the inner part of the ring, creating a strong contact point that helps eliminate wires and provides additional benefits to the machine.

Even though they’re very simple devices, slip rings are very durable, reliable, and efficient, so they’re frequently used in innovative machines, factory automation machines, and others.

Best Slip Ring Real-World Examples

Since we’ve mentioned that slip rings are a very versatile device, it is easy to find them being used across all types of devices in almost any industry in the world.

That’s how useful slip rings are, and they’re definitely a number one solution when it comes down to the wire winding problem in rotary machines, but they can provide a lot more.

Therefore, some of the most common places you’d never think slip rings are used include radar equipment, medical imaging equipment, robotics, factory automation, monitoring equipment, wind turbines, food and beverage industry, gas & oil industry, aerospace use, and more.

Slip rings can even be found in heavy machines such as excavators and marine dredging solutions.

And while all these industries and machines don’t seem to have anything in common, the main thing that they do have in common, which enables slip rings to be installed, is that they consist of both a stationary and a rotary part.

Orbinexus have been working hard for 10+ years to produce various types of slip rings that are a solid and reliable solution, but also make custom slip ring solutions for innovative companies in need.

They are also focusing on innovative versions of slip rings, ensuring they fit the most demanding future needs as well.

Various Slip Ring Types and The Innovation of Slip Rings

Even though slip rings have been pretty much the same for years, there are six main slip ring types, and they’re the following:

• Mercury contact ring
• Fiber optic ring
• Ethernet ring
• Miniature slip ring
• Through hole ring
• Pancake slip ring

However, be aware that each type also has variations and versions. Therefore, there are actually many more sub-types of slip rings you can come across.

Of course, there are also the custom slip rings that you might not even recognize if you ever come across them in innovative devices.

But companies are still working on innovating slip rings since they’ve been such a great solution so they can keep up with technological needs.

That being said, you can come across modern versions of slip rings, such as wireless power slip rings that come with unlimited RPMs or brushless slip rings that don’t have brushes or wipers on the inside, and yet they have a super long life compared to regular slip rings. Of course, they also require less maintenance and prove to be even more durable and reliable in the long run.

Conclusion

Slip rings are often overlooked as tiny devices. Still, they make wonders, providing such great functionality that can help improve mechanical efficiency and provide reliable and solid contact points.

Since they’re so versatile, you can find them almost anywhere, and they’re most likely to be found in devices with a rotary part to them, but they can also be used for adding resistance in AC motors, controlling the max speed of wind turbine blades, and more.

With very few to no cons, slip rings are there to stay, and with advanced versions, they’re meeting even the most demanding needs.

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