Where are the slewing drive apply to?

The slewing drive is a gearbox that can safely hold radial and axial loads, as well as transmit a torque for rotating. The rotation can be in a single axis, or in multiple axes together. This article will introduce where are the slewing drive apply to.

Here are the main points of the article:

History of the slewing drive

Types of slewing drive

The applications of slewing drive

1. History of the slewing drive

The slewing drive is a modernized take on the worm drive mechanism that dates back many centuries and was widely used during the Renaissance Era. Pappus of Alexandria (3rd century AD), a Greek mathematician is credited for an early version of the endless screw, which would later evolve into the worm drive.This mechanism was also used by Leonardo da Vinci as a component in many of his designs for machines. It can also be found in the notebooks of Francesco di Giorgio of Siena. Many slewing drives concepts found prominence with the emergence of larger scale construction and engineering in the height of the Greek and Roman Empires.

2. Types of slewing drive

Slewing drives are available in many configurations depending on the task at hand. These may be single-axis or dual-axis turning in unison.An hourglass configuration expands the capability from a single gear tooth to as many as 11 to create rotational torque by contacting the worm screw. Multiple gear teeth interacting at once allows the equipment to be more efficient and generate more torque.

3. The applications of slewing drive

There are many applications in which the slewing drive can be utilized, primarily because it is perfect for applications that require both load-holding power and rotational torque strength. Slewing drive bearings are usually found in application such as: wind turbines, heavy load transporters, solar trackers, harbor cranes, hydraulic equipment, crane steering mechanisms, automation systems, heavy load manipulators, yaw and pitch control tables.

Slewing drives function with standard worm technology, in which the worm on the horizontal shaft acts as the driver for the gear. The rotation of the horizontal screw turns a gear about an axis perpendicular to the screw axis. This combination reduces the speed of the driven member and also multiplies its torque; increasing it proportionally as the speed decreases.The speed ratio of shafts depends upon the relation of the number of threads on the worm to the number of teeth in the worm wheel or gear.

As technology has improved, more slewing drives are using hourglass worm technology, in which the worm is shaped to engage more teeth in the gear.This increased tooth engagement results in greater strength, efficiency and durability.

The list of active applications for slewing drives is extensive. Several types of industries require some form of slew drive to make their operations more efficient. Equipment for mining, construction, metalworking and other applications that require unrelenting strength combined with faultless precision use slewing technology for safety and accuracy.

Powerful devices like aerial lifts, rotating forklifts, truck-mounted cranes, cable winders, fire trucks, hydraulic machinery and utility equipment depend on the safety and strength of slewing drives.

Precision devices such as military equipment, satellite dishes, solar trackers, printing presses and telescopic devices benefit from the absolute precision that slewing drives provide to be effective.

I hope the introduction of this article is helpful for you to know about slewing drive. If you need slewing drive, please contact us.