Are you looking for reliable slip ring manufacturers that can guarantee functional rotary joints custom-designed for your equipment and operating environment? Slip rings are electromechanical devices that are provided to transmit power and signals between stationary and rotating components. Also known as rotary joints, these devices can be installed in a wide variety of equipment. They are also designed to work in specific operating environments.
Slip rings are standard in electric DC motors, although they play the role of inserting resistance, rather than conductivity. Other popular examples are found in wind turbines, smart toys, hydraulic systems, mining and military equipment, monitoring, antennas, and satellites, among others. They are required for applications that feature infinite 360° rotations, to facilitate the transmission of signals from the stationary to the rotating component, or vice versa.
Slip rings come in different specifications to meet unique equipment and operating environment requirements. It is essential to compare the top slip ring manufacturers to find the best offer for your needs. Here are two steps to help you identify the different slip ring manufacturers in the market.
Step 1: Sort Slip Rings Into Types
There are various types of slip rings provided by manufacturers. Most standard models are designed for popular motors and machinery. However, slip rings are application-specific electromechanical devices, so each comes with unique features based on its use. Some slip ring manufacturers can produce a wide variety of slip rings, while others focus on a single type of model for specific applications. Here are five common types of slip rings you will come across:
1. Through-hole Slip Rings
Also known as through bore slip rings, these devices feature a hollow space at the center to provide room for channels. The area at the center also allows the shaft to move freely, making it ideal for systems that require a constant revolution. Through-hole slip rings are used in industrial applications, such as packaging, food processing, test and measurement equipment, oceanographic instrumentation, torque measurement, strain measurement, and more. They are also some of the most popular slip rings in the market and come in different mechanical and electrical specifications to meet unique requirements.
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2. Pancake Slip Rings
Like through bore, pancake slip rings get their name from their disk-like pancake shape. These slip rings are designed for application in equipment that has limited vertical space. The pancake shape allows the device to be installed in narrow spaces, provided there is sufficient horizontal space to accommodate the device’s diameter. The design is less sturdy compared to other high-voltage slip rings and is also not recommended for high-speed data transfer. Pancake slip rings are, however, invaluable in auto showrooms, where they are used to display vehicles, offshore cranes, microwave antennas, and wind turbines. Practically, any other application that has limited vertical length might benefit from a pancake design.
3. FORJs
Fiber optic rotary joints are designed to transmit optical signals between rotary joints. They feature the inherent benefits of using advanced fiber-optic technology. This includes extended durability of the contact surfaces and high-speed data transmission, which are crucial in various applications. FORJs are widely used in robotic systems, missile guidance systems, oil drilling machinery, remotely operated vehicles, sensing equipment, OCT medical devices, broadcasting systems, and more. The twist-free fiber cables offer enhanced resistance against various interferences, ensuring the high-speed transmission of power and signals. FORJs are highly specialized slip rings and only a few manufacturers provide them.
4. PCB and Miniature Slip Rings
PCB offers an excellent canvas for slip ring applications that require lightweight installations. The PCB material is very durable, easy to mold, and lightweight, making it the perfect solution for thin miniature slip rings. PCB rotary joints are used in applications that require low noise, resistance, and torque. They also suit installation in small spaces and are widely used in smart toys such as turntables and helicopter models. They are also found in intelligent robots and offer the ideal surface for installing all specifications required to transmit power and data signals in small, lightweight systems. PCB slip rings also tend to assume the pancake shape.
5. USB Slip Rings
As the name suggests, USB slip rings are designed to transmit USB signals (data and power) between rotary joints and are compatible with both hydraulic and pneumatic slip rings. These devices are built to eliminate packet loss and reduce return loss, and insertion loss. They are also highly customizable, with about 80% of the specifications based on unique application requirements. As such, many lesser-known slip ring manufacturers tend to avoid producing USB models, considering the low demand. Nonetheless,
Step 2: Compare Reputation vs. Market Share
The second way to distinguish slip ring manufacturers is through their market reputation and the share they dominate. Some companies have invested a lot to spearhead innovations and boast several decades in the industry. They have an ever-growing reputation and own a large market share. Others are new entrants that meet all the minimum requirements and more.
Slip rings are manufactured under industry standards, so most offers you get will be functional. However, some brands have a reputation for longer-lasting functional slip rings, impeccable customer service, affordability, customization, fast service delivery, and more. It is recommended to choose highly regarded slip ring manufacturers, such as Moflon, Senring, Rotarx, and JINPAT as well as other top-rated offers in the market.
Market share can quickly distinguish the top brands in the market and what models are popular. Manufacturers that enjoy a larger market share also enjoy far-reaching popularity, so you can easily compare their slip ring models. You should look up reviews and testimonials from customers or ratings from other trustworthy forums for more insight about the manufacturer in question.
Conclusion
Identifying slip ring manufacturers shouldn’t be an overwhelming process. Slip rings come in standard specifications that most manufacturers meet, so you can compare top offers solely based on what users are saying. Aspects like business credibility, years of service, customer service experience, quality guarantees, and warranty are all essential distinctions that can help you identify reliable manufacturers. Make sure you choose the best manufacturer based on the slip rings you need.
