How does slewing work?

Bearings are core components in mechanical systems that enable rotational motion. Their basic function is to support shafts or other rotating bodies and reduce frictional resistance during movement.

During operation, the inner ring of a bearing is usually tightly fitted with the shaft and rotates together with it; the outer ring is fixed on the machine base or other stationary components. Rolling elements (such as steel balls, cylindrical rollers, tapered rollers, etc.) are installed between the inner and outer rings. These rolling elements are evenly separated by a cage to avoid mutual collision.

When the shaft rotates, the rolling elements roll in the raceways of the inner and outer rings, converting the original sliding friction into rolling friction, which significantly reduces the friction coefficient and energy loss, while also reducing wear on components and extending the service life of the machinery.

Slewing bearings are a type of large bearing with a special structure and function, also known as slewing rings. Their structure typically includes an inner ring, an outer ring, rolling elements, and a cage. Some models are also integrated with gear rings (internal or external teeth) to enable rotation through a driving device. Compared with ordinary bearings, slewing bearings are larger in size and have stronger load-carrying capacity, being able to withstand the combined action of three types of loads: axial force, radial force, and overturning moment. This characteristic makes them particularly suitable for equipment that requires large-scale rotational movement, such as those that need to bear their own weight as well as various forces generated by working loads during rotation.

In application scenarios, engineering machinery is an important application field for slewing bearings. Take an excavator as an example: the connection part between its upper body (including the cab, boom, bucket, etc.) and the lower chassis (track or tire part) must be equipped with a slewing bearing.

When the excavator is working, the slewing bearing supports the entire weight of the upper body. At the same time, driven by a hydraulic motor (transmitting power through the gear ring), it realizes the 360-degree continuous rotation of the upper body, ensuring that the bucket can flexibly adjust its working position.

When excavating hard soil or rocks, the huge axial force, radial force, and overturning moment generated during the operation will all act on the slewing bearing, and its stable load-carrying capacity is crucial to ensuring the normal operation of the excavator.

In addition, slewing bearings are also widely used in the slewing mechanisms of cranes, the rotating booms of port machinery, and rotating platforms in amusement facilities (such as Ferris wheels). In these scenarios, their characteristics of large size, high load capacity, and rotatability play an irreplaceable role.

If you are looking for slewing bearing, please contact LTZC.