Slewing bearings, also known as turntable bearings or slewing rings, are a critical component in cranes and lifts. They are responsible for supporting both vertical and horizontal loads, enabling the crane to rotate and lift heavy items. The selection of an appropriate slewing bearing is important to ensure that it can handle the intended load, provide smooth rotation, and offer longevity. In this blog, we will discuss how incorporating slewing bearings with external gear can enhance safety and performance in cranes and lifts.
Slewing bearings with external gear are designed with a gear on the outer ring. The gear allows the bearing to interact with other components, such as drive motors or other gears, to facilitate smooth rotation of the crane or lift. The use of external gear in slewing bearings offers several benefits, including:
Increased durability: Slewing bearings with external gear are designed to withstand high radial, axial, and moment loads, and have a longer operating life as compared to traditional bearings. The external gear helps distribute the load more evenly, thus reducing wear and tear on individual components.
Precision and accuracy: The use of external gear in slewing bearings ensures a higher degree of precision and accuracy in the motion and location of the crane or lift. This is especially critical in applications where precise positioning is required.
Improved safety: The external gear in slewing bearings provides a failsafe mechanism that can prevent catastrophic failure of the crane or lift. If one component fails, the gear will ensure that the remaining components continue to operate normally, preventing complete equipment shutdown.
Slewing bearings with external gear find applications in a wide range of cranes and lifts, including:
Tower cranes: Heavy-duty tower cranes use slewing bearings with external gear to facilitate smooth rotation and precise positioning of the load.
Mobile cranes: In mobile cranes, slewing bearings with external gear help distribute the weight of the crane and the load more evenly, reducing the chance of instability and tilt.
Wind turbines: Wind turbines use slewing bearings with external gear to promote smooth rotation of the blades, which in turn generates electricity.
Slewing bearings with external gear are an essential component in cranes and lifts, providing a wide range of benefits, including increased durability, precision, accuracy, and safety. The use of external gear ensures that the crane or lift operates smoothly and efficiently, promoting maximum uptime and increased productivity. When selecting a slewing bearing with external gear, it is important to consider the load capacity, operating environment, and other application-specific requirements. Swbtec is a trusted brand in the industry, offering a range of high-quality slewing bearings with external gear that are designed to meet the highest standards of performance and durability.