Slip rings come in various types, ranging from through-hole devices to pancake and hybrid pneumatic models. Each model has unique applications and features, so the installation will vary from one device to the next. They also include special mounting and there is a significant difference between existing brands. Some models can be installed without professional help, but most slip ring installations involve considerable technical skill and equipment. Unless you have accomplished slip ring installation before, it is best left to professionals. Below is a brief look at how to install different types of slip rings into mechanical systems.
Step for Installing a Standard Slip Ring
Since several types of slip ring models and devices use them, the installation will depend on the unique characteristics of the application. It is essential to install the right slip ring for your machinery. If your device is a slip ring motor, most come with a dedicated shaft position and insulating supports that have designated spots already indicated. However, not all machines come with this advantage.
A fairground ride, for instance, requires choosing safe cable routes and making individual brackets that can suspend the slip ring below the system’s deck. You will also need to add insulating spacers. Cable reel slip rings, on the other hand, are fitted on a bracket. This ensures the barrel remains fixed on the axis. You will also need an external cable tail and a torque arm to secure the slip ring to the fixed structure.
Rotating stage slip rings tend to be flat and should be fitted underneath the staging. It involves installing the brush great vertically while the slip ring remains insulated from other components. Railway turntables, on the other hand, feature slip rings installed on the pit’s walls with the graphite brush gear on the deck. It is essential to identify the unique requirements of your machinery. However, the basic procedure for installing typical slip rings involves these steps:
Step 1: Shaft Preparation
Locate the propeller shaft and clean it using a solvent cleaner that doesn’t leave any residue. When cleaning the shaft, gently sand it with 600-grit tape or emery paper. Make sure the polished area is beyond the area where the slip ring will be positioned. Cleaning removes non-conductive coatings that can reduce signal conductivity.
Step 2: Install the Bands
Install the bands carefully to avoid scratching. You can do this before or after the mounting assembly of the brush holder although it is recommended to do it before, which makes it much easier to clean the shaft mounting assembly area. The ring bands come in precise lengths, so you should ensure they conform to the shaft in the intended location.
Step 3: Clamp the System
A standard slip ring comes with two clamps per ring. The clamp should be tight on the bands to conform to the shaft but not too tight to restrict the shaft from moving. It is also recommendable to install each clamp screw mechanism 180 degrees away from the next to eliminate shaft unbalancing. Placing the device 90 degrees from the band parting line also achieves this feat, so you can combine the two.
Step 4: Final Adjustment
Once phase three is finished, you can install the brush mounting assembly and then make the final adjustment to make sure everything aligns properly. Final adjustment usually involves tightening loose screws and measuring the alignments to prevent unbalancing.
Slip Ring Installation Styles
The step-by-step process of installing slip rings depends on the type of device used. Here is a look at some of the popular slip rings and installation styles they draw:
1. Through Bore Slip Ring Installation
Through-bore slip rings, also known as through-hole slip rings, feature a hollow space in the center of the design. Installing these slip rings is accomplished by fixing the rotary for both the inner and outer rings. You can also find bore rotor flange slip ring designs that can work with both fixed and rotating stators. As such, installation varies depending on the unique features in the design.
2. Rotor and Stator Flange Slip Ring Installation
Rotor slip ring installation is accomplished with the help of screws and anti rotor pole mount that provides balance to the machinery. Its name comes from the design which features a flange on the rotor and can be used in a myriad of industrial and non-industrial applications. Stator flange, on the other hand, is standard in miniature systems, where it is located on the exterior side of the rotating metal ring. However, unlike other slip rings, the rotating feature isn’t fixed to the cable, provided it is small.
3. PCB Slip Ring Installation
These slip rings feature PCB board substrates with the contact rings pressed on the board and coated using shrapnel. PCB slip rings are usually installed separately between the stator and rotor components to ensure sufficient concentricity and pressure. PCB slip rings also suit applications where vertical height is limited.
4. Pneumatic Hybrid Slip Ring Installation
Slip ring installation through pneumatic hybrid designs is mostly accomplished for industrial applications. The slip rings can rotate 360 degrees and require careful installation to ensure proper alignment between the brushes and the inner metal ring. Installing pneumatic hybrid slip rings is best suited to experienced vendors, primarily because of the size and complex nature of the machinery they are installed.
5. Multi-channel FORJ Slip Ring Installation
FORJ (fiber optics rotary joins) also known as fiber optics slip rings offer the ideal solution for data transmission between rotary joint components. It suits systems where large data transmission from a static to a rotating part is required. The installation addresses mechanical property improvement and reduces damage to fiber optics during operation.
Conclusion
Installing a slip ring can be effortless or sophisticated depending on the type, size, and machinery. It is essential to choose the right slip ring and installation procedure. Once you are done installing slip rigs, it is crucial to complete the correct installation for brush mounting assembly. You will also need routine maintenance to monitor the system and ensure everything is working as intended.
