Customize Slewing Bearing Complete Guide

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what is Slewing Bearings ?
Slewing bearings, also known as slewing ring, turntable bearing, or rotational bearing, is a type of large-diameter bearing designed to support both axial and radial loads, as well as tilting (moments) loads. It facilitates relative rotational movements between two parts or structures while maintaining stability and transmitting the required load.

Slewing bearings are commonly used in a wide range of applications, including heavy machinery such as cranes, excavators, and tunnel-boring machines; wind turbines and solar tracking systems; medical equipment like CT and MRI scanners; and robotics and automation systems.

There are various types and designs of slewing bearings, including:

  1. Four-point contact ball slewing bearing: With a simple design mainly for supporting axial and radial loads, these bearings are commonly used in small to medium-sized applications or in combination with other bearings for more complex load handling.
  2. Double-row ball bearings: Consisting of two separate rows of steel balls, these bearings can handle higher loads and moments, making them suitable for large and heavy applications, such as cranes, tunnel-boring machines, and large antennae or radars.
  3. Three-Row Roller Slewing Bearings: Featuring three separate rows of rollers, these bearings offer the highest load capacity and typically support the heaviest applications, such as large cranes and heavy equipment or infrastructure projects.
  4. Crossed Roller Slewing Bearings: With rollers arranged in a crisscross pattern, these bearings can handle high axial, radial, and moment loads while maintaining a compact design and high precision. They are often used in precision equipment and robotics.

Slewing bearings may also feature different gearing options, such as internal, external, or no gearing, depending on the specific application requirements and desired rotational movement.

Why need to customize slewing bearing?

Customizing slewing bearings may be necessary under several circumstances to ensure an optimized and efficient system performance. Situations that can warrant the customization of slewing bearings include:

  1. Unique load capacities: When the application has specific load capacity requirements, such as heavy axial, radial, or tilting moment loads, that cannot be met by standard slewing bearings.
  2. Complex or unconventional mounting conditions: Customized slewing bearings may be needed when there are particular space constraints or mounting requirements not supported by off-the-shelf solutions.
  3. Extreme operating environments: Applications operating in harsh environments, such as extreme temperatures, heavy vibrations, high humidity, or corrosive atmospheres, may require slewing bearings made with specialized materials and features to handle these conditions.
  4. High precision requirements: When the application demands high rotational accuracy, smooth and precise motion, or low backlash for optimal performance, a customized slewing bearing can be designed to meet these stringent specifications.
  5. Special gearing options: Customization may be required for slewing bearings with specific gear types, such as internal, external, or gearless designs, or varying gear ratios and tooth profiles to match the application’s power transmission needs.
  6. Material specifications: Applications that require special material properties, such as corrosion resistance, increased hardness or temperature resilience, may necessitate the customization of slewing bearings.
  7. Additional features: When an application calls for specific features such as integrated sensors, monitoring systems, or other additional components, customizing the slewing bearing can help incorporate these functionalities seamlessly into the bearing.

In these and other similar situations, customizing a slewing bearing will ensure that it meets the unique requirements and constraints of the application, thereby achieving optimized performance, reliability, and a longer service life.


How to customize slewing bearing？
Customizing a slewing bearing involves designing and manufacturing a bearing tailored to the specific requirements of your application. By following these steps, you can successfully customize a slewing bearing that meets your exact needs:

  1. Identify application requirements: Understand your application’s specific needs, such as load capacity (radial and axial), torque, rotation speed, mounting constraints, and environmental conditions. Also, consider any space, weight, and installation limitations.
  2. Select the type of slewing bearing: Choose the appropriate type of slewing bearing for your application, such as single-row, double-row, or three-row bearings, with various gearing options (e.g., internal, external, or no gearing) and designs (ball or roller bearings).
  3. Determine size and dimensions: Specify required dimensions and tolerances, such as the inner and outer ring diameters, bearing height, and tooth profile of the slewing bearing, based on the given application requirements and constraints.
  4. Choose material and surface treatments: Select suitable materials (e.g., carbon steel, stainless steel, or alloy) and surface treatments (e.g., heat treatment, coatings) to enhance durability, wear resistance, and lifespan.
  5. Design the sealing system: Design an effective sealing system that protects the bearing from dust, moisture, and other contaminants, ensuring optimal performance and longevity.
  6. Lubrication and maintenance requirements: Identify appropriate lubrication methods (e.g., grease, oil) and maintenance procedures to reduce friction and wear, as well as ensure long-lasting performance.
  7. Collaborate with a manufacturer: Work with a slewing bearing manufacturer with the necessary expertise, experience, and capabilities to develop and produce the customized bearing. Provide detailed design specifications, and collaborate on testing and validation processes to ensure the final product meets your requirements.
  8. Testing and validation: Perform rigorous testing of the customized bearing to validate its performance, reliability, and durability under real-world operating conditions.

By following this process, you can successfully develop and produce a customized slewing bearing that meets the unique requirements of your application and delivers optimal performance in even the most demanding situations.

Manufacturers of customizing slewing bearings

Luoyang Longda Bearing Co., Ltd. (LDB-Bearing) boasts over 30 years of experience in slewing bearing design, enabling their engineering team to customize specific slewing bearings tailored to a client’s project, operational conditions, and unique requirements. The company produces a wide range of bearings, from small ones for lightweight applications to large three-row roller slewing bearings for heavy-duty applications, as well as intermediate-sized gear bearings.

LDB-Bearing offers an array of professional services, including:

  • Measuring and drafting
  • Proactive maintenance management
  • Performance monitoring
  • Enhancing efficiency
  • Bearing repair and refurbishment
  • Computer-aided design (CAD) drafting
  • Labeling
  • Employee training
  • Maintenance manuals and recommendations

In the manufacturing process of a customized slewing bearing, LDB-Bearing thoughtfully takes into account the extreme conditions of the working environment. This careful consideration ensures reliability and durability even under the most demanding loads.