Features of Metal Slewing Bearings
Metal slewing bearings are extensively applied in numerous industrial sectors and serve as crucial components for enabling smooth rotational motion of equipment parts. They possess distinctive structural and performance characteristics, with both prominent advantages and disadvantages.
What is Metal Slewing Bearing?
Metal slewing bearings play an irreplaceable role in various industrial fields, owing to their high load – bearing capacity, high – precision rotation capabilities, reliable stability, and long service life. However, their drawbacks, such as high costs, large weight, and complex installation and maintenance procedures, limit their application in certain scenarios. With the continuous advancement of technology, it is anticipated that in the future, metal slewing bearings will overcome these limitations while maintaining their advantages through means like material innovation and process improvement, thereby achieving broader applications.
Advantages of metal slew bearing
High Load – Bearing Capacity,The structural design of metal slewing bearings allows them to endure diverse types of loads, including axial forces, radial forces, and overturning moments. Take large – scale cranes as an example. When hoisting heavy objects, the slewing bearing has to bear the axial force generated by the combined weight of the boom and the load, the radial force resulting from sway during the hoisting process, and the overturning moment caused by the load’s eccentricity. The raceways and rolling elements of the slewing bearing are crafted from high – strength metal materials and undergo specialized processing techniques, such as surface quenching. This enhances the material’s hardness and wear resistance, ensuring that the slewing bearing can operate stably even under complex stress conditions, boasting a formidable load – bearing capacity. Small – sized metal slewing bearings can have an axial load – bearing capacity of up to several tens of kilonewtons, while large – scale ones can withstand thousands of kilonewtons or even higher axial forces. The slewing bearings of some large – scale port cranes can have an overturning moment – bearing capacity exceeding tens of thousands of newton – meters.
High – Precision Rotation,in precision equipment, the high – precision rotation feature of metal slewing bearings is of utmost importance. For instance, in semiconductor manufacturing equipment, an extremely high level of positioning accuracy for components is required. The manufacturing process of slewing bearings is continuously optimized. The processing accuracy of the raceways can reach the micron level, and the dimensional accuracy and roundness of the rolling elements are strictly controlled. Additionally, the internal structure of the slewing bearing is rationally designed to effectively minimize axial and radial run – out during operation, guaranteeing high – precision positioning of equipment components during rotation. Generally, the rotational accuracy of metal slewing bearings can be maintained within ±5 arc – minutes, and that of high – precision ones can even be controlled within approximately ±1 arc – minute, meeting the high – precision demands of precision equipment.
Reliable Stability,the stability of metal slewing bearings stems from their robust metal structure and excellent sealing design. In harsh industrial environments, such as those with high temperatures, high humidity, or heavy dust, the metal housing of the slewing bearing can effectively resist external impacts and corrosion. The internal sealing device prevents impurities like dust and moisture from infiltrating, protecting the raceways and rolling elements from erosion and ensuring their normal operation. For example, in the large – scale rotary kiln equipment of cement plants, metal slewing bearings can operate stably even when exposed to a dusty environment for an extended period. This reduces equipment malfunctions and boosts production efficiency.
Reliable Stability,the metal materials chosen for metal slewing bearings exhibit good wear resistance and fatigue resistance. Under normal usage and maintenance conditions, they have a relatively long service life. In wind turbines, although the slewing bearings are exposed to complex outdoor weather conditions over an extended period, through rational material selection, regular lubrication, and maintenance, their service life can reach 20 years or even longer. This not only reduces the equipment’s maintenance costs but also extends the overall service cycle of the equipment, minimizing the impact of frequent component replacements on production.
Disadvantages of metal slew bearing
High Costs,the high costs of metal slewing bearings are mainly attributed to materials and processing. To ensure high load – bearing capacity and a long service life, high – quality alloy steels, such as those containing alloying elements like chromium and molybdenum, are typically selected. These materials are expensive. During the processing stage, the high – precision requirements render the processing technology complex. Advanced processing equipment and testing instruments, such as high – precision grinders and coordinate measuring machines, are necessary, driving up the production costs. The price of small – sized metal slewing bearings can range from several thousand yuan, while that of large – scale, high – precision slewing bearings can reach hundreds of thousands of yuan or even higher. This undoubtedly increases the overall manufacturing costs of the equipment.
Large Weight,since metal slewing bearings are predominantly composed of metal materials, they are relatively heavy. In some application scenarios with strict weight constraints, such as the aerospace industry, an overly heavy slewing bearing will increase the overall weight of the aircraft, affecting its flight performance and energy consumption. Even in ground – based equipment, such as small – scale construction machinery that requires frequent movement, an excessively heavy slewing bearing will increase the difficulty of equipment movement and energy consumption, reducing the equipment’s mobility and operational efficiency.
Complex Installation and Maintenance,The installation of metal slewing bearings demands professional skills and equipment, with high – precision installation requirements. During installation, parameters such as the levelness and concentricity of the slewing bearing must meet the specified standards; otherwise, it will affect its normal operation and service life. When installing giant slewing bearings in large – scale bridge construction, large – scale lifting equipment and high – precision measuring instruments are needed. The installation process is complex and time – consuming. Routine maintenance is also rather cumbersome. It is necessary to regularly inspect the lubrication condition and wear level of the slewing bearing, and promptly replenish lubricants and replace worn – out components. The maintenance of some large – scale slewing bearings requires the operation of professional technicians, increasing the maintenance costs and difficulties.
Prices of Metal Slewing Bearings
The prices of metal slewing bearings vary significantly due to multiple factors. Small, ordinary ones may cost a few hundred yuan, such as those used in small – scale machinery with low – precision requirements. Medium – sized ones usually cost around several thousand yuan and are suitable for general industrial equipment. Large – scale, high – precision, or those made of special materials and with unique manufacturing processes can cost tens of thousands of yuan or even more. For example, slewing bearings used in high – end equipment like wind power and offshore engineering. The specific price needs to be determined by comprehensively considering factors such as materials, dimensions, and precision.
Suppliers of Metal Slewing Bearings
Since its establishment, Ldb bearing Company has always stood out with its unique excellence. Rooted in Luoyang, Henan Province, a thriving hub for the bearing industry, the company has leveraged its professional design and R&D capabilities to produce numerous high – quality products. The company offers a wide range of product specifications. Whether they are standard or non – standard products, they all showcase exquisite craftsmanship. From the procurement of raw materials to the production of finished products, strict process control and quality management are implemented at every step.