Slewing bearings

The slewing bearing, also known as slew(ing) ring, is a type of bearing for low-speed and high axial load applications. This type of bearing is composed of two high-strength steel rings. The rolling raceways housing the rolling elements (balls or cylindrical rollers) allow for rotational movement.

It is necessary to use slewing bearings when the machinery has a structural part that must rotate with respect to another part on a single axis, thus ensuring that the parts meet the maximum amount of resistance.

The slewing bearing is a mechanical component that is used in major industrial sectors. Harbor and deck cranes are one of the ideal applications for using slewing bearings – for example, for container handling. Additionally, for wind turbine blades, the use of slewing bearings ensures the highest level of reliability and efficiency, as required by this sector.

The slewing bearing, due to its high level of rigidity, allows:

• the withstanding and transmission of the operating load of the structure to which it is connected
• a guaranteed degree of precision, as required by the application
• compliance with required operating parameters and life-cycles

Its construction design allows for easy assembly, with a significant reduction in cost for the construction and maintenance of the structures where it is employed.

Slewing bearings can be:

• comprised of one or more rows of balls
• with one or more rows of rollers
• custom-designed and custom-built

They can be manufactured with an internal or external gear, or even without a gear. They are shielded on both sides, greased with a high-quality lubricant (with the ability to be re-lubricated) and easy to assemble.