The characteristics and requirements of a slip ring can vary widely, depending on the application. These design specifications are primarily based on the number of rotations and the application’s environment. This is not unique to applications such as pallet wrappers.
Applications with a high number of revolutions, such as a pallet wrapper, generally have several requirements. First, the brush material usually contains a higher graphite content and lower metal content to aid with lubrication. This brush composition reduces the amperage per square inch, and some cleaning action as compared to higher metal content brushes. However, it adds significant life for a higher number of revolutions. Secondly, the spring pressure of the brushes is evaluated. By reducing the spring pressure, the life of the brushes can be extended while still making sure it is adequate for the application. Air swivels are a common accessory added to pallet wrapper slip rings. UEA can supply air swivels in the size and number of ports needed.
The application environment is another factor that should be considered. A pallet wrapper slip ring is generally indoors which is usually not a harsh environment. In continuous rotation applications, like pallet wrappers, preventative maintenance is needed at most once a year to prevent any malfunctions or damage. Cleaning can be completed by removing any brush dust from the internal components with compressed air or a vacuum. Lubrication is never required in UEA slip rings as the brushes contain graphite that helps lubricate the assembly.
United Equipment Accessories designs each slip ring to need the demands of the application. Pallet wrapping applications have specific design needs due to the high rotation. Contact us to engineer a customized solution for your unique requirements.