The ins & outs of slewing drive

The term " slewing drive " usually refers to a mechanism consisting of a radial gear, an axial shaft called a worm a connected drive assembly. More advanced rotary drives may include specific worm designs, shields and other auxiliary components. the slewing drive is capable of delivering forces and torques and can withstand these forces over time. Slewing drives have many applications, several different materials to choose from and have a long history.

This article contains the following:

· What is a radial gear driven by a worm?

· Characteristics of worm gear mechanism

· Purpose and application of slewing drive

· Material used to create slewing drives

What is a radial gear driven by a worm?

The most basic slewing drive device is a radial gear driven by a worm. The teeth of the gear meet the grooves in the worm, and when the worm rotates, the gear also rotates. The common features of different slewing drive devices may include a sand-drain worm, which is generally considered to be more efficient because multiple teeth on the gear can be meshed at the same time. Other functions may include protective shields designed to keep the mechanism clean. The motor or drive assembly, such as the rotation of a wind turbine, may also change the specific design of the slewing drive.

Characteristics of worm gear mechanism:

 1. can obtain a large transmission force, more compact than the staggered shaft helical gear mechanism.

 2. line contact between the two gear meshing surfaces, the bearing capacity is much higher than that of the staggered shaft helical gear mechanism. 

3. worm drive is equivalent to spiral drive, mostly tooth gear drive, so the transmission is stable, noise is very small. 

4. has self-locking, it can realize reverse self-locking and play the role of safety protection. 

5. transmission efficiency is low and wear is serious. In order to dissipate heat and reduce wear, more expensive materials with better wear-reducing properties and good lubrication devices are often used, so the cost is higher. 

6. worm axial force

Purpose and application of slewing drive

Usually, the purpose of these machines is to change axial motion into radial motion. depending on the number of threads on the worm and the number of teeth on the gear, the speed and power of the axial force will be converted to a specific radial force. depending on the application, the slewing drive may be useful for amplifying the torque of the rotating mechanism.

Slewing drives have many applications. for example, wind energy systems typically use a rotary driver to convert the axial motion generated by a turbine into an enlarged radial motion that can be converted into energy. Solar tracking systems may also include slewing drives to keep the solar panels in optimal position as the sun moves in the sky. Further applications of rotary drive may include hydraulic systems and mechanical lifts.

Material used to create slewing drives

The material used to create the slewing drive is consistent to some extent. most commonly, phosphorous bronze steels provide high strength and consistent corrosion protection. Depending on the application, the material may also include a variety of bronze, such as nickel-phosphorus bronze added to the steel.

These devices have a long history, perhaps starting in ancient Greece, when the use of endless screws. Slewing drives were also common during the Renaissance. Although modern slewing drives perform more complex tasks and are made of more advanced materials, the ultimate goal of rotary drives does not change over time.