What are the Different Types of Slip Rings?

Through-hole slip ring, also known as hollow shaft slip ring. It is a device that transmits power or signals 360˚ between the fixed and rotating parts of the equipment. Its central through hole allows various cables, shafts and other objects to pass through, and can be quickly completed through the flange on the sleeve bracket.
Through-hole slip rings can transmit multiple types of signals at the same time, including power, control signals, digital signals, analog signals, RF signals, etc. This type of slip ring can maintain relatively low operating noise and is easy to maintain.

Capsule slip ring is a slip ring that looks like a hat. It is installed with the equipment through the fixing holes on the flange, usually with the outer layer fixed and the inner shaft rotating. It has a high operating speed of up to 300RPM and supports mixing different amperage and voltages.
Capsule slip ring combines concentrated range and high functionality, often using gold-to-gold connection technology to ensure durability and low noise. This type of slip ring is most commonly used in high-definition video transmission systems, radars, video surveillance systems, medical equipment and other equipment.

Separate slip rings are also called independent slip rings and split slip rings. The rotor and stator are separated, the stator is a contact brush, and the rotor is used as a connection channel for conduction, gas, and liquid. This slip ring can be installed by means of cap flanges, hollow holes, etc., and does not need to be fully enclosed in various applications.
Separate slip rings are more suitable for distinguishing and independently transmitting different types of signals or circuits. Therefore, some models of rotors have through holes for assembling hydraulic channels, pneumatic channels or transmission shafts. This can help control the number of conductive rings and insulating rings on the main shaft to maintain smooth operation.

The disc slip ring is flat in shape and is named after its resemblance to a disc. This type of slip ring is designed for applications with limited mounting height. Its conductor is placed on a flat disc, and the concentric ring will be located at the center of the rotating shaft. Due to the large surface area of the conductive ring, it can provide greater capacitance and withstand more brush wear.
In addition, disc slip rings can be divided into two types: integrated disc slip rings and separated disc slip rings. The former provides solid and different size hole options; the latter can be combined with PCB board design to effectively reduce the axial length.

A pneumatic slip ring is an electrical component that connects and transmits current, signals, and gas to rotating objects. At the same time, it stably separates liquid connections while rotating 360 degrees.
This type of slip ring is mainly used in commercial and industrial plant equipment, offshore drilling rigs, and geotechnical tools. It is also commonly used for rotating and sliding movements that require gas transmission. For example, it inputs compressed air to drive pneumatic clamps in the rotary table on an automated production line, and discharges waste gas and waste liquid generated during the work process in a timely manner.

Mercury slip rings are restricted in certain industries, such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. This is because it uses mercury as the conductive medium of the contact. Although the transmission of mercury slip rings is stable and can maintain low resistance, it can still cause pollution and freeze and become solid at around -40°C.
Like most conductive slip rings, it can transmit any signal during rotation, such as weak voltage, voltage, EMF, thermocouple signals, audio and video signals, high-frequency signals and various electrical connections.
Mercury slip rings are often used in applications such as ships, cutting machines, filling machines, etc., showing the characteristics of low noise and high-speed operation.

Carbon brush slip rings are mainly used in high-frequency, continuously rotating equipment, such as cranes, machine tools, printing equipment, wind turbines, etc.
Its conductive ring is installed on the rotating shaft. The carbon brush is fixed by a spring device and contacts the conductive ring, and the two are always in relative motion. This uninterrupted contact forms an electrical path, allowing power and signals to flow.
Carbon brush slip rings are often designed in cylindrical or disc shapes, which can be easily embedded in the equipment to avoid cable entanglement and confusion.

A welding current transmission device is a device specially designed for use in the rotary welding process. Its main function is to continuously transmit current while the welding parts are rotating.
It usually consists of a fixed part and a rotating part. The fixed part is connected to the power supply and is responsible for receiving the current from the power supply; the rotating part is connected to the rotating part undergoing the welding operation.
In addition, this device often uses special conductive materials and contact methods, such as special copper alloys, to withstand the passage of large currents without generating excessive heat and voltage drop.

Custom slip rings can be customized to meet specific needs, resulting in a variety of configurations. These include the slip ring's size, material, electrical channel, rotation speed, operating temperature, IP rating, and more. In addition to traditional applications of transmitting power, they can also be used to transmit analog and digital signals from different devices.
Custom slip rings are useful in any application or system that has unlimited, intermittent or continuous rotation and needs to transmit power/data, including construction, agriculture, aerospace, packaging, food, and more.