Slew Drive

A WE slew drive refers to a Worm Gear Enclosed (WE) slewing drive system. It is a self-contained, geared drive mechanism that facilitates precise and controlled rotation in applications requiring a compact, load-bearing, and power transmission solution. WE slew drives are found in numerous industries, including solar tracking, construction equipment, and industrial machinery.

Types of WE Slew Drive

WE slew drives can be broadly classified into several categories based on their design and specifications:

Single Worm Gear Slew Drive: Consisting of a single worm gear (or screw) and a worm wheel, this type of slew drive provides relatively low rotational speed with high torque capability.

Double Worm Gear Slew Drive: Utilizing a double (or twin) worm gear design, this type of slew drive can handle higher torque loads, providing more stability, support, and precise control.

Dual Axis Slew Drive: Dual-axis slew drives enable rotation in two different planes, commonly used in solar tracking systems where azimuth and elevation adjustments are required.

Customized WE Slew Drive: Some manufacturers offer custom WE slew drives to accommodate specific application requirements, such as unique gear ratios, load capacities, or special mounting configurations.

Features of WE Slew Drive

The primary features of a WE slew drive system include:

Compact and Enclosed Design: A self-contained, compact design makes WE slew drives easy to integrate into existing systems with minimal space requirements.

High Torque Capability: The worm gear mechanism provides high torque and reduction ratios, ensuring precise positioning and load-bearing capability.

Precision: WE slew drives offer accurate and controlled rotation, providing precise positioning in various applications.

Load Capacity: Capable of handling axial, radial, and tilting moment loads, WE slew drives provide the required stability and support for various applications.

Low Maintenance: The enclosed design protects the components from external contamination, reducing maintenance requirements and prolonging service life.

Applications of WE Slew Drive

WE slew drives are employed in numerous applications across various industries, such as:

Solar Tracking: Slew drives in single or dual-axis configurations are used to track the sun's movement, optimizing the energy output of solar panels.

Construction Equipment: Slew drives are integrated into equipment like aerial platforms, cranes, or excavators to allow smooth and precise rotation of critical components.

Wind Turbines: WE slew drives are used to make azimuth and yaw adjustments in wind turbines, optimizing energy generation efficiency.

Industrial Robotics: They can be found in robotic arms and automation equipment that require high-torque, slow, and precise rotational movements.

Satellite and Antenna Systems: Slew drives are employed in satellite and antenna positioning systems for accurate orientation.

How to Choose a WE Slew Drive?

To choose the right WE slew drive for your application, consider the following factors:

Load Capacity: Determine the required load capacity, considering axial, radial, and tilting moment loads involved in your specific application.

Precision and Speed: Evaluate the desired rotational speed and accuracy required for optimal performance in your application.

Dimensions and Size: Verify the available space for the slew drive integration and choose a WE slew drive that fits within those constraints.

Gear Ratio: Select a WE slew drive with the appropriate gear ratio for the required torque output and speed.

Environmental Factors: Consider external factors such as temperature, potential contaminants, and humidity levels that could impact the operation and choose a WE slew drive with suitable protection features.

Mounting Configuration: Ensure that the chosen WE slew drive is compatible with your existing mounting configuration or can be customized to fit your needs.

Budget: Compare different options within your budget, taking into consideration product quality, durability, and after-sales support.

Supplier of WE Slew Drive

ZENITH-DRIVE is a professional manufacturer of WE slew drive and we can design and manufacture slew ring bearings, precision bearings, slew drives and custom bearings for construction, engineering, mining, marine, chemical, military, wind turbine, medical equipment, and many other industries.

By virtue of expertise team, advanced manufacturing technologies and strict quality management system, ZENITH-DRIVE takes the lead in the R&D of slewing bearings, which are designed with reasonable construction, light weight, good load carrying capacity and high versatility. The bearings’ diameters range from 200 to 10000mm and the accuracy covers PO, P6 and P5 class. Now, we can manufacture CCS, ABS, BV, GL and other certified bearings.