What is a slip ring?

What is a Slip Ring?
A slip ring is a device that allows for the transfer of electrical signals and power between a stationary and rotating object. Slip rings are commonly used in a variety of applications, including:
Wind turbines
Electric motors
Generators
Robots
Antennas
Aircraft
Spacecraft
Slip rings come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be made from a variety of materials, including copper, silver, and gold. The type of slip ring that is best suited for a particular application will depend on the specific requirements of that application.
In this video, we will take a closer look at slip rings and how they work. We will also discuss the different types of slip rings that are available, and how to choose the right slip ring for your application.
Benefits of Using Slip Rings
There are many benefits to using slip rings, including:
They allow for the transfer of power and signals between a stationary and rotating object.
They can be used in a variety of harsh environments, including those that are dusty, dirty, and wet.
They are relatively inexpensive to purchase and maintain.
They are reliable and have a long lifespan.
Applications of Slip Rings
Slip rings are used in a variety of applications, including:
Wind turbines: Slip rings are used to transfer power from the rotating blades of a wind turbine to the stationary generator.
Electric motors: Slip rings are used to transfer power from the rotating motor shaft to the stationary electrical components.
Generators: Slip rings are used to transfer power from the rotating generator shaft to the stationary electrical components.
Robots: Slip rings are used to transfer power and signals from the stationary control unit to the rotating robot arm.
Antennas: Slip rings are used to transfer power and signals from the rotating antenna to the stationary receiver.
Aircraft: Slip rings are used to transfer power and signals from the stationary cockpit to the rotating propellers and other rotating components.
Spacecraft: Slip rings are used to transfer power and signals from the stationary control unit to the rotating solar panels and other rotating components.
Types of Slip Rings
There are two main types of slip rings:
Brushless slip rings: Brushless slip rings use a rotating contact to make electrical contact with the stationary ring.
Brushed slip rings: Brushed slip rings use a stationary contact to make electrical contact with the rotating ring.
Brushless slip rings are more expensive than brushed slip rings, but they are also more reliable and have a longer lifespan. Brushed slip rings are less expensive than brushless slip rings, but they are also less reliable and have a shorter lifespan.
What is a slip ring? A slip ring helps transfer electrical power or electrical signals in a rotary motion. A slip ring keeps wires from being tangled or broken when spun in a circle on a rotating shaft or mechanical mechanism.
#slipring #fabrication #electronicarts
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#slipring #electronics #electronicarts

[@Dzeroed]

I wanted to find out how they worked. Thanks to you explaining exactly what I knew they were, my brain figured it out. Thanks for wasting my body's energy, without a slip ring.

[@WhatMakeArt]

Glad it was helpful 🎡

[@Dzeroed]

@@WhatMakeArt I thought they would be circular and horizontal with the wires making contact if you get what I mean- I didn't think about a cylinder with contacts running on wee tracks, obviously much easier to keep the contacts in check

[@WhatMakeArt]

Absolutely, glad folks smarter than me designed and built them

[@Dzeroed]

@@WhatMakeArt I was thinking exactly the same thing 😂😂😂

[@DuhRake]

Perfect timing, I was just wondering about this yesterday. Thanks for sharing!

[@WhatMakeArt]

Glad it helped, big versions of these are common in wind turbines and anything else that spins

[@superman-wq9ij]

Ct scanners

[@PopcornOnCouchAnime]

Thank you so much the book i was reading did not translate this well at all the visual helps so much and made me understand A LOT thank you !

[@WhatMakeArt]

Glad it helped 👍

[@SnowdarthStudios]

Great video! I was just reading the documentation of a high speed antenna positioner and this was very handy to find!

[@WhatMakeArt]

Glad it helped, hope your project works out well 👍

[@phiwokuhlechamane1004]

Awesome translation. The thought of how electronics on tank turrets are provided with electrical power has been bugging me for a while. But KNOW I KNOW‼️

[@WhatMakeArt]

Always fun to know

[@schlomoshekelstein908]

this isnt how they work on tank turrets though lol

[@WhatMakeArt]

more knowing

[@GodBeluga]

Good explanation. Thank you

[@WhatMakeArt]

👍

[@cryora]

How would you mount this to say a sensor on a servo, so that the servo arm spins on the same axis as the slip ring, while still mechanically separating the servo arm from the gearbox?

[@WhatMakeArt]

This particular slip ring is a little big for typical small electronic servos, but the basic concept is that the moving part of the slip ring would be mounted on a shaft that is attached to the central shaft of the servo motor. Then the non-spinning part of the slip ring would be attached to the body of the servo. The order would be: servo motor body, non-moving slip ring body, shaft going through moving part of slip ring out to servo arm. Then the sensor wires can run down the servo arm and into the slip ring = super scary robot and computer vision, facial tracking, or just making enough fun electronics project

[@abumoslemtamer7331]

Thank you so much !

[@WhatMakeArt]

Welcome so much 👍

[@youngrevival9715]

They use these on excavators or material handling machines. I found that out today

[@WhatMakeArt]

That's pretty cool, thanks for sharing

[@WobbleJunkie]

But how does it work on the inside? How does it make connection?

[@WhatMakeArt]

With sprung brushes like an old brushed drill or angle grinder

[@xsm5525]

is this what they use on funfair rides to have lights on them?

[@WhatMakeArt]

Possibly a larger version like the slip rings on wind turbines

[@drokodroko]

Is it possible to “stack” these to provide more wires? Need to run power but also multiple speaker cables and/or 1/4” leads

[@WhatMakeArt]

Yes with clever routing of the wires through or around the first ring, eventually it is better to send lots of signals over a protocol like Ethernet

[@stu6097]

How do you mount the blue one? I see a little thing underneath but that doesnt seem like enough for mounting.

[@WhatMakeArt]

A shaft goes through the center hollow bore of the slip ring that mounts to the shaft with three set screws For the stationary end there is a protruding "U" shaped tab that can accept a locking pin to keep it from rotating

[@stu6097]

@@WhatMakeArt It would be nice to the locking pin being used.

[@WhatMakeArt]

Yes, I need to make a video about mounting slip rings, in the meantime you can see more images of this slip ring on this sales page of a similar product, often the tab is attached under the slip ring to prevent damage during shipping, it can be removed and reattached for mounting, m.aliexpress.us/item/2261799836246322.html

[@Rwide88]

I want to transfer usb 3.0 data through one of these somewhat cheap 22 mm aliexpress slip rings.. Do you think it could work, or would i need to get a real "usb slip ring". Those are very expensive..

[@WhatMakeArt]

If the distance isn't far it is worth a shot

[@Rwide88]

@@WhatMakeArt thanks. I will defenantly try one of these for power delivery, but for data I will try usb device sharing over wifi6 first using a single board computer. Hopefully it will be fast enough...

[@WhatMakeArt]

@Rwide88 good luck with the project

[@ampman5357]

What frequency range are the “elements” stable through?

[@WhatMakeArt]

You would need to read the data sheet for a particular slip ring, but you can sent video and Ethernet over them

[@ampman5357]

@@WhatMakeArt sounds promising! Thank you for the info!

[@shaneschuller2513]

I'm curious, what is the purpose of a slip ring?

[@WhatMakeArt]

A slip ring allows for electrical connection on something that spins 360 degrees. If you used wires, then the wires would break after a full turn or so. But by using a slip ring, power and or data can be continuously transferred across a rotating body.

[@shaneschuller2513]

@@WhatMakeArt That is very interesting. Wish I knew this before 😀, life would've been easier. Thank you

[@undefinedundefined1752]

thanks for the explanation but how do the innards work and how do i make one from just parts?

[@WhatMakeArt]

I believe they work like brushes work for electric motors in a drill, I think you would probably be better using an off-the-shelf part then building your own, especially with higher voltages

[@undefinedundefined1752]

@@WhatMakeArt thanks for the info but, I'm not working with higher voltages with it and am just doing home experiments with home made electronics as a fun pass time because it is interesting.

[@WhatMakeArt]

Sounds like a fun project, there are videos of exploded views of slip rings on KZbin that might me helpful for making a diy project, good luck, and post any cool results

[@undefinedundefined1752]

@@WhatMakeArt thanks, I will check them out.

[@vuoanvan2525]

Xin giá

[@WhatMakeArt]

👍