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Slip rings allow electrical power, signals and data to pass between stationary and rotating components of a rotary index table. When combined with a rotary union, the system can also supply air or fluids to tooling and fixtures while allowing continuous rotation. Selecting the right slip ring depends on voltage, current, communication protocol, number of circuits, pneumatic requirements, rotation and the needs of the tooling mounted to the table.
Rotary Index tables with more than two stations and or being used in a single direction need provisions in place to allow for access to air, electric power, communications or a combination of the three. Motion Index Drives offers many standard or custom designed rotary slip ring packages with a variety of options for communication, power and air requirements for rotary index table applications. We can take standard flying lead slip rings and assemble any connectors you made need to plug into your power and communication ports without the need to hardwire at assembly. Find out what options may be best or more cost effective for your application and how to apply them.
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Motion Index Drives MX Slip Ring Options
Then introduce MX150, MX230 and MX470 and internally link to the main slip-ring product page/catalog.
| Model | Best Used For |
|---|---|
| MX150 | Power and air requirements |
| MX230 | Power, air and communication |
| MX470 | Applications requiring convenient plug-in connector integration |
What is a slip ring used for?
A slip ring transfers electrical power, signals or data between stationary and rotating components. In rotary indexing applications, it allows power and communication to reach tooling and fixtures mounted on a rotating table without conventional wiring restricting rotation.
Why are slip rings used on rotary index tables?
Slip rings allow rotating fixtures to maintain electrical and communication connections as the table indexes or rotates. This is particularly useful for applications with multiple stations or continuous/unidirectional rotation where standard cable routing may restrict table movement.
Can a slip ring transmit Ethernet or ProfiNet?
Yes. Slip rings can be configured to transmit industrial communication protocols in addition to electrical power. Motion Index Drives offers configurations compatible with communication including ProfiNet, Profibus, DeviceNet and CANbus.
Can a slip ring provide air to pneumatic fixtures?
The electrical slip ring itself transfers electrical power or signals. A rotary union can be integrated with the slip ring assembly to transfer compressed air or fluids to rotating tooling and fixtures.
Can a slip ring transmit three-phase power?
Yes. Depending on the configuration, MID slip ring systems can accommodate high-voltage power requirements, including up to 600 VAC three-phase.
How do I choose the right slip ring for a rotary index table?
Start with the tooling requirements, including voltage, amperage, number of electrical circuits, communication protocols, pneumatic or fluid requirements, rotational speed, available mounting space and environmental conditions. These specifications determine the appropriate slip ring and rotary union
