Application of slewing bearings in steel production enterprises

Nov 15, 2023

In steel production enterprises, two critical pieces of equipment use slewing bearings: the ladle turntable and the stacker and reclaimer in the material yard. The ladle turntable is a rotating device used to connect the spoon and the tundish during the pouring process of molten steel. It is mainly used in the continuous casting process of steel enterprises and is one of the vital equipment to achieve the constant pouring of molten steel. The stacker reclaimer is an essential piece of equipment in the steel plant yard and is used to stack bulk materials continuously and efficiently.

The slewing bearings on the stacker-reclaimer and ladle turntable in the steel plant are critical supporting and rotating components. The way they work is crucial to the regular operation of the equipment and the smooth progress of the production process. The following is a detailed introduction to the working mode of these slewing bearings.

Slewing bearings on the stacker and reclaimer

The stacker and reclaimer is an essential piece of equipment in the stockyard of a steel plant and is used to stack and retrieve bulk materials continuously and efficiently. The slewing bearing plays a vital role in the stacker and reclaimer. Its working method is as follows:

Bearing: The slewing bearing carries the weight of the stacker and reclaimer and various loads during operation, including material weight, equipment weight, impact and vibration, etc. Slewing bearings must possess sufficient strength and rigidity to guarantee stability and safety. Any shortcomings in these qualities could compromise the functionality of the bearings and potentially cause safety hazards. Any compromise on these two factors could lead to severe consequences.

Rotation: The slewing support bearing needs to maintain a rotating state so that the stacker and reclaimer can continuously carry out reclaiming and stacking operations. The rotation speed and rotation accuracy will directly affect the production efficiency of the equipment and the effect of material handling. Slewing bearings usually adopt gear or sprocket transmission to achieve low-speed and high-torque rotation.

Sealing: There is a sealing structure between the slewing bearing and the stacker and reclaimer to prevent dust, sand, and other impurities from entering the inside of the bearings, causing bearing wear and failure. The sealing structure usually adopts the form of a labyrinth seal, mechanical seal, or contact seal to achieve a good sealing effect.

Lubrication: Slewing ring bearings require good lubrication to reduce friction and wear. The lubrication system usually applies lubricant, such as grease or oil, to the bearings regularly to keep the bearings in good operating condition. The lubrication system requires regular maintenance to ensure adequate lubricant supply and suitable bearings lubrication.

Monitoring: It's essential to guarantee safety and dependability. The working status of the slewing bearing needs to be monitored in real-time. Monitoring systems usually have sensors and instruments to monitor bearing temperature, rotation speed, vibration, and other parameters. Analyzing these data allows potential problems to be discovered in time, and corresponding measures can be taken.

Maintenance: Slewing bearings require regular maintenance during use. It includes regular cleaning, inspection, grease replacement, and other measures to ensure the bearings' regular operation and service life. At the same time, seriously worn bearings need to be replaced in time to ensure the regular operation of the equipment.

Cooperation: Good cooperation is required between the slewing ring bearing and other components to achieve the regular operation of the stacker reclaimer. For example, precise coordination with features such as the transmission system and traveling mechanism is required to ensure the overall coordination and stability of the equipment.

The picture above is the super large diameter slewing ring bearing customized by FV for customers, which is used in the stacker and reclaimer of the steel plant.

Slewing bearings on the ladle turntable

The ladle turntable is a rotating device used to connect the spoon and the tundish during the molten steel pouring process. The slewing ring bearing plays a vital role in the ladle turntable, and its working method is as follows:

Support: The slewing bearing ring bears the weight of the spoon and molten steel and the impact force during the pouring process. It is crucial to implement measures for turntable stability and security.

Rotation: Under the action of hydraulic force and mechanical force, the slewing bearing maintains a rotating state, allowing the spoon to rotate smoothly. Rotation speed and rotation accuracy will directly affect the efficiency and safety of pouring. Electric or hydraulic motors usually drive slewing ring bearings to achieve low-speed and high-torque rotation.

Sealing: There is a sealing structure between the slewing bearing and the spoon to prevent leakage of molten steel during rotation. The sealing structure is usually made of ceramic or rubber materials to ensure its sealing performance and service life.

Adjustment: The position and attitude of the ladle turntable need to be accurately adjusted to adapt to continuous casting machines of different specifications and pouring processes. Slewing bearings need to have an adjustment function to achieve precise adjustment of position and attitude through devices such as electric hydraulic cylinders or mechanical adjustment mechanisms.

Monitoring: Real-time monitoring of the working status of the slew ring bearing is crucial. Monitoring systems usually have sensors and instruments to monitor bearing temperature, rotation speed, vibration, and other parameters. Analyzing these data allows potential problems to be discovered in time, and corresponding measures can be taken.

Maintenance: During use, slewing ring bearings require regular maintenance (slewing ring bearing repair). It includes regular cleaning, inspection, grease replacement, and other measures to ensure normal operation and service life. At the same time, seriously worn bearings need to be replaced in time to ensure the regular operation of the ladle turntable.

Cooperation: Good cooperation is required between the slewing ring bearing and other components to achieve the regular operation of the ladle turntable. For example, the transmission system and support structures require precise coordination to ensure overall coordination and stability.

In short, the slewing bearings on the stacker reclaimer and ladle turntable in steel plants play a vital role in the regular operation of the equipment. They need to withstand various loads, maintain a rotating state, and achieve precise adjustment and real-time monitoring to ensure the equipment's regular operation and the production process's smooth progress.