ingiant technology   |   industry new  | Feb 8.2025

On the grand stage of industrial manufacturing, welding robots are playing an increasingly crucial role. With their precise and efficient welding operations, they have significantly improved product quality and production efficiency. However, behind this spotlight, there is a key component that often goes unnoticed - the slip ring. Today, let's uncover the mystery of the application of slip rings in welding robots.

Slip Rings: The Flexible Hub of Welding Robots

Welding robots need to move flexibly in three - dimensional space, constantly adjusting the welding angle and position. A slip ring, as a device capable of transmitting power, signals, and data between rotating and stationary parts, is like the "flexible hub" of the robot. It allows the robot's arm to receive and transmit various information stably while rotating continuously, ensuring the smooth progress of the welding operation.

Imagine if there were no slip rings, the welding robot's arm would have to stop and reconnect the circuits every time it rotated a certain angle. This would greatly reduce work efficiency and might even lead to unstable welding quality. Thanks to the slip ring, the robot can achieve continuous and uninterrupted rotation, just like a dancer freely moving on the stage, making the welding operation more efficient and precise.

Unique Advantages of Slip Rings for Welding Robots

Improving Welding Precision

During the welding process, even the slightest signal interference or power fluctuation can affect the welding quality. Slip rings adopt advanced electrical transmission technology, which can effectively reduce signal attenuation and interference, ensuring that the welding robot receives accurate control signals. This enables the robot to precisely control the welding current, voltage, and speed, thus achieving high - quality welding and significantly increasing the product qualification rate.

Enhancing Equipment Reliability

Welding robots usually need to operate for long periods in harsh industrial environments, facing multiple challenges such as high temperatures, dust, and vibrations. Slip rings are specially designed and manufactured with good wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and anti - interference capabilities. They can work stably in complex environments, reducing equipment failures, lowering maintenance costs, and minimizing downtime, providing reliable support for enterprise production.

Expanding Robot Functions

With the continuous development of industrial automation, the functions of welding robots are becoming more and more diverse. In addition to basic welding operations, they also need to have functions such as visual inspection and data transmission. Slip rings can transmit multiple types of signals simultaneously, such as video signals, control signals, and sensor data, providing strong support for the expansion of robot functions. Through slip rings, welding robots can communicate and exchange data with other devices in real - time, realizing more intelligent production management.

robots are mainly divided into the following categories:

Classification by application field Industrial robots:

Mainly used in industrial production fields, such as automobile manufacturing, electronic equipment production, etc. Common ones include welding robots, handling robots, assembly robots, etc., which can improve production efficiency, quality and consistency. Service robots: Provide various services for people, including household service robots, such as sweeping robots, window cleaning robots; medical service robots, such as surgical robots, rehabilitation robots; and catering service robots, guide robots, etc.

Military robots:Used for military tasks, such as bomb disposal robots, reconnaissance robots, unmanned combat aircraft, etc., which can reduce the risks of soldiers in dangerous tasks.

Educational robots:Used in the field of education to help students learn programming, science, mathematics and other knowledge, such as Lego robots, Ability Storm robots, etc., through building and programming to cultivate students' hands-on ability and logical thinking ability.

Entertainment robots:For the purpose of entertainment, such as robot pets, humanoid performance robots, etc., can bring fun and interactive experience to people.

Classification by control method

Remote control robot:operated by remote control or remote control equipment, the operator can control the robot's movements and behaviors in real time, often used in dangerous environment operations or occasions requiring precise operation, such as bomb disposal, underwater detection, etc.

Autonomous robot:has the ability to make independent decisions and actions, can perceive the environment through sensors, and use algorithms and models for analysis, planning and decision-making, such as autonomous mobile robots, autonomous navigation drones, etc.

Hybrid control robot:combines the characteristics of remote control and autonomous control, can operate autonomously in some cases, and can also accept manual remote control when necessary to adapt to different task requirements and environmental conditions.

Classification by structural morphology

Humanoid robot:has a body structure and appearance similar to that of humans, usually with a head, torso, limbs and other parts, and can imitate human movements and behaviors, such as Honda's ASIMO, Boston Dynamics' Atlas, etc.

Wheeled robot:uses wheels as the main mode of movement, has the characteristics of fast movement speed and high efficiency, and is suitable for movement on flat ground, such as some logistics distribution robots, inspection robots, etc.

Tracked robots:adopt track transmission, have good passability and stability, can travel in complex terrain such as rugged mountain roads, snow, sand and other environments, and are often used in military, rescue and other fields.

Legged robots:realize movement through multiple legs, such as quadruped robots, hexapod robots, etc., have better flexibility and adaptability, and can walk in uneven terrain or narrow spaces.

Soft robots:adopt soft materials and structures, have high flexibility and adaptability, and can adapt to complex environments and shapes, such as some soft robots used for medical minimally invasive surgery and pipeline inspection.

Classification by driving mode

Electric robots:use electric motors as the main power source, with the advantages of high control accuracy, fast response speed, clean and environmental protection, etc., is currently the most widely used driving mode, most industrial robots and service robots are electric driven.

Hydraulic robots:use the pressure generated by the hydraulic system to drive the joints and actuators of the robot, with the characteristics of large output force and high power density, and are often used in large industrial robots or robots that require large load capacity.

Pneumatic robot:uses compressed air as the power source and drives the movement of the robot through pneumatic components such as cylinders and air motors. It has the advantages of low cost, simple maintenance and high safety, but the output force is relatively small and is suitable for some light load and fast action occasions.

Automobile manufacturing industry

BMW automobile production line

Application: In BMW's automobile body welding workshop, a large number of welding robots are used. Slip rings are used in the rotating joints of robots to ensure that the robots can stably transmit the current, control signals and sensor data required for welding during multi-angle and multi-posture welding. For example, when welding the side of the body, the robot needs to rotate and swing frequently. The slip ring ensures the stable supply of welding power, so that the welding current fluctuation is controlled within a very small range, ensuring the quality and consistency of the weld.
Effect: After using welding robots equipped with slip rings, the welding efficiency of BMW's production line has been greatly improved, the welding defect rate has been significantly reduced, and the product quality has been effectively guaranteed. At the same time, the high reliability of slip rings reduces the robot's downtime and improves the overall operating efficiency of the production line.

BYD New Energy Vehicle Factory

Application: In BYD's new energy vehicle production, welding robots use slip rings to achieve stable transmission of signals and power. In the welding process of the battery tray, the welding parameters need to be precisely controlled to ensure the safety and stability of the battery. The slip ring helps the robot accurately receive instructions from the control system and achieve precise adjustment of parameters such as welding speed and current size.
Effect: Through the application of slip rings in welding robots, the welding quality of BYD battery trays has been significantly improved, production efficiency has increased by about 30%, and production costs have been reduced, enhancing the competitiveness of products in the market.

Engineering machinery manufacturing industry

Caterpillar engineering machinery manufacturing

Application: Caterpillar uses welding robots to weld parts when producing large engineering machinery such as excavators and loaders. The slip ring is installed on the wrist joint of the robot, allowing the robot to rotate freely in complex welding tasks. For example, when welding the boom structure of the excavator, the robot needs to weld at different angles and positions. The slip ring can transmit multiple signals and power at the same time, ensuring the robot's motion accuracy and welding quality during the welding process.
Effect: The application of slip rings enables Caterpillar's welding robots to adapt to complex welding conditions, improving welding quality and production efficiency. At the same time, due to the long life and high reliability of the slip ring, the maintenance cost and downtime of the equipment are reduced, and the production efficiency of the enterprise is improved.

XCMG Engineering Machinery Welding

Application: In the welding production of cranes, road rollers and other engineering machinery, XCMG's welding robots use slip rings to achieve 360-degree unlimited rotation welding. During the welding process of the crane boom, the robot needs to rotate continuously and maintain stable welding parameters. The slip ring ensures the reliable transmission of welding power, sensor signals and control signals, enabling the robot to accurately complete the welding task.
Effect: The use of slip rings has significantly improved the quality and efficiency of XCMG's welding robots in boom welding, and the overall performance and reliability of the products have also been enhanced, further consolidating XCMG's position in the engineering machinery industry.

Aerospace Manufacturing Industry

Boeing Aircraft Manufacturing

Application: In the manufacturing process of Boeing aircraft, advanced welding robots are used for the welding of some precision parts. Slip rings play a key role in these robots, especially when welding complex parts such as aircraft engine blades, which require high-precision control and stable power supply. Slip rings can ensure the accuracy of signal transmission and the stability of power transmission when robots perform fine welding in a small space.
Effect: The application of slip rings improves the welding quality and precision of Boeing aircraft parts, ensures the performance and reliability of key parts such as aircraft engines, and provides strong guarantee for the safe flight of aircraft.

A welding project of a certain component of China Aerospace

Application: In the welding of aerospace parts, the welding quality and stability are extremely high. After the welding robot is equipped with slip rings, it can perform welding operations in test equipment simulating the space environment. Slip rings can adapt to extreme environmental conditions such as temperature and vacuum, ensure the stable transmission of signals and power during welding, and ensure the welding quality of aerospace parts.
Effect: The successful application of slip rings in aerospace welding robots has provided important support for the development of my country's aerospace industry, improved the manufacturing level and reliability of aerospace parts, and promoted the progress of my country's aerospace technology.

Types of slip rings needed in welding robots

Pneumatic-hydraulic-electric hybrid  slip ring -DHS Series

Features: ingiant company offers combination slip ring ,it is a collection of pneumatic slip rings, electrical slip rings, hydraulic slip rings, and rotary gas joints. It can transmit tiny currents, power currents, or various data signals of any rotating body, can transmit hydraulic power of 0.8 Mpa-20 Mpa, and can also transmit compressed air or other special gases. The number of electric slip ring channels is 2-200, the number of hydraulic or pneumatic rotary joints is 1-36, and the speed is 10rpm-300rpm.
Application scenarios: When the welding robot is working, it not only needs to transmit power and control signals, but also may need to transmit welding gas, coolant and other media. The gas-liquid-electric hybrid conductive slip ring can integrate these functions together to achieve multi-functional transmission, making the structure of the welding robot more compact and improving its working efficiency and reliability.

High current slip ring-50A-2000A 

Features: we company offer large current slip rings ,it can transmit large currents of 50A or more, and can pass currents of up to several hundred amperes. With unique design and exquisite craftsmanship, the inter-ring structure is designed into a special empty frame type, which is easy to maintain and conducive to heat dissipation. Made of imported carbon brushes, it has a large current carrying capacity and less dust. The current can reach 2000A per ring, and the operation is stable and reliable. Application scenario: The welding process requires a large current to generate enough heat to melt the metal. The high-current slip ring can meet the welding robot's demand for high-current transmission, ensuring that the welding power supply can stably provide the required current for the welding gun to ensure welding quality and efficiency.

Fiber Optic Slip Ring-HS Series

Features: With optical fiber as the data carrier, it can enable uninterrupted transmission of optical signals between rotating parts and stationary parts. It has the characteristics of durability in harsh environments, no contact and friction, and long life (up to more than 10 million revolutions, more than 100 million revolutions for a single core). It can realize the transmission of multiple signals by combining multiple-channel technology, such as video, series data, network data, etc., and the signal transmission with optical fiber has no leakage, no electromagnetic interference, and can be transmitted over long distances.
Application scenarios: In some welding robots that have high requirements for welding quality and need to monitor the welding process in real time, fiber optic slip rings can be used to transmit high-definition video signals and transmit images of the welding area to the monitoring system so that operators can observe the welding situation in real time. In addition, for welding robots that need to work in coordination with other high-precision equipment, fiber optic slip rings can be used to transmit high-precision control signals and data to ensure the robot's motion accuracy and control accuracy.

Capsule slip ring-12mm 6-108 ring

Features: Designed for small and medium-sized equipment that requires 360° rotation to conduct electricity or transmit control signals, data, and video signals. It adopts an art surface treatment process and ultra-hard gold plating treatment to ensure extremely low resistance fluctuations and ultra-long working life. It is mainly used to transmit weak control signals and weak currents of small and medium-sized systems, and has the advantages of low torque, low loss, maintenance-free, and low electrical noise.
Application scenarios: For some small or compactly designed welding robots, especially in some working environments with limited space, the small size of the cap-type slip ring enables it to adapt well. It can provide power and signal transmission for the miniaturized joints or rotating parts of the welding robot to ensure flexible movement and precise control of the robot.

Gigabit Ethernet slip ring

Features: It can rotate 360 ​​degrees to transmit a single-channel Gigabit Ethernet signal. It is designed to transmit 100M/1000M Ethernet signals. It has the advantages of stable transmission, no packet loss, no string code, small return loss, small insertion loss, strong anti-interference ability, and support for POE. It can mix electrical power channels and signal channels, and can transmit up to 8 Gigabit network channels at the same time. It provides direct plug-in and unplug of RJ45 connectors.
Application scenario: In automated welding production lines, welding robots usually need to communicate and control high-speed data with other equipment. Gigabit Ethernet slip rings can meet the high-speed data transmission requirements between welding robots and host computers, controllers, sensors and other equipment, and realize automated control and remote monitoring of the welding process.

Challenges and Thoughts in the Application of Slip Rings

However, the application of slip rings in welding robots is not without difficulties. As the performance of welding robots continues to improve, the requirements for slip rings are also getting higher. For example, higher rotational speeds, larger currents, and more signal channels pose huge challenges to the design and manufacturing of slip rings.
Moreover, the quality and reliability of slip rings directly affect the overall performance of welding robots. The quality of slip ring products on the market varies widely. If an inappropriate one is selected, it may lead to frequent robot failures and affect production efficiency. Therefore, when choosing slip rings, enterprises need to fully consider factors such as product quality, performance, brand, and after - sales service.
At the same time, we should also think about how to further optimize the design and technology of slip rings to meet the future development needs of welding robots. For example, researching and developing more efficient and reliable slip ring materials to improve the transmission speed and stability of slip rings; exploring new slip ring structures and manufacturing processes to reduce costs and volume and improve the integration and adaptability of slip rings.

Conclusion Slip rings

although not very conspicuous on the stage of welding robots, are the key components indispensable for the efficient operation of robots. They silently contribute to the precision, stability, and efficiency of welding robots. In the future development of industrial automation, slip rings will surely continue to play an important role. Meanwhile, we also need to continuously explore and innovate to meet the ever - increasing challenges and demands. Let's pay attention to the development of slip ring technology and contribute our own strength to the upgrading of welding robots and the progress of industrial manufacturing.