Slewing bearings from Rothe Erde - Market leader with over 160 years of experience

How does a slewing bearing work?

A slewing bearing, also known as a slewing ring, is a machine element that absorbs all axial and radial forces and the resulting tilting moments, in a single, self-retaining and ready-to-install bearing unit.

The goal is to quickly and easily transfer the forces acting on the slewing bearing to the adjacent structural machine elements. The overall design of the product, including the inner and outer rings, the gear cutting, rolling elements and mounting holes, enables it to transmit the applied loads and allow smooth rotation at the same time while maintaining a compact footprint. Slewing bearings enable and facilitate the rotational motion of wind turbines, excavators, cranes and tunnel boring machines, just to name a few. The slewing bearing offers many advantages compared to other solutions, including taking up significantly less space, weighing less and being more cost-effective in most cases.

The world in motion - where are slewing bearings used?

rothe erde^® slewing bearings prove themselves as important mechanical components in very diverse areas of applications. The applications and products are as varied as the slewing bearings themselves: they are individually designed and manufactured for each application. Find out which solutions are available in each industry:

The production process - how a ring is turned into a slewing bearing

The challenge of the production process is to manufacture a product that can withstand the intended operating conditions over the long term. Among others, these are:

• Installation, also in extreme conditions, e.g. in offshore wind turbines.

• High axial and radial forces, e.g. in machines used in the construction industry and infrastructure development

• Tilting moments, e.g. in large crane systems

• Heavy loads, e.g. in transport and conveying technology

As the leading manufacturer of slewing bearings, our aim is to create solutions and manufacture products that have an above average service life, even while being subjected to harsh operating conditions.

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Quality Assurance and shipping of a slewing bearing

The final inspection of the finished product is carried out internally by the certified quality assurance department or together with the customer and/or a designated 3^rd party. During this process, the functionality and geometry are checked in detail. The basis for the inspection is the specifications that were agreed to during the design development or those specified in the contract. The test results are recorded in a written test report and in the QA documentation. The scope of the documentation is defined together with the customer in advance.

After the final inspection, the slewing ring is ready to be properly packaged by our logistics department and readied for shipment. The transport takes place either directly to the construction site on site or initially to a seaport or airport. If the transport cannot be carried out with the standard modes of transport, special trucks, ships and aircrafts are used.

As a reliable slewing bearing manufacturer with production facilities located around the world (Americas, Europe, Asia), Rothe Erde stands for high-quality products and innovative solutions that are designed and manufactured according to all customer requirements, comprehensively and meticulously inspected before delivery and safely shipped to the final destination.

Consulting and service - complete product support from a single source

From planning and design to construction and delivery, Rothe Erde is always at your side as a reliable partner. We support you long beyond the warranty period to ensure the slewing bearing reaches its full service life. We offer assistance during installation and commissioning, inspection and maintenance services while the bearing is installed.

Find out more about our services