In short:Industrial slip rings, fibre optic rotary joints and media rotary unions from other makers can replace many SCHLEIFRING catalogue parts, but medical CT rings, contactless data links and qualified defence joints are usually application-specific designs, so equivalence has to be checked against the full specification.
What SCHLEIFRING makes
Schleifring GmbH is a German developer of rotary transmission systems: contacting slip rings and contactless rotary joints that pass power, signals, data and media between stationary and rotating parts. SCHLEIFRING and its product names are trademarks of their owner. The company describes an international team of around 800 people at five locations.
Its markets include aerospace, medical CT scanners, safety and defence (radar, surveillance and baggage scanners), wind energy and general industry. Products range from catalogue industrial slip rings to fibre optic rotary joints, media rotary joints, wind turbine pitch slip rings, defence rotary joints and the GigaCAP contactless data link.
Why engineers look for a SCHLEIFRING alternative
- Lead time on a catalogue or modified ring for a machine build.
- Second source for an industrial machine sold in volume.
- Budget, where a standard catalogue part can meet the requirement.
- A different mix of channels, such as adding Gigabit Ethernet, fibre or a pneumatic channel to an existing rotary interface.
- Obsolete machines. Older equipment may carry a ring whose original drawing is no longer supported, and a build-to-print or a close catalogue match is needed to keep it running. Our find a replacement service starts from the part label, drawing or photographs.
What to check before calling a slip ring equivalent
- Circuits. Count, current and voltage per ring, and any paralleled rings.
- Data and signals. Ethernet speed, fieldbus, encoder, video or RF, with error-rate targets.
- Fibre channels. Single or multi-mode, channel count, insertion loss and its variation in rotation.
- Media channels. Air, vacuum, hydraulic oil or water, with pressure, flow and port sizes.
- Speed. Maximum and continuous rpm, and continuous rotation or oscillation.
- Mechanics. Bore or shaft, outer diameter, length, mounting and anti-rotation.
- Environment. IP rating, temperature, humidity, vibration and shock; wind turbines add salt mist and wide temperature swings.
- Life and maintenance. Revolutions to service, brush wear and inspection access.
- Approvals. Medical, rail, marine, hazardous area or defence qualification where relevant.
Our guides on how to select a slip ring, how to specify a slip ring and Ethernet through slip rings explain each check.
Slip ring and rotary joint alternatives in our supply network
- High channel counts: the multi-channel slip ring carries up to 500 mixed power, data, fibre and RF channels in one unit.
- Ethernet: the Ethernet slip ring offers 100M or Gigabit channels with power and signal.
- Fibre optic: the FR Series fibre optic rotary joint handles single or multi-mode channels, and the fibre optic integrated electrical slip ring combines fibre with power and signal.
- Media: the QR Series pneumatic/hydraulic rotary joint and the pneumatic/hydraulic integrated electrical slip ring, with up to 16 gas or liquid channels at 10 MPa or more. See rotary unions.
- Harsh and outdoor: the waterproof slip ring (IP64 to IP68) and the large size slip ring for heavy plant.
- Temperature extremes: the high and low temperature slip ring is rated from −55 to +250 °C.
For wind turbine pitch systems, see slip rings for wind turbines.
How the comparison is made
The table under this text compares each SCHLEIFRING series we hold data for with the closest product from our supply network, on published figures only. “Equivalent” means a product that meets the stated specification for your application, confirmed by an engineer, not an identical part. Specify Motion is not affiliated with, authorised by or endorsed by Schleifring GmbH, and no logos are used. Names identify products only.
Where a part is a qualified or application-specific design, we will tell you honestly whether an alternative is realistic.
SCHLEIFRING series and the closest match from our supply network
Each row compares the highest published figures for the series. A match here is a starting point: an engineer confirms the fit for your load, duty, mounting and interface before recommending anything.
| SCHLEIFRING series | Type | Closest match |
|---|---|---|
| Defence and security rotary joints | Rugged and military slip rings | Ask an engineer |
| Fibre optic rotary joints (FORJ) | Fibre optic rotary joints | Fiber Optic Integrated Electrical Slip Ring meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds the figure compared |
| GigaCAP contactless data transmission | Slip rings | HR Series Faston Type Slip Ring Same product type |
| Industrial slip rings (catalogue range) | Slip rings | Multi-channel Slip Ring meets or exceeds the figures compared Meets or exceeds all 4 figures compared |
| Media rotary joints | Rotary unions and hybrid joints | Ask an engineer |
| Medical CT slip rings | Large-diameter slip rings | Ask an engineer |
| Wind turbine pitch slip ring | Slip rings | Multi-channel Slip Ring meets 2 of 3 figures Meets 2 of 3 figures compared |
Specify Motion is not affiliated with Schleifring GmbH. Brand and series names are used only to identify products. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Frequently asked questions
Can a SCHLEIFRING industrial slip ring be replaced with another make?
Often, if you match it circuit by circuit. List each ring's current and voltage, every signal and data channel, the speed, bore or shaft, envelope, mounting, connectors, sealing and life. Then check the contact technology and maintenance needs. Catalogue industrial rings are the most straightforward SCHLEIFRING parts to second-source.
Is there an alternative to SCHLEIFRING contactless data transmission?
Contactless rotary data links such as GigaCAP transfer data without sliding contacts, which removes contact wear on high-speed or high-data-rate axes. Our supply network does not currently list a contactless data link, so the alternatives are contacting Ethernet slip rings or fibre optic rotary joints, which suit many applications but are a different technology. An engineer can say which fits.
What about medical CT slip rings?
CT gantry slip rings combine very large bores, high power and very high data rates in a design built around one scanner. They are not catalogue parts, and an alternative would normally be a new development with the scanner maker's qualification. For servicing an existing scanner, the scanner manufacturer's own service route is usually the right one.
What should I send to get a SCHLEIFRING equivalent proposed?
Send the part number or drawing, the circuit list with current, voltage and signal type, data protocols and rates, fibre channels, media channels with pressure and fluid, speed, bore, envelope, mounting, environment, required life and any approvals or qualification standards. Photographs of the label and connectors help with older parts.
Sources
Figures are summarised from the sources above and from manufacturers' published data on the date shown. Always confirm against the current datasheet for your exact part.