Slip Rings for Surgical Robots

Surgical robotics is one of the most advanced and delicate fields in automation. In this domain, every component must ensure flawless performance, and slip rings play a crucial role in enabling freedom of movement and reliable transmission of power, signals, and data. With decades of expertise, Servotecnica offers cutting-edge solutions to address the challenges of this continuously evolving market.

Slip rings are used in the joints of robotic arms, allowing them to rotate freely. This is essential in surgical applications, where robots must guarantee precise movements without the limitations of traditional wiring systems.

Slip rings are often a bottleneck in robotic systems. All signals, data, and power pass through a single point, making them critical components. Any failure can have severe consequences, especially in high-risk medical environments. For this reason, Servotecnica designs slip rings equipped with individual test reports, minimizing the possibility of errors.

In the medical field, reliability is key. Servotecnica’s slip rings ensure stable and consistent transmission of power, signals, and data—critical for the success of complex surgical procedures.

Another strength is customization. Each surgical robot is unique and requires tailored solutions. Servotecnica works closely with engineers to develop specific slip rings, performing customized tests with specialized equipment to guarantee optimal safety and performance.

Servotecnica’s solutions also stand out for their compactness. Unlike bulky wiring systems, our miniaturized slip rings offer greater flexibility and precision, enabling robots to operate in extremely confined spaces. This design eliminates the mechanical resistance caused by cable bending entirely.

Design Challenges for Surgical Slip Rings

The development of slip rings for surgical applications must overcome several challenges:

• Dimensional constraints: Components must be extremely compact, fitting into tight spaces without compromising reliability.
• Quality and traceability: Each slip ring undergoes rigorous quality control testing to meet the highest standards in the medical field.
• Flexibility: Slip rings must be designed to meet all application requirements, starting from a specific analysis in collaboration with the client.

Ideally, a slip ring should function like a cable, without introducing variations in electrical performance. However, contact points and dynamic material requirements can introduce discontinuities. Servotecnica is committed to minimizing these interferences, ensuring high performance and immunity to disturbances, even in high-frequency transmissions.

Thanks to miniaturization, slip rings can accommodate many circuits in limited spaces, providing high power density to support significant energy loads without overheating or interrupting operations.

Servotecnica offers a wide range of slip rings, from standard models with diameters as small as 6 mm to custom designs with through bores up to 100 mm. The company excels in customization, providing tailored solutions for each client:

• Mechanical dimensions and interfaces
• Special materials and treatments
• Specific cables and connectors

High-frequency data transmission is a core strength, with Ethernet solutions supporting up to 5 Gb/s for fast and reliable communication. Each slip ring undergoes rigorous testing to ensure flawless performance.

Servotecnica’s ability to co-engineer solutions with clients is one of its main strengths. The company collaborates with customers from specification to final testing, ensuring each product integrates seamlessly into their applications.

With over 40 years of experience across various industrial sectors, Servotecnica draws on cross-industry knowledge to tackle complex challenges. Additionally, the after-sales team is always available to support clients in problem analysis and resolution, ensuring long-term reliability and satisfaction.