Companion structure
Thanks to their specific loading-bearing capacity, rothe erde® slewing bearings can transmit very high loads, even when they have relatively small diameters. The bolts made to connect the bearing with the companion structure have to be designed accordingly.
For efficiency reasons, the slewing bearings’ bearing cross sections are kept relatively small in relation to their diameter. Thus, the bearings rely on a rigid and torsion-resistant companion structure, which largely prevents deformations from the acting operational loads by means of frictional bolt connections.

The companion structure's vertical bars
Load limits
The generation of peaks in small sectors must be avoided. The curve shape is only allowed to evenly rise and fall within the 0° - 90° - 180° range once. Otherwise, bottlenecks in the raceway can occur which lead to local overloads.
The companion structure’s vertical bars must be close to the rolling wheel’s diameter, as shown in the adjacent image. This is how the deflection of the contact surfaces is kept within the permissible limits.

Companion connector
Rings
thyssenkrupp rothe erde manufactures seamlessly rolled rings in a variety of cross sections and profilings - processed raw or based on customers’ drawings.
This is how, for example, ring carriers provide crucial advantages for the companion structure:
- Torsion-resistant mounting of the slewing bearing
- Optimal flow of force between rolling bearing and companion structure
The slewing bearing's direct contact area must always be even so that the bearings are not tensed when screwing. This is why the contact areas need to be mechanically processed.