100kg Pan Tilt Unit Customization: Integrated High-Power Slip Ring Technology for 360° Continuous Rotation

9 × 15A Pass-Through Circuits · 135A Maximum Combined Current · 5kW+ · IP66 Protection · ±0.1° Accuracy

Solution Overview

In radar, directional antenna, and counter-drone systems, pan tilt unit not only support heavy payloads but also transmit reliably high currents, control power, and communication signals. This deeply customized heavy duty pan tilt head features a top-mounted payload capacity of 100kg, continuous 360° horizontal rotation, and a mechanically limited tilt range of −50° to +70°. Maximum pan and tilt speeds are 30°/s and 15°/s, respectively, with a positioning repeatability of ±0.1°. The pan tilt unit provides IP66 protection and operates at temperatures from −40°C to +65°C. Its integrated high-power slip ring technology incorporates nine sets of 15A positive and negative pass-through circuits, 28V DC system power, RS485 communication, and four pass-through signal lines, providing clearly defined interfaces for mechanical load support, power transfer during rotation, and cable management.

Key Specifications

Cable Pin Assignments:

Base on the provided pan tilt unit wiring documentation, the main power connector uses nine red/black wire pairs. Clearly defined positive and negative pairs simplify assembly, commissioning, and field maintenance, while helping keep high-current circuits and communication signals organized separately.

Why Does a 100kg Heavy Duty Pan Tilt Head Need a High-Power Slip Ring Technology?

For a rotary platform with a 100kg pan tilt, achieving 360° rotation is only a basic requirement. Equally critical is the ability to supply stable power to the payload equipment throughout continuous rotation. Conventional rotary mechanisms typically support currents of up to 20A, while this extensively customized ZIWIN pan tilt unit provides 9 / 15A pass-through power channels, delivering a maximum combined current capacity of 135A to meet higher-current power requirements.

In applications for example radar scanning, antenna direction finding, and counter-drone electronic optical tracking, equipment often requires prolonged back-and-forth or continuous rotation. Routing power, control, and signal cables directly across the rotating axis can lead to cable tangling, pulling, excessive bending, and stress on connectors. A high-power slip ring technology is a reliable electrical connection between the stationary and rotating components, enabling 360° continuous rotation while delivering uninterrupted, stable high-power transmission to the payload equipment.

Nine 15A Pass-Through Circuits: What Does a Max Combined Current of 135A Meaning?

The main power channel in this configuration consists of nine 15A positive/negative pass-through circuits. Every circuit includes one red 15A+ wire and one black 15A− wire, for a total of 18 main power wires. Adding the rated current of each circuit gives a max combined current of:

9 circuits × 15A per circuit = 135A

Power is calculated using P = U × I. If all nine circuits operate within the applicable voltage ratings, temperature-rise limits, and derating requirements, the total power at an input voltage of 48V is:

48V × 135A = 6.48kW

Under these conditions, the combined power transmission capacity over 5kW

Radar Applications

Ground detection radar, low-altitude detection radar, and testing platforms usually require periodic scanning or continuous pan rotation. This pan tilt unit supports continuous 360° pan rotation, with stepless speed adjustment from 0.01°/s to 30°/s. It also supports 200 preset positions, auto scanning, and patrol functions to accommodate various scanning and positioning requirements.

The high-power slip ring technology provides stable power to radar power amplifiers, processing units, and other equipment on the rotating side. This enables the radar array and supporting electronics to be integrated directly onto the rotating platform, shortening signal transmission paths and reducing transmission losses. Operators can remotely control the pan tilt unit’s azimuth by the RS485 interface using the PELCO-D protocol for scanning and positioning.

With a top-mounted payload capacity of 100kg pan tilt, it can support a radar array, its associated control enclosure, and wiring harnesses, providing stable load-bearing and rotational support for an combined radar system.

Antenna Applications

Directional communication antennas, direction-finding antennas, and tracking antennas need stable, precise pointing and may incorporate RF units, power amplifiers, heaters, and position sensors. This pan tilt unit provides both positioning accuracy and positioning repeatability of ±0.1°, supports 200 preset positions, and features an automatic return-to-home function to support repeated pointing and unattended inspection requirements.

Nine 15A pass-through power circuits allow individual functional modules to receive separate power feeds. Together with signal channels for control and status feedback, they integrate power and signal connections through the rotating interface within the pan tilt unit, reducing outside cable tangling and strain.

If RF signals need to be transmitted from the rotating payload to an output at the base of the pan tilt unit, we can also made an special RF rotary joint for the required operating frequencies within the 3–18 GHz range, enabling RF signal transmission between the stationary and rotating sides.

The ZIWIN team has extensive experience in developing customized pan tilt solutions for customers in the world. We help customers address technical challenges in real-world applications, tailoring each solution to their project’s payload, rotary power transmission, and precision control requirements. If you have any project needs, please contact us at sales@ziwincctv.com to discuss a deeply customized solution for your application.