Role Of Clutches And Breaks In Industrial Machines

By Author: Chris Holmes
Total Articles: 4
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Clutches and brakes have a role in transmitting torque by friction. It is determined by the magnitude of the force applied to the friction surface and the coefficient of friction there. Objective of every installation must be optimizing system reliability and minimizing the engagement shock loads.

Procurement of heavy duty clutches and brakes requires complete understanding of drive system parameters. The procurer must be aware of the capabilities of their products in diverse applications. The understanding is derived from past experience and sound testing.

There are suppliers that recommend clients to use data application forms for the procurement as it enables their executives to provide close assistance. The information on these forms makes selection easier. Top-of-the-line suppliers back their system with computer programs designed to define the heat loads and torque.

Machinery to which industrial clutches and brakes are applied is complex and demanding. A mismatch may result in unscheduled downtime, so one needs to be sure of it at the first go. When chosen with care, the clutches and brakes may offer ...
... outstanding performance.

Clutches and brakes perform two basic functions – Dissipating the heat generated during the engagement sequence and Transmitting the normal and peak load torques with a suitable service factor.

Goal of every installation must be optimizing the system reliability and minimizing the engagement shock loads. Role of clutches and brakes is to transmit torque by friction. Torque transmitting characteristic is set by the magnitude of the force applied to the friction surface and the coefficient of friction there.

When the clutches and brakes are disengaged, the clutches and brakes have a speed differential between the input and output members. To move from a disengaged condition to one of engagement, the clutch or brake has to go through a slipping phase. While the engagement, the magnitude of the torque multiplied by the speed differential is proportional to power. This produces heat which has to dissipate in accordance with the frequency of engagement the application requires.

Unless the system mass effects are studied, it is hard to comprehend how important the clutches and brakes are to drive train stress levels and clutches/brakes. When the mass is in motion, it has energy that is changed during the clutch or brake engagement. Same way, the mass at rest needs energy to put it in motion. It is clutch or brake that controls the rate of energy transfer. This is done by varying the force on the frictional couple during the engagement. Big input masses generate huge sources of energy for the clutch to draw upon. In that case, a system exists with a high input to output mass ratio.

There is potential for very large clutching and braking loads to be imposed upon the drive system. The loads may be several magnitudes more than the workloads performed by the machine. Drive train components and the clutch-brake units have to be adequately sized to withstand the loads generated. The clutch-brake apply force has to be adequately controlled to limit mechanical and thermal stresses imposed on the unit.

Procurement of brakes and clutch plates online makes things easier for the procurer as well as supplier. Software facilitates the process minimizing the errors.

One of the leading suppliers of in clutches and brakes in America are ICP Industrial Clutch Parts. For more information, you can visit www.industrialclutch.com. They can advise clients on the condition, maintenance and performance of any hydraulic, pneumatic or electromagnetic clutch/brake unit.

Author of this article is associated with ICP (Industrial Clutch Parts) that deals in a broad range of products including electric brake, centrifugal clutch, fluid couplings, friction materials and other such products.