The industrial machinery market in America is currently worth more than $162.9 billion per year. However, if you use this type of machinery in your business, you will already know this doesn’t just include the cost of buying new equipment.
It can cost a lot to maintain your equipment properly. Preventative maintenance can help reduce these costs. It will also help you pick the best equipment for your industry.
For example, understanding different types of clutches will help you decide which one will do the right job for you. Read on to learn everything you need about different types of industrial clutches.
Industrial-Toothed Clutches
Industrial-toothed clutches are popular clutch options in a range of industries.
They feature a lockable stationary coil, and the teeth allow for additional grip. This makes them ideal for use in wet conditions.
Torque-Limiting Clutches
As the name suggests, torque-limiting clutches are designed to respond to excessive torque loads. You may have heard people refer to these clutches as friction plate slip-clutches.
When there is a spike in torque, the torque-limiting clutch slips, disconnecting the driving shaft from its driven components. As a result, some systems will partially disengage while others disengage entirely.
Different clutches do this using:
- Shear pins
- Synchronized magnets
- Small hardened balls
- A pawl and spring release
This helps to protect equipment that the torque overload would otherwise damage.
The Expanding Clutch
Expanding clutches also respond to the forces around them. However, unlike torque-limiting clutches, they react to speed rather than torque pressure.
As the engine speed in your equipment increases, so does the centrifugal force. So the wedges in your clutch’s EXP start to exert an outward pressure and expand. As this happens, the clutch engages.
These clutches are also known as centrifugal clutches or centrifugal force clutches. They were initially invented in 1858 when they were used in railway trains.
Electromagnetic Clutches
Electromagnetic clutches (or electromechanical clutches) are known for working fast and seamlessly. These clutches operate electrically, but they transmit torque in your machinery mechanically.
The most simplistic type of electromagnetic clutch is the friction-plate clutch. However, you can also get:
- Multiple disk clutches
- Electromagnetic tooth clutches
- Electromagnetic particle clutches
- Hysteresis-powered clutches
These clutches engage when they come into contact with the electromagnet. This produces a magnetic field through the clutch and magnetizes the clutch’s rotor. This draws up the armature to the rotor, which creates friction.
When the current stops flowing through the rotor, the armature turns freely in the shaft. This creates a small air gap between it and the rotor’s surface. This disengages the clutch.
Get Help Looking After Different Types of Clutches
As you can see, you will find a lot of types of clutches used in industrial machinery. Understanding which one you use will help you perform clutch maintenance and identify clutch problems.
Are you worried about a clutch in your machinery? Then get in touch today for clutch solutions. We’re happy to help!