Experts say the automobile clutch market will reach $13bn by 2026. Yet, while many people are familiar with automotive clutches, there are many different uses for clutches in various industries. 

Marland Clutch is a world leader in the clutch market, with 90 years of history. You can find more than 100 different Marland Clutch products available to buy. 

Keep reading this article to learn more about industrial clutches and their uses. 

What Are Industrial Clutches?

A clutch is a power transmission device. It helps control the speed of movement of a motor. Engines with two rotating shafts use a clutch. The two shafts link the motor to the moving parts of the device.

So, the clutch allows them to move together (couple) or separate from each other (decouple). Separating the shafts disengages a motor’s driveshaft. This enables users to pause an engine without turning it off entirely. 

Because clutches are an integral part of an engine, most mechanical devices use them, from cars to industrial machinery. For example, the clutch stops the connection between the engine and wheels in vehicles. This allows the car to pause or idle without turning off the engine. 

Industrial clutch parts allow a machine to pause while still operating. Often, the clutch pauses the conveyor belt. Clutches make industrial work more efficient. There isn’t wasted time between stopping and starting the motor.

With vastly different uses, there are many varieties of clutches. But, there are a few standard clutch designs available.

PTO Clutch

One typical example is a power take-off (PTO) clutch. Experts recommend PTO clutches for in-line or sideload instruction tasks. Some examples include:

• Agricultural machinery
• Road building
• Rock crushers
• Wood Chippers
• Dredges
• Compressors
• Pumps
• Recycling equipment

There are various models of the PTO clutch, depending on its use. For example, some PTO clutch manufacturers don’t use a pilot bearing. This helps to simplify installation and reduces the risk of crankshaft damage.

Power Grip Clutch

 Professionals recommend power grip clutches for in-line or shaft-to-shaft torque transmission. These clutches are an excellent choice for high-inertia loads and heavy-duty industrial operations. 

This is because they can withstand torsional vibrations and heavy shock. Power grip clutches also give machinery a smooth start.

They minimize release drags, which helps create a reliable and long-lasting performance.

Low Inertial High Torque Clutch

One final example is the low inertial high torque clutch. Again, the name implies a high torque to size ratio and low rotating inertia.

Experts use this heavy-duty clutch for industrial operations with high-cycle power transmission and controlled acceleration. Some examples include:

• Petroleum
• Material handling equipment
• Power generation
• Metal forming industries
• Steel shear
• Yarders 
• Fail-safe brakes
• Marine winches

Users mount the clutch to the end of the shafts. It is reliable and has a high-speed response rate.

Learn More About Industrial Clutches 

Industrial clutches are much more common than most people think. Yet, they are essential to keep machines operating at maximum capacity with less maintenance.  

Contact us at Kor-Pak Corporation to get expert advice on the best clutches for your applications. Our professionals will help improve your uptime and load efficiency.

Recent polls show that nearly 40% of tractor-trailer owners use disc brakes in their vehicles. Brake calipers are an essential part of a vehicle’s disc braking system, and a vehicle would be unable to stop without them in place. But how do they work, and what do they do?

Read this brake calipers guide for an overview of how brake calipers work and some brake calipers tips to get you started!

How Do Brake Calipers Work? 

What are brake calipers? Industrial brake calipers are a vital part of a disc brake system. Disc brakes are frequently used in machines and industrial vehicles but are not always as common as other types of braking systems.

These little calipers are usually attached to the front wheels of trucks and other vehicles, although many manufacturers have begun installing disc brakes on the rear wheels as well. This means that each rear wheel will also have a rear brake caliper to go along with it.

But how does it work? As you press on a brake pedal, hydraulic fluid passes through the lines and pushes a piston. This piston, in turn, closes the brake calipers. 

The brake calipers are attached to brake pads, which are the braking parts. As the calipers close, the brake pads press against the wheel’s rotor and apply friction. This friction slows the wheels down, slowing and eventually stopping the vehicle.

Disc brake systems are typically external and vented, allowing air to cool the system from all the heat generated by the friction. This keeps the system functioning far longer without wearing out, which is one of the many reasons disc brakes are the better choice.

Brake calipers need to be properly set to squeeze at the right time and apply the right amount of pressure with the brake pads. Thankfully, you can adjust the calipers and caliper piston with a brake caliper tool, no matter which type of industrial vehicle you’re working on.

Two Types of Calipers

Calipers for disc brakes are either fixed calipers or floating calipers. As a result, they perform differently, although the underlying braking concept is still the same.

Floating calipers move closer or farther away from the rotor. When hydraulic fluid presses the piston, the entire caliper moves with it, pushing the brake pads against the rotor.

As you might guess, fixed calipers don’t move. Instead, pistons push them closed, pressing the brake pads against both sides of the rotor. These brake calipers are generally the better, higher-quality option, but they are also more expensive.

What About Other Brakes?

There are other braking systems found in trucks and other industrial vehicles. However, these systems don’t use calipers to press brake pads against rotors as disc brake systems do. 

Drum brakes are common braking systems and have been in use for quite a few decades. Although they aren’t as good as disc brakes, they still see quite a lot of use. 

The “S” cam brake is a drum brake system that is extremely common in trucks and larger industrial vehicles. It functions well, but it isn’t as good as a disc brake system at stopping a vehicle quickly. 

Learn More About Brake Parts!

While this is a general overview of brake calipers, there’s still a lot more to brakes and braking systems! We want you to feel confident in all your knowledge and materials regarding industrial brakes.

So feel free to contact us with questions or concerns! Our goal is to provide you with the best materials, knowledge, and advice possible, whether for brakes or other industrial products.

The better you feel about your equipment, the happier we are!

Long considered the best option in braking technology, disc brakes are frequently used in many industrial machines. But how exactly do they work?

Read on for an overview of how a disc brake works and some disk brake tips for buying disk brakes. 

Anatomy of a Disc Brake

There are three main components of a disc brake. These are the brake pads, the rotor, and the caliper. In addition, other components work with these three parts to ensure the disc brakes work correctly.

Other components include the piston that connects with the caliper, the hydraulic system for the brakes, and the wheel itself that the brakes are working to stop.

Your disc brakes guide will probably show that your brakes are vented. Most of these brakes are vented to help keep the braking system cool. Sets of vanes pump air through the disk, making sure things don’t overheat or wear out.

How Do They Work?

When the brake is pushed on a machine, it pushes hydraulic brake fluid through lines to the brakes. The fluid moves pistons, which then close the calipers.

These calipers attach to the brake pads, and when they squeeze shut, the brake pads then press against the rotor. This creates a lot of heat and friction, slowing the machine down or stopping it completely. However, as opposed to other types of brakes, disc brakes wear down evenly across their surface, which means you won’t have to replace them until the entire brake pad is worn out.

Because of this, brake pads are designed to handle that excessive heat and friction while still providing enough friction themselves to stop the machine. They are made of various friction materials, depending on the type of brakes and the purpose of the job.

Buying, Repairing and Replacing Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are not always the go-to brake system in industrial machines, but they’re increasingly used in factory settings. The good news is you can order brake parts and have them installed on your machine with little difficulty. In the same way, you can order replacement parts if your pads wear down or your brakes wear out.

Choosing disc brakes is easy because there are so many high-quality industrial disc brakes and brake manufacturers to pick from. Some firms specialize in brakes for oil, gas, and energy industry machines, while others focus on transport and hauling machinery. You can look at different companies to see what sizes and types of disc brakes they specialize in and determine which style would work best for your situation. 

Learn More About Brakes and Brake Parts

Getting a new type of disc brake for your industrial equipment is a great idea, but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. We’d love to help you decide what kind of brake system works best for you.

So if you have any questions, contact us! We’ll be happy to help you figure out precisely what type of brakes you want, how to get them, and how to install them on your machines. We want you to have the best brakes possible.

Did you know that there are more than 45,000 industrial machinery and equipment manufacturers in the U.S. alone? With that many manufacturers, there are countless more industrial machines that use clutches to perform their essential operations.  

Read on to learn how a clutch works. 

How a Clutch Works

A clutch is a bridge between two rotating shafts, one shaft is typically connected to a motor, and the other is connected to another device. For many industrial machines, the other device is the drive shaft.

The clutch is the mechanism that allows the two shafts to either be connected or disconnected. When connected, these two shafts are running at the same speed. When they are disconnected, the motor is still running, but the machine is idle to allow for pauses in work. 

Different Types of Clutches

Multiple types of clutches offer different advantages. The following is a clutch guide to the major types.

Friction Clutch

A friction clutch is the most popular type. This system operates by the friction created between two shafts. The material lining the shafts impacts how much friction is created.

Multiple Plate Clutch

This type uses multiple plates to contact the engine flywheel and transfer power. Besides industrial machines, these are often used in racing vehicles because of the high torque they transmit. 

Cone Clutch

This type uses two conical surfaces to generate torque rather than disks or plates. Compared to other clutch types of the same size, it can transmit more torque. A disadvantage is that it needs significant maintenance.  

Centrifugal Clutch

This automatic type operates one centrifugal force with an output shaft. As a result, there isn’t much maintenance required, and the design is relatively simple. 

How To Tell If A Clutch Is Working Properly

Regardless of the clutch a machine uses, some issues require maintenance. Knowing what to look for can help you spot a problem before it gets more serious. The following clutch tips may help.

Slipping

If the engine is revving at a high rate, but the machine is moving slowly, this could be a sign of slipping. This happens with a worn-out disk or plate. Another sign is hearing strange noises when you are shifting gears.

Pedal Give

If you have to press hard on the pedal or are sensitive to the touch, you are experiencing pedal give. This is a sign that a replacement is needed soon.

Sticking

This is sticking if your foot moves from applying pressure to the pedal, but the clutch doesn’t follow. This can make changing gears difficult. 

Understanding Clutches and Their Importance

Now that you know how a clutch works and what to look for if malfunctioning, are you ready to learn more? Not all clutches are the same, as different types offer unique advantages. 

Read our blog for more great content like this. 

Drum brakes are big business in the world of mass-production and heavy industry. The global market for this type of brake is set to surpass $3.5 billion in value by 2026. That’s good news for fans of these time-tested machinery components.

We all know drum brakes are still used in the automobile industry, but did you know they also have a far wider range of applications? Read on to understand the basics of drum brake parts and how you can put them to use in your manufacturing business.

Drum Brake Parts Basics

Unlike the more commonly-used disc brakes, which apply friction by clamping down on an object from the outside, drums use their stopping power from the inside. As a result, fluid fills a cylinder which pushes two shoes outwards.

It’s a relatively straightforward process, but there’s a little more going on below the surface.

The Drum

This is perhaps the most important part of drum brakes. The drum stands at the wheel’s center, bolted to the hub, rotating in time with the axle. The drum houses all other components of the brake.

Drums are usually made from a heat and water-resistant form of cast iron and provide a rugged shell for all the intricate components inside. The drum can stand up to a lot of wear and tear, with an average lifespan of around 150,000 to 200,000 miles. That’s a lot of rotations!

Backing Plate

Another critical brake element is the backing plate, which helps to shore up the drum. It provides a solid core at the back of the drum and helps to protect the rest of the braking system from damage.

Since it rubs up against the wheel and absorbs torque, this part is sometimes called the torque plate. 

Brake Shoe

The shoe is arguably the most critical part of the brake. It pushes out to the wheel, applying friction and eventually causing it to stop. 

It is made from two welded steel pieces operated by pistons pushing out from the drum. The shoe is lined with brake lining on its outer curve, providing the optimum level of friction.

Wheel Cylinder

The cylinder’s job is to push the shoe outwards. Operated by pistons at either side, it forces the shoes outwards, causing them to make friction with the edge of the drum.

Return Springs

Once the braking process is over, those shoes have to retract and take their pressure off the wheel. That’s where the return springs come in, pulling the shoes back to base when their job is done.

Self Adjuster

All braking systems rely on friction. So, it only follows that the whole system will break down if the shoe doesn’t make contact with the drum.

The self-adjuster allows the shoe to adjust as the lining deteriorates. The adjuster will push out further and ensure they make contact. The best drum brakes all offer this feature. 

Quality Components Whatever Your Needs

Whatever you’re looking for in your business, you can rely on us as your provider. We’ve been in the industry for years and understand the importance of quality industrial equipment, including drum brake parts.

Whatever you’re looking for, get in touch with Kor-Pak today for all your business needs.