Manufacturers account for 10.94% of US revenue. Because the manufacturing industry is so important, it’s essential that factories have all the heavy equipment they need to run smoothly.

Determining whether drum brakes vs. disc brakes are the right choice for each piece of machinery is a key step. Read on to learn more about these brake types and their applications.

What Are Drum Brakes?

Drum brakes feature a small round drum. It contains pistons as well as two brake shoes.

The drum rotates next to the wheels on a piece of heavy machinery, and the user can depress it. At this point, pressurized brake fluid enters the drum brake and makes the pistons push hard into the brake shoes.

The brake shoes subsequently push against the drum sides and create friction. The friction ultimately slows and stops the wheel’s spinning.

The Basics of Disc Brakes

Disc brakes also use friction to stop an industry machinery wheel from turning. However, their general makeup is different from that of a drum brake. 

A disc brake contains a brake caliper and two brake pads. It also has a flat metal rotor. This rotor spins simultaneously with the wheel that the brake is attached to.

The person operating the heavy equipment then turns on the brakes. At this point, the caliper squeezes the brake pads tightly onto the rotor. This puts a lot of friction against the rotor, and the wheel stops spinning as a result.

Drum Brakes vs. Disc Brakes: Core Differences

Drum brakes have the main advantage of being less expensive than disc brakes. However, they are not as good at dissipating heat as disc brakes are. They get hotter over time and will fade more quickly than disc brakes will.

Drum brakes are also not ideal for wetter areas. The liquid may pool inside the drum brakes if you are manufacturing in a facility with water or oil nearby. This isn’t dangerous, but it makes the brakes slower, so they perform worse.

Disc brakes have an advantage in both hot and wet conditions and are ideal because they do not lock up as easily. Their straightforward functionality means that they won’t lock up when you brake quickly or heavily. This is something that people who are looking for industrial brakes for heavy industrial equipment should think about.

However, drum brakes are a good choice for some applications. This is because of their larger friction contact area. They can provide more braking force than a disc brake of equal size. 

Drum brakes also generate less heat than disc brakes. If you are worried about a machine overheating, drum brakes may be the right choice.

Get Started With Kor-Pak

Now that you know the differences between drum brakes and disc brakes, it’s time to start. Our experts are dedicated to getting you high-quality industrial equipment that will make your manufacturing facility run more smoothly. Contact us to request a product or service quote or get more information.

Regular brakes and industrial brakes differ from one another. Here are a few things to know about industrial brakes and their maintenance.

1. There Are Different Types of Brakes

It is essential to have industrial brakes to manage heavy loads. Here are a few examples.

Spring Applied Brakes

Spring-applied brakes are meant to decelerate moving loads and keep other heavy loads still in case the release mechanism stops working. 

These brakes are especially useful for industrial machines and any type of industrial machine that needs an emergency stop.

Fail Safe Brakes

If there is an issue with power loss or something with the drive that goes out, the fail-safe brakes will help. This is especially useful for downhill systems or even conveyor belt systems. 

Hydraulic Release Brakes

This is another type of spring-applied brake that uses hydraulic power. This is useful for holding, stage productions, and emergency stops for industrial vehicles. 

2. How They Work

Even though there are several different types of industrial brakes on the market, most use signed disc designs that use a rotating disc. This disc completes movement that creates friction to stop a vehicle.

These brakes are highly reliable in high-stress situations and can last many hours. First, however, it is vital to ensure they are adequately maintained. 

3. Always Look to Improve Braking Performance

It is essential to pay attention to brake performance when you have industrial brakes. Here are some things to look out for:

• Increase the disc radius to ensure there is more brake torque and the ability for the brakes to apply the proper pressure
• Increase the caliper piston area or the size of the pistons to increase pressure on the brakes
• Increase the line pressure with assisted vacuum parts on the brake or by pushing harder on the brakes
• Increase the friction between the brake pads and rotors on all wheels 

4. Reduce Brake Fade

You should also reduce brake fade to keep your industrial brakes safe. A few ways to do this are:

• Adding larger rotors to the vehicle
• Add vented rotors or a way of venting for your rotors
• Add slotted and drilled rotors
• Be sure to look at your brake pad selection properly 

5. Always Choose the Right Company to Help You

To be sure that you are choosing the right company, you want to ensure you are looking for the following. This should always be a part of what you look for in an industrial brake company:

• Customer service
• High-quality components
• Industry experience 

Industrial Braking

Now that you know what to look for with industrial brakes, you can start your search by knowing how to choose the right ones.

If you would like to explore more about industrial brakes more, you can request a quote from us at Kor Pak Corporation! We are happy to help you with all of your braking needs.

Braking systems are a critical part of industrial machinery. Through friction, they stop or slow the movement of mechanisms. Without them, machines would just keep moving even through dangerous situations.

It’s crucial, therefore, that each of your machines has an effective braking system. The best way to ensure this is to give each device the proper braking system. To do this, you’ll need to know the differences between different braking systems. 

Read on to learn more about some of the different industrial braking systems. 

Braking System Types According to Actuation

Actuation refers to how a system is activated or deactivated. For example, a brake system refers to the specific mechanisms that help a brake stop or slow mechanical movement.

There are a few different actuation constructions. This article will detail these further in the list below. 

Mechanical Braking System 

Mechanical brakes utilize manual power to operate. Therefore, an operator cannot use an automatic mechanism to actuate the brakes. Instead, they have to use their own hands or feet for this. 

The force resulting from this isn’t powerful. However, this braking system type is still useful in applications requiring little force. An excellent example of this is the handbrake on a bicycle.  

Hydraulic Braking System 

The actuation of a hydraulic braking system relies on hydraulic fluid. This is usually a mixture of glycerine, alcohol, and additives. The mechanism will transmit pressure through this liquid.

This braking system type is one of the cheapest, most common, and most reliable. Also, passenger vehicle brakes often rely on hydraulic systems. 

Electric Braking System 

Electric braking systems use magnetic force to actuate brakes. However, the magnets within the system are not always drawn to each other. Therefore, an operator must run an electric current through them to activate a magnetic force. 

These systems tend to be expensive but very effective. They also engage quickly. 

The Parts of Braking Systems 

Within the different actuation mechanisms are certain brake types. As a result, various systems may or may not share the same brake models.

The drum brake and disc brake are two of the most well-known. You can learn more about each of these below. 

Disc Brake 

A disc brake is named for the disc-shaped part that is often connected to a wheel. Above the disc is a C-shaped part known as a caliper whose sides extend over the disc.

When an operator applies the brake, a piston on one side of the caliper moves forward. This eventually squeezes the disc against the other side of the caliper. As a result, the disc stops spinning. 

Drum Brake 

All of the mechanisms of a drum brake are inside a cylinder-like house. Like the disc brake, a drum brake also has a piston. However, when activated, this piston pushes C-shaped ‘brake shoes’ against the inner sides of the drum. 

For High-Quality Industrial Brakes and Other Parts, Check Out Our Products

Check out our products when you need to replace a braking system. We’re the leading provider of industrial supplies and equipment. Contact us now for a free price quote. 

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!

Your industry relies on equipment to run properly, safely, and efficiently. So when a significant part begins to break down, it threatens your business’s health and your employees’ safety. This is especially true when we’re talking about brakes.

How do you know if your disc brakes are beginning to fail before they give out ultimately? Save yourself the pain of a broken-down machine by learning the significant signs of beginning brake failure. 

1. A Hot Rotor

Rotors sustain the most damage when they overheat. All cross-drilled rotors dissipate heat. But they also potentially develop stress cracks because of the heat. 

Overheated rotors will end up warping. You’ll know you have a warped rotor when you feel a pulsating action as you engage the brake pedal. In short, your industrial brakes will fail if you do not have your rotor replaced immediately. 

2. Brake Pad Breakdown

Hard braking, like when you stop quickly at high speed or constantly braking on an incline, can overheat your brake pads. This constant heat will glaze your brake pads, so they are now slippery rather than the gritty surface they should be. Glazed brakes cannot adequately grab the rotor and will put out a bad smell. 

If your brakes shudder or vibrate when you brake, have your brake pads checked by a brake maintenance expert. 

3. Seized Caliper Piston

When your disc brakes overheat, the caliper piston will seize. At this point, your brakes will either fail to disengage or fail to engage. If the brakes don’t engage, you won’t have any brakes, and if they fail to disengage, your vehicle will pull to the side and begin to smoke. 

4. Boiling Brake Fluid

Overheating brakes can also cause your brake fluid to boil. Hot brake fluid cannot compress, reducing your brakes’ efficiency. In short, you won’t be able to stop if your brake fluid gets excessively hot. 

Look for the signs of overheating brakes before the brake fluid gets to this point. 

5. Soft Pedal

When the pedal on your industrial vehicle pushes too easily, you have a problem with fluid level and a possible fluid leak. You could also have air in your hydraulic line. A soft pedal also indicates a potential bad wheel bearing, completely unrelated to the brakes. 

Regardless, if you have a soft pedal, contact a mechanic. You may not need new brakes but should check to be sure. 

6. Hard Pedal

When your pedal pushes hard, you could have a problem with the power boost system and engine vacuum. You could also have a seized or stuck brake caliper. If the problem is the brakes, you will also smell a burning smell and feet dragging on one wheel. 

7. Sinking Pedal

If your pedal begins to sink to the floorboard without touching it, you have a problem with a master cylinder. You could have a bad master cylinder or a leak. Regardless, you can’t brake adequately if your pedal is already on the floorboard, so you need to have a brake maintenance expert look at it. 

Check Your Disc Brakes

Your disc brakes are essential in your industrial vehicle. Without them, you put your driver and anyone they come in contact with at risk. 

Do you need brake parts? If so, contact us. Our vast supply of parts in our inventory can help you get your brakes working again. 

Braking systems are a necessary piece of equipment whenever you use machinery in your industry. 

The brakes are essential to safety, and in industrial mining, they must overcome the conditions of working on the surface and underground. They must be capable of stopping and holding on slopes and ramps while carrying full loads. 

Because of the increased use of automation in industrial sectors, the braking market is expected to grow, making the quality of control and efficiency in brake systems vital.

Whether for your railcar or another piece of equipment, read on for the beginner’s guide to the types of brakes used in industrial mining equipment. 

Railcar Brakes

Railcar brakes are crucial in the industrial mining industry. There are three main options for railcar braking systems. 

Dynamic Wheel Brakes

Dynamic braking is a consistent form used for railcars. It uses the kinetic energy of the turning wheels, and with the electricity generated, it causes the train to decelerate and stop.

They respond more rapidly than air brakes and reduce wheel wear. It’s a safe and efficient way to make the train slow down and stop. 

Tripper Rail Clamps

This braking application is the type you need if the mining equipment you’re using needs to be locked in place. They are spring-set and hydraulically released so that when you remove the power, the brakes kick in, gripping the rail. 

As well as holding positions, these brakes work for emergency stops and lockdowns. 

Wheel Gripper

This static braking system grips the track and holds it in place. It’s used for purposes such as railcar dumping. 

They’re mounted on the inside or outside of the rails and are either spring-applied or pressure-applied. So even in the event of power failure, the memory circuit will hold. 

Braking Systems

You need a reliable braking system with all the heavy equipment on mining sites. Brakes in the mining industry have to survive harsh conditions and maintain quality performance – reliability is vital. 

Understanding the basics helps you anticipate possible maintenance requirements. 

Drum

A drum brake is a dynamic brake. If you need something cost-efficient, then this is an ideal brake system. Lower torque or less space is when this application comes in. 

When you apply the brake, the shoe in the wheel hub pushes against a drum giving you a safe and compact brake. 

Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are also dynamic brakes, and they’re often considered the best choice of braking systems.

If you have unlimited space and high torque, these are your equipment’s brakes. They have a metal disc in the front wheels, and when you apply the brakes, a hard pad presses on the disc, causing it to slow down. 

Hydraulic

Hydraulic brakes are spring-loaded. Pressure on the brake shoes forces them against the drum and provides adjustable torque. As a result, hydraulic brakes last a long time in harsh environments like mining. 

Industrial Mining Braking Systems

If you would like additional details, contact us.

Keep reading to learn the warning signs that indicate your farm equipment brakes are beginning to fail. 

1. Noise

First and foremost, odd noises as you break indicate you may have a problem with your brakes. This is hard to determine since farm machinery makes a lot of noise anyway. The average tractor produces between 85 and 100 decibels. 

If you know what to listen for, you’ll hear the brakes failing before they completely give out. Listen for scraping, grinding, screeching, or squeaking noises. As the brakes wear down, the discs and calipers will rub together and make these noises. 

If you hear these noises, take your tractor in for replacement brakes and an overall equipment maintenance check. 

2. Pulling

Sometimes you can feel if the brakes are beginning to fail. For example, you may have a problem operating the machine when it begins to pull to one side or another as you brake. This pulling indicates uneven wear on the drums. 

You may have a problem with brake fluid as well. Either way, take the machine in for a brake maintenance check. 

3. Less Responsive

They should respond by slowing down the machinery when you press the brakes. If you notice the responsiveness beginning to lower, it’s time to have our brakes checked. When you find yourself pulling levers harder or pressing down on the pedal with more ferocity, beware. 

4. Vibrating

While driving the vehicle and then applying brakes, the vehicle should not vibrate. If it does, check your rotors. A vibrating vehicle indicates you may have warped rotors. 

Older rotors are especially susceptible to warping. Over time the friction and heat will warp them, and they won’t sit flush on brake pads. Then your vehicle wobbles as you brake hard. 

5. Grinding

No amount of grinding when you brake is healthy. If you hear or feel grinding, your brake pads have disintegrated. The compromised pads now put your rotors at risk. 

Take your equipment to a mechanic immediately before you do further damage. 

6. Soft Brakes

You have a problem when you step on the brake pedal goes to the floor easily. Most likely, your brake pads have worn out. You also may have a leak in your air brake line. 

7. Bad Smells

Overheated and compromised brakes will put off a sharp, chemical odor. When you smell this as you apply the brakes, stop your vehicle and move it to a safe place. Check to ensure you don’t have smoke from the brake area. 

Keep Farming Equipment Safe

You can best keep your farming equipment safe by conducting regular maintenance on the equipment. Check your brakes regularly, and heed the warning signs above. Doing so will save your equipment and possibly your life. 

Do you need new brake equipment? If so, contact us. We have a variety of equipment in stock and are ready to help you maintain your agricultural equipment. 

The brakes are one of the most important parts of industrial equipment.

When your equipment’s brake rotors get worn down, it puts the lives of your employees, customers, and those around them in danger. So when the time comes to replace a piece of equipment’s brake rotors, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Knowing what you will need to make the job as easy and efficient as possible is good. So read on to find out more about the process of replacing and machining rotors.

Replacing vs. Machining Rotors

If a brake rotor is warped, scored, or rusted, you can either replace or machine it.

Machining rotors can help increase stopping power, promote longevity, and reduce the runout of a brake rotor. However, it’s a time-consuming fix that is difficult to do correctly and can lead to poor quality rotors and safety issues.

Plus, even when done correctly, it can only add so much more lifespan to a rotor.

You replace a rotor if it wears below its minimum thickness or cracks or is too warped, scored, or rusted to be machined. In addition, you should also replace brake rotors if any scores or grooves are too deep or there are severe cracks. Further, replace blued rotors, as they are likely about to warp or crack.

How to Machine Rotors

Machining rotors is the process of removing metal from the surface of a rotor to make it flat or give it a more uniform layer of friction.

The process typically starts by sanding the rotors with 120 grit sandpaper. After removing any built-up deposits and dirt, it is time to cut, trim, and thin the rotor’s surface on a lathe.

After resurfacing the rotor, test the equipment to ensure the rotors have regained a sufficient level of friction.

Replacing Brake Rotors

If a rotor is too damaged, rusted, or warped to machine, you need to find a replacement.

The most common type of replacement rotor is the one-piece rotor. It has a solid body with a hat cast together with the outer ring. One-piece rotors are easy to make and most common for replacement rotors.

However, they are susceptible to warping. While some modern and high-end one-piece rotors may have heat dissipation, others are likely to distort when exposed to extreme heat.

Slotted and drilled rotors are also typical in heavy equipment. They are useful for environments that are wet and have increased temperatures or in applications that require consistent braking.

 Knowing When to Replace Brake Rotors

Brake rotors are an essential part of many modern braking and safety systems. 

Whether you are replacing or machining rotors, it is crucial to keep quality in mind to ensure the safety of your customers and employees. If a brake rotor is worn or broken, it can have a disastrous effect on those operating industrial machinery and your profits.

Contact us today to learn how our industrial brakes and clutches can benefit you.

Industrial braking systems are one of the most critical pieces of technology around. In essence, the job of a braking system is to absorb energy and bring whatever it is on to a halt.

Braking components can operate at temperatures up to 3500 degrees celsius on average! But, of course, what’s not so hot, is braking systems failing.

Read on below for three of the most practical tips for choosing the right industrial braking system to match all your needs.

1. Ensure a Warranty Is Included

Your braking system components are constantly exposed to varied types of pressure. So first, ensure all elements have a factory warranty to protect you from defects. Then, should something go wrong, you could quickly get the part replaced.

2. Get Braking System Parts from a Trusted Brand

With so many brands to choose from today, stick to the tried and tested brands known for braking components and have the backing to support their customers. 

Quality should never be compromised when choosing a brand, as the fallout could be catastrophic.

3. Know What Type of Braking System You Need 

Choosing the correct braking system will be a significant factor in whether it suits your needs or not. The following types of braking systems and tips will help you decide.

Spring Applied Brakes

Spring applied brakes act to decelerate a load in the event of a power failure or however you choose the release mechanism to be disengaged. This type of system is suitable for robotics and automation engineering solutions.

Fail-Safe Brakes

Fail-safe brakes are designed to kick in when there is an immediate power cut. Fail-safe brakes have one purpose, and that is to avoid catastrophic accidents. Such a brake system will be applicable for an elevator. 

Pneumatic Brakes

Pneumatic brakes are one of the older brake systems; they use compressed air to drive a piston and apply force to a braking pad. A straightforward system, you can use pneumatic brakes in almost every braking system.

Electromagnetic Brakes

As the name suggests, electromagnetic brakes use electromagnetic force to cause friction, which asserts the necessary stopping action. Therefore, this system is perfect for avoiding the heat dissipation that friction brakes cause.

Hydraulic Brakes

Hydraulic brakes use compressed brake fluid to generate the required braking force. They are known for being simplistic and very reliable and are the primary type of braking systems in industrial applications. From winches to cranes, hydraulic braking systems should be your number one system to turn to. 

Make the Right Choice Today

Choosing the right braking system doesn’t have to be a complicated affair. The right braking system coupled with a trusted manufacturer will not only keep your machine operator healthy, but your machine will stand the test of time.

Are you looking for the best industrial braking system parts on the market? Not sure where to look? Go to our manufacturer’s page and find the best components available on the market!