How to Choose the Right Brake Friction Material

Chances are, you work with a lot of different machines. And each type is designed for another purpose and, thus, has unique needs all its own.

But there’s one thing that all of your machines have in common: brakes. That is, they all rely on a friction material to quickly stop certain functions when necessary. 

The question is, how do you choose the suitable brake friction material for your needs? Well, you can start by reading this guide.

Below, we list and explain the three primary brake materials and what types of work they’re best suited for. With this information, you’ll be able to determine which type is ideal for your machine/equipment. Read through this pros and cons list to learn all about choosing brake friction materials. 

1. Ceramic Brake Friction Materials

Ceramic brake materials are very quiet during operation and produce very little dust. However, they are not as durable or resilient as other friction materials.

Specifically, they are comparably more susceptible to damage, wear, and overheating. Overheating is arguably the most significant problem as it can damage your machinery.

Then, ceramic friction materials are not the best choice for harsh/heavy use. But they are the best choice for gentle use that won’t wear them out so fast. If the intended use doesn’t require extreme durability, the bottom line is choosing ceramic brakes for smooth, clean, quiet operation. 

2. Semi-Metallic Brake Friction Materials

Semi-metallic brakes are the most durable and long-lasting option listed here. They are highly resistant to overheating and stand up well to almost any task, even very heavy use. As for functionality, they also have the best stopping power of any brake material.

However, they may, in some cases, be too resilient. That is, they are so durable that they could very well wear down your machinery.

Regardless, you may not have a choice. If you need a brake that can stop fast and stand up to high heat and heavy use, semi-metallic brakes are your best option. 

3. Hybrid Brake Friction Materials

Your third and final option is a hybrid brake material. These are a hybrid of semi-metallic and ceramic brakes—not just in their composition but also in their performance.

To summarize, hybrid brakes are heat-resistant, durable, and have good stopping power. But they’re also quieter and more gentle to your equipment than semi-metallic brakes. Because of this, they are the perfect in-between option for situations in which neither of the other options is ideal.

For example, you may need something more durable than ceramic brakes. But you don’t want the material to be so hardy that it tears up your machine. In this case, hybrid brakes are the best choice. 

Which Brake Friction Material Do You Need?

Now that you’ve learned the advantages and disadvantages of each type, which brake friction material seems right for your needs? If you’re still having trouble deciding, we can help. Contact us here so we can answer your questions and give you a quote.

Everything You Should Know About Your Marland Clutch Kit

Before you start working with any clutch-type, you should understand how it works and what maintenance it will require.

This best practice goes for every piece of industrial equipment, and clutches are no different. By learning everything you can about a clutch coupling ahead of time, you can make sure you’re getting the most out of the product.

That said, how can you start your journey to learning all the details on Marland CEF clutch coupling and other types of Marland clutches? You won’t have to look any further.

Here, you can study up on everything you need to know about your Marland clutch kit.

What Types of Products Does Marland Offer?

Marland Clutch manufactures a variety of backstopping and overrunning clutches. The catalog comes down to two different types: roller products and sprag products.

Roller products consist of cylindrical rollers on inclined cam planes. You’ll need these for low-speed applications, like at the head of a conveyor’s shaft drive. You can use the clutch couplings within this category with a double engagement gear coupling.

Other clutches within this kit include CEBMAG clutches, backstops, CECON clutches, and HB clutches.

Sprag products prove more effective for high-speed applications. Within the sprag category, you can choose between the CSK Series and the RSCI Series, as well as RMS, RMT, and RMI clutches. The CSK Series removes a ball bearing requirement, allowing for more accuracy while using less space.

The RSCI Series works best for overrunning. The RMS, RMT, and RMI clutches can be mounted on shafts and include seals and ball bearings.

What Are the Advantages of Marland CEF Clutch Coupling?

With so many different makes and models available, from a Marland Clutch burr to a Marland CEF clutch coupling 62003, where can you start comparing? To begin, let’s take a look at roller clutch couplings.

The automatic-freewheel clutches have a long lifecycle due to the roller design. This means you won’t have to worry about any parts coming loose. You may need to stop the clutch coupling on occasion to check the oil.

It’s low on the maintenance side of things, as long as you check the oil lube on a consistent schedule. It works best for non-stop operations that need automatic and instantaneous action.

Sprag products provide the flexibility to be used or combined with other products to improve efficiency. They help lower maintenance costs and increase wear resistance overall. Again, if you have a high-speed application, you should take a look at sprag models.

Regardless of make and model, Marland Clutch products aim to protect your equipment and prevent injuries. The advantages don’t end there, though, as you can also leverage them to avoid downtime.

Get Your Maintenance and Supplies From an Authorized Dealer

This short guide to understanding the Marland clutch catalog will help you make informed decisions. Now, you can feel more confident about your buying decisions. You can also apply these industrial brakes to get the most out of them.

At Kor-Pak, an authorized dealer, you can find a range of Marland products to suit your every need. Our experienced team can also provide inspections and repair services, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need a trusted partner.

 

Stromag Strong: 5 Things To Know About Stromag Brake Pad Products

Machine parts can eventually break down, leaving their replacement of the utmost importance and a huge priority for productivity to continue. What if that single part was helping power an entire factory or a key cog in a machine that’s critical to a whole town’s ecosystem?

Brake pads, crucial to nearly any applicable machine, are often essential for safety and efficiency. 

Here are five things you should know about the Stromag strong brand and its excellent brake pad products.

1. Stromag Offers a Top-Notch Range of Brake Pad Selections

With a wide variance of products, Stromag is sure to have the correct brake pad for you. Whether it is industrial brakes like service or hydraulic power packs, or simply buffers or discs, Stromag is sure to have the selection needed for brake pad replacement.

Check out the incredible range of products they have to offer.

2. Unmatched Quality Across All Products

As opposed to competitors, Stromag products are guaranteed to last longer and perform to a higher standard. Stromag often offers little-to-no maintenance required after assembly for certain products.

Also, brake pads are promised to include industry-leading braking torque technologies.

A recent review of key players in the clutches and brakes market saw Stromag and Altra rated superior to competitive brands.

3. A Reliable Company History You Can Trust

Originating in the early 1930s as an electric rail supplier, Stromag has always been at the forefront of critical aspects of business machinery. With the rapid growth in employees during the 1960s and 1970s, Stromag aggressively expanded abroad and within the U.S.

Continuing as a hallmark brand into the twenty-first century, Stromag consistently remained as a leader in brake pad innovation while also being eco-friendly.

4. Stromag is Forward-Thinking Towards Brake Pad Products

There is no doubt that Stromag has consistently pushed towards the future for brake pad products. Consistently ahead of the game in product advancement or energy conservation, the Stromag brand is globally-recognized as a world leader in brake pad selections.

Here’s a recap of very recent Stromag breakthroughs in the ship and vessel industry.

5. Whatever the Market, Stromag has the Answer

The Stromag strong brand has always been crucial to a huge variety of brake pad applications. Some of the markets that fall under Stromag’s expertise include farm and agriculture, oil and gas, or clutches and brakes for the metal industry.

They’ve even been a leader with the wind turbine generators, offering top-notch disc brakes and limit switches.

Make the Right Choice for Your Business

Simply put, the quality and selection of Stromag are unmatched globally. A leading authority in brake pad solutions, Stromag is guaranteed to satisfy and feature products that last longer and avoid further complications in the future.

What are you waiting for? For all your brake pad needs, contact Stromag today!

 

Here’s Why Your Business Needs Clutch Friction Material

Analysts expect the global industrial market for clutches and brakes to be worth $1 billion in 2020.

The clutch system is a critical part of your vehicle. When it’s time to replace your clutch, one of the most important considerations is the clutch friction material.

Why is the clutch friction material so important? How do you know which material to choose?

Find out everything you need to know about clutch friction material.

Why Is Clutch Friction Material Important?

Your clutch disc gets the most wear and tear of any component in your clutch system. The friction material determines how long your clutch will last and how it will perform.

Each clutch friction material has advantages and disadvantages. You should look for a friction material that will stand up to the engine’s torque and RPM. It also needs to stand up to the clamping force of the pressure plate. Unless you are racing, you want a clutch that will engage and disengage smoothly.

The clutch friction material determines the reliability and safety of the entire vehicle.

Types of Clutch Friction Materials

You’ll find six types of clutch facings. Each type has different features, so you can find one that meets your needs.

Organic

Organic facings are made from various materials that include phenolic resins, metallic powder or metal oxides, and compounded rubber.

These organic facings can be molded or woven. Molded facings are very economical, but they aren’t very strong. Woven facings have fiberglass yarn woven into them. They are stronger than molded facings. They last longer and have better performance.

Heavy-Duty Organic

Heavy-duty organic friction lining material has a higher metallic content than regular organic clutches. They have more heat resistance and durability. They engage almost as smoothly as a normal organic clutch.

Ceramic

Despite the name, the ceramic clutch friction material isn’t actually ceramic. It’s made from a mixture of copper, iron, tin bronze, and silicon dioxide. Ceramic clutches can also include graphite.

Ceramic clutch facings won’t fade even at very high temperatures. However, the clutch engagement isn’t very smooth because the friction material grabs very quickly.

Kevlar

Kevlar is the trademark name for a type of para-aramid fiber that you’ll find in products from racing tires to bulletproof vests. It’s strong and lightweight. It resists corrosion and heat.

Kevlar clutch friction material will last up to three times longer than organic friction material in similar conditions. Kevlar gives you the smooth engagement of the clutch overall. However, it requires a long break-in period.

Feramic

A feramic clutch facing is like a heavy-duty ceramic facing. Feramic clutch friction material uses steel instead of copper. Sintered iron is another name for feramic facings.

Feramic facings have a very high level of friction. They’re best for racing and heavy-duty trucking.

Carbotic facings are a type of feramic facing used for trucks. They engage the clutch more smoothly than a normal feramic facing.

FeramAlloy

FeramAlloy is a newer friction material. It has similar durability and temperature resistance to ceramic, but the clutch engagement is much smoother.

Choosing Your Clutch Friction Material

Choosing the right clutch friction material helps ensure you get the most out of your vehicles. Woven organic clutches are good for daily driving. Heavy-duty organic facings are a versatile choice for towing and hauling and most street performance applications.

Kevlar provides a very long lifespan. It’s good for off-roading. Ceramic and feramic facings are well-suited for racing. Feramic facings are also a good choice for agricultural applications.

FeramAlloy is ideal for heavy-duty hauling and towing as well as commercial trucking.

Kor-Pak offers a full range of industrial clutches and friction material. We’ll help you find exactly what you need. Check out our selection, and contact us when you’re ready to get started.

Drum Brake vs Disc Brake: Which Is Better?

Who wants to stop before they even get started? Choosing the wrong brake for your applications could bring you to a grinding halt, costing you time and money. It is important you know the difference between various types of brake and which is more effective for your situation. 

For industrial applications or automotive, disc and drum brakes both have several pros and cons. Below, we discuss which is best, so you can make an informed drum brake decision.  

How Do They Work?

Drum brakes were the original form of a brake, patented by Louis Renault in 1902. They consisted of a wooden block attached to a lever. When the level was pulled, the block would touch the wheels and stop a vehicle’s motion. 

A drum brake is made of a round metal drum. The drum has brake shoes and two pistons. The drum rotates near a wheel and pushes down on the pistons when it fills with brake fluid. 

The pistons then press the shoes against the wheel, slowing it down. This friction will then stop the wheel from spinning. 

Disc brakes use a metal rotor that spins in conjunction with the wheel. A caliper applied the brake pads pushes them onto the rotor. The resulting friction then slows the wheel down. 

Drum Brake Pros

Drum brakes are more cost-effective than disc brakes. This low price also makes them more cost-effective for maintenance. If you are buying a vehicle, you may find that some brakes are drums and some are disc, and both are used in industrial applications.

Drum Brake Cons

Many of the cons with drum brakes are because all their parts are housed within the drum. This means any adverse effects, like heat and water, cause problems for all the parts involved. When these parts become less effective over time, it is known as brake fade. 

Drum brakes are not ideal in wet conditions. Water can gather inside the drum, which hurts performance. This makes them unsuitable for some industrial applications. 

Drum brakes also tend to hold more heat than disc brakes. You may find they get hotter with repeated usage. As the heat does not dissipate, it can make them fade over time. 

Disc Brake Pros

Disc brakes do not suffer the same problems that afflict drums brakes, making them more efficient all around. The first pro is that the rotors cast water away, so they do not hold water as a drum brake would. This makes them better in wet conditions. 

They also dissipate heat better than drums brakes. This means they are less likely to fade and last longer with less maintenance. Finally, during heavy braking, they will not lock as much as their counterparts.

Disc Brake Cons

Disc brakes are more expensive to make, and this is passed on to consumers. This expense means they can also cost more to maintain. 

Industrial Brakes

Once you know the difference, you can begin to decide which is best for your needs. Kor Pak has many solutions for your industrial disc and drum brake needs. Browse our catalog, then contact us for a quote.

How Does It Work: Overrunning Clutch

If you’ve ever coasted downhill on a bicycle, you’ve enjoyed the benefits of an overrunning clutch.

But an overrunning clutch does more than smooth out a bicycle ride. They make heavy machinery function efficiently and safely. Keep reading to learn about how an overrunning clutch works. 

What is an Overrunning Clutch? 

An overrunning clutch is also known as a freewheel clutch. It is a mechanism that allows the driven shaft to turn freely under specific conditions.

You can find an overrunning clutch in heavy-duty applications as well as bicycles. The agriculture, aerospace, mining, and industrial metal processing industries all benefit from the overrunning clutch. 

How Does an Overrunning Clutch Work? 

When the shaft you’re controlling, the driven shaft, rotates faster than the drive shaft, the overrunning clutch will mechanically disconnect the two shafts. So the driven shaft can keep moving faster without affecting the driven shaft.

The overrunning clutch overruns the process, allowing the driven shaft to spin freely without the driveshaft controlling it. 

This is why a cyclist can keep moving downhill without moving his pedals, making inventions like the e-bike possible. 

Technically, the overrunning clutch transfers torque only in one direction. The overrunning clutch then permits the driven shaft to keep rotating even when you stop the driver. 

Bicycles and Heavy Machinery

You can find an overrunning clutch on more than a bicycle, though. You can find it in just about any mechanical piece of machinery.

The overrunning clutch will connect to coaxial shafts. Sometimes it will connect a shaft to a freely moving part resting on the shaft. 

Not all overrunning clutches look the same. You can find these three configurations:

  • Ratchet and jaw configuration
  • Circular cylinder and eccentric rollers
  • Self-tensioning helical springs

Each of these configurations helps create an overrunning clutch. You can find them in a variable transmission where they convert a rocking motion to a rotary motion.

You will also find them in machines like metal-cutting machines with high-speed shifting. These machines need a slowly rotating shaft to rotate faster in the same direction. Arresting devices and winding mechanisms that need a clutch to prevent reverse shaft rotation also use overriding clutches. 

What is the Purpose of the Overrunning Clutch in the Starter Drive? 

When you attempt to start your heavy machinery, you need the engine to start to turn freely as your engine attempts to run. The overrunning clutch in the starter drive makes this happen. So the overrunning clutch transmits torque in one direction but then freewheels in another direction. 

The starter motor can then transmit torque to the ring gear. This way, the ring gear cannot transfer torque to the starter motor. 

PTO Overrunning Clutch Function 

You may wonder, from 0–10, what does a PTO overrunning clutch do? 

Similarly, the overrunning clutch allows a shaft to freewheel; the overrunning clutch allows a PTO shaft to move in one direction. Thus the overrunning clutch controls the speed of the implement that a tractor is hauling. It prevents the farm implement from going faster than the speed of the tractor when the tractor slows down. 

So, the overrunning clutch accomplishes which of the following? 

  • A vehicle can start. 
  • The implement being hauled cannot run faster than the tractor hauling it. 
  • You can coast downhill on your bicycle. 

If you’ve answered all three, you are correct. 

Critical Element

Because the overriding clutch is critical, you should have your heavy machinery inspected regularly. Overhead cranes and the like need regular maintenance. 

Contact us for all of your parts and mechanical inspection needs.

Clutch Facing: Everything You Should Know

When you’re operating heavy-duty equipment, you depend on your clutch more than you may realize. For this reason, having a quality clutch facing is essential.

You need a clutch because your engine constantly spins, but your industrial vehicle’s wheels don’t. Your clutch allows you to disconnect your wheels from the engine. As a result, you can stop your vehicle without killing your engine.

However, the clutch facing is just as important, as it helps to ensure that your clutch operates at its optimal level.

Here’s a rundown on everything you should know about oilfield clutch facing products.

Let’s jump in!

Purpose of a Clutch Facing

When you engage your clutch, you transfer power from your vehicle’s engine to your transmission system. During this process, your clutch facing makes sure that the gears don’t grind against one another. It also provides support and elasticity in your gear area.

In other words, the clutch facing prevents destructive metal-to-metal contact in your clutch set. This results in less wear and tear on your clutch components.

Clutch facings are also designed to remove the majority of your engine’s clutch vibrations. Without a clutch facing, your metal parts will wear out much faster. On top of this, the vibrations and noise coming from your clutch will be higher.

A clutch facing furthermore allows your engine to achieve a high speed without harming its components.

Quality Clutch Facings

Clutch facings can be used in a wide variety of industrial applications. For instance, you’ll find them not only in trucks that are heavy duty but also in marine engines, power presses, and the engines of lightweight vehicles.

These facings are manufactured from various materials, ranging from ceramic materials to woven fibers. Their materials must be durable so that they can endure the strong tension involved in creating heat energy from kinetic energy.

In fact, the higher quality your clutch facings are, the smoother and more stable your engine’s performance will be. 

Note, though, that facings will eventually wear down due to the engine’s extreme conditions and pressure. This is especially true if you consistently run your engine at high speed. 

For this reason, you should periodically check and replace your clutch facing. This will help to ensure that its protective elements remain intact.

How We Can Help

We offer top-tier clutch facing products along with other products designed to keep your heavy equipment operating smoothly and strongly. After all, we pride in helping our clients keep their heavy industry machinery operating at their peak efficiency.

For instance, we have a strong track record in sourcing top-of-the-line replacement parts, repairs, refurbishing or retrofitting. Also, we offer first-rate new parts, accessories, systems, and even custom fabrication to meet your unique needs.

Get in touch with us to learn more about how our clutch facing, and other products/services can keep your operations and, thus, your bottom line strong in the years ahead.

5 Surefire Signs That Your Stromag Industrial Brakes Need Repair

For safety, efficiency, and the health of your machines, the most vital piece of your industrial equipment will always be your brakes. Industrial disc brakes can be the difference between safe stops and major accidents. They don’t last forever, though.

Knowing when your industrial disc brakes are starting to fail takes a keen eye and ear. Through your routine maintenance checks, you can catch the tell-tale signs of a brake in need of repair.

What kind of signs should you look for? We have the expertise to help you spot the problems before they arise. 

The Big Signs for Brake Repair

Whether you are in a massive construction site or a busy factory, there will be many noise and distractions. These can hide many details if you are not careful, such as the 5 biggest signs that your industrial disc brakes need some repair. 

The best way to spot any of these issues is with proper maintenance and some operation communication. All 5 of these items will be easy spots for a trained operator, so ensure that your crew knows to be open and honest about issues with your machines. 

Let’s dive deeper into the 5 sure signs of a brake going bad. 

1. Squeaking Brakes

Industrial disc brakes should not make any major sounds when they work. A loud squeak or squeal is a major sign that the brakes themselves have hit their limit.

This sound is often made from the metal indicators beneath the brake pads. When a brake pad wears through, it exposes that metal indicator, and the squeaking sound happens as it connects.

2. Rough Vibrations

While engines may vibrate a bit when operating, your brakes should not vibrate and rattle. This can often come from warped rotors in the brakes themselves. 

Rotors will warp after enough heat, so well worn brakes may see warping over a long period. 

3. Veering Directions

One of the most dangerous signals on this list is that some vehicles may veer in one direction when you set the brake in. This issue will be similar to a car’s misalignment of the steering system. 

If your brakes have gotten knocked out of place bad enough that the engines veer to one side or another when you brake, you are in desperate need of an emergency repair. Letting this go can cause some unexpected accidents as you veer into a collision. 

4. Slow Brake Response

Another dangerous sign of a bad brake is a slow response. Even a few extra seconds of time between operating the brake and the machine or vehicle stopping can be a big issue. 

This can also be a sign of a deeper problem. There may also be a problem with the connections between your brakes and their controls. 

5. Repair Indicators

Sometimes the easiest signal is the most powerful. Most machines have indicators and sensors to monitor the status of all of your pieces. These should be right on the dashboard or near the controls. 

If you spot one of these flashing indicators, don’t ignore it! Even if it is a false alarm, it is better to be safe than sorry. 

The Best Place for Industrial Disc Brakes

All of these signs can be subtle or sudden. With the proper maintenance and skilled operators at the helm, they won’t remain unnoticed. 

When the times comes for replacement and repair for your industrial disc brakes, no one beats us here at Kor Pak. Contact us today for more information. 

Are Hydraulic Disc Brakes Worth It? (The Answer Is Yes!)

Nothing causes fear like when your brakes don’t respond. This fear is multiplied when you’re sitting in the seat of heavy equipment.

Crane operators, truck drivers, and all heavy-equipment technicians know the gravity of their work. One malfunctioning part spells disaster and puts lives at risk.

Brakes matter. The hydraulic disc brake has distinct advantages over its mechanical competitor. Keep reading to learn about why hydraulic disc brakes win the race of stopping. 

Proven Brakes

Hydraulic brakes have a proven record. They’ve existed since 1918 when Malcolm Loughead proposed the idea of a brake system that used hydraulics. By the 1930s, all car manufacturers had adopted some form of hydraulic brakes. 

In the late 40s and early 50s, when cars became too heavy for hydraulic brakes, Chrysler integrated disc brakes with hydraulics. 

Some vehicles began installing drum brakes and hydraulic brakes, using drum brakes as a backup when the hydraulics failed. However, hydraulics have proven themselves to the point that few vehicles have a combination system today. 

The heavy equipment industry has especially capitalized on hydraulic brakes. Industrial equipment uses hydraulic disc brakes because of their proven record. 

Reliable Performance

Modern safety testing has proven the safety and reliability of hydraulic disc brakes. You can trust them. The fact that they’re used widely in heavy equipment also proves their reliability. 

Efficient and Economical Parts

Hydraulic disc brakes make you come to a complete stop more quickly. They work quickly and efficiently. 

Plus, hydraulic disc brakes are more efficient. They take up less space than a drum brake and cost less.  

Longevity

Hydraulic disc brakes last longer than mechanical brakes because of how they work. Disk brakes dissipate heat thoroughly and distribute heat evenly. This even distribution results in less wear and tear overall.

So when it’s time to start looking for equipment like an electrohydraulic disc thruster and actuator, you’ve already put your hydraulic disk brakes through the mill. They last a long time. 

Ease of Repair

You can repair hydraulic disc brakes more easily because the parts are more readily available. Because you find hydraulic disc brakes in most heavy equipment, you can find the parts necessary for repair without much trouble.

Also, you can diagnose the problem quickly. When the brake system has sustained damage, you’ll know because you’ll see brake fluid. Otherwise, when a hydraulic brake system is functioning properly, the brakes are sealed. 

A skilled mechanic will know how to adjust hydraulic disc brakes easily, making the repair simple. 

Your research may lead you to wonder if there’s a difference between disk vs. disc. There isn’t.

From a functional standpoint, there’s no difference between the terms “disc” and “disk.” These two words refer to the same part, but with a different letter. 

Hydraulic Disc Brakes for the Win

Hydraulic brakes are worth the money. They have a proven record of reliability, not to mention efficiency. Just about any skilled mechanic can fix them, and you can diagnose problems easily.

If you’re looking for hydraulic disc brake parts, we’re here for you. We have the parts you may need to get your heavy equipment back up and running. For all of your industrial hydraulic disc brake needs, contact us

 

What Are the Common Engagement Modes for Industrial Clutches and Brakes?

The massive inner workings of your industrial equipment have a long list of essential details. One misalignment or misunderstanding, and it can send the entire line of machinery to a damaging halt.

To ensure that your machines run with perfect smoothness, you need to understand the proper use of your industrial clutches and brakes. This means delving into the standard modes of engagement.

Let’s dig a bit deeper and see what these common modes are and what they can mean. 

The Common Modes for Engagement for Clutches and Brakes

There are four major modes of engagement for any clutch or brake system. Each of these provides a different mechanism shifting or stopping your machinery and various forms of maintenance and compatibility.

The four major modes of engagement are mechanical, electrical, fluidic, and self-actuation.

1. Mechanical

Mechanical modes of engagement often work with a level or other simple mechanism to trigger engagement and disengagement. This mechanism will squeeze friction discs to provide torque transmission. 

A lock mechanism is often common for this mode, often in a simple mechanical lock to the level itself. Engaging or disengaging the lock can restart the engagement mode. 

Mechanical modes often carry the most wear and tear due to heavy physical connection points. 

2. Electrical

Electrical modes of engagement often center around an electromagnet. This provides the needed power around an armature to either move it from a friction disc or to provide a similar squeezing motion to the mechanical mode.

Electrical modes of engagement often last for a long while and can even have built-in adjustment mechanisms to keep the mode accurate. 

3. Fluidic

Fluidic modes of engagement use transmission fluid as a boundary layer. This fluid acts as a protective barrier between the friction discs and drive plates as they come together. This fluid can then transmit torque between the discs and the plates.

For rapid shifts in applications, such as going from start to stop or switching from full speed to reverse, fluidic modes of engagement are some of the most efficient available. 

Oil-shear technology is one of the most common of fluidic applications. While it can produce a large amount of heat even when in neutral, heat dissipates as the fluid circulates back into the housing.  

4. Self-Actuation

The self-actuation brake mode is an entire system of connections and balances that help provide a smooth and automatic braking system for any significant machinery. 

The system works with a band that centers around a brake drum. This band then ties its free ends to the braking mechanisms themselves, often a pair of levers set on either side on a particular axis. As one lever shifts to engage the discs and plates of the machinery, the other takes on the tension to provide a balance. 

This back and forth shift can provide a stable and reversible brake flow without the strain of a basic mechanical brake function. 

Mastering the Modes of Engagement and Beyond

Getting the most out of your clutches and brakes starts with a better understanding of what each clutch and brake can do. From there, it is all about the right parts and pieces to keep your industry running.

For those parts and pieces, there are few more trusted in the industry than us here at Kor-Pak. Contact us today for more information!