In just one year, the American manufacturing industry can generate $2.33 trillion in revenue. That’s nearly 12% of the US’s GDP, so there are clear statistics as to how vital this industry is to our economy.

To continue to thrive, manufacturing plants need to continually update the methods they use and the tools they have to maximize output. This means having the correct industrial brakes and clutches for their needs.

Sintered vs. organic brake pads is an important distinction to make when choosing the right brake pads for you, so read on to learn more about both these options!

What Are Sintered Brake Pads?

Sintered brake pads are made of various metallic particles fused together. This is done by applying heat and pressure to the particles and ensuring that they mold together effectively and intricately. This process is, as you may imagine, called ‘sintering,’ and the final product is incredibly resistant to friction.

This resistance is the reason that sintered brake pads are the most widely used type on the market. All the friction generated will go into stopping the machinery rather than being absorbed by the brake pads, meaning that the pads are highly effective. Furthermore, your industrial machinery will stop efficiently without wear and tear, harming the brake pads.

How Do Organic Brake Pads Work?

Unlike sintered brake pads, organic ones are combined with resin. They’re a mix of fibers and fillers, not entirely made of metallic parts. They’re durable but slightly less so than sintered brake pads. Also, they are ideal for smaller machinery as well as machines that aren’t operating in extreme hot or cold conditions.

The main advantage of organic brake pads is they’re a lot smoother than other brake pad types. While sintered brakes stop the machine more abruptly, organic ones are more gradual.

Sintered vs. Organic Brake Pads

Sintered brake pads are louder than organic ones because they create more friction. If you value low noise levels, you may want to try organic brake pads. However, since sintered ones do have more friction, they’ll be able to stop your machinery more quickly than organic ones would be able to.

Organic brake pads are also pretty environmentally friendly. You don’t need to go through the energy-sucking sintering process to create them, and all of the materials they’re made from are recyclable. This is great, but you will sacrifice some durability. Just something to think about!

Also, the sintered vs. organic distinction is also made with motorcycle brake pads. This shows that both of these brake pad types can operate on machines of any size.

Get Cracking!

Running a manufacturing plant can be a challenge. It’s much easier when you have the appropriate equipment to get the job done efficiently.

Now you know the difference between sintered vs. organic brake pads and have an idea of which is the right choice for your industrial plant. It’s time, then, to get the brake pads that will work best for you at an affordable rate. Click here to contact us with any questions you may have on industrial machinery and to get an estimate of how much it will cost you to get the right clutches.

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If you’re one of the two million farmers in the US or regularly work with heavy farming equipment like tractors for any reason, you’re lucky if you’ve never had to use your emergency brakes. Still, you likely know that they’re there for a reason and feel much more comfortable knowing that you have a failsafe in case of an emergency.

You’ve also likely wondered how emergency brakes work before, and it’s quite an interesting process. There’s an intricate cable system that works to stop the machine, but there’s more to it than that. Here, we’re going to discuss brakes and clutches that farming machinery uses for emergencies, so read on to learn more about the equipment you love.

What Are Emergency Brakes?

On pretty much any piece of equipment, be it industrial or farming-related, hydraulic brakes are installed as the main braking system for the machine. Generally, these brakes work well, but there are some situations in which they may suddenly fail.  That’s where emergency brakes come in!

These caliper disc brakes are attached to the tractor or other equipment in a different location than the main brakes and are used as a failsafe should the hydraulic brakes stop working. Generally, they’re made from one cable that connects to two-wheel brakes that then connect to a mechanism that can pull them to a stop. Pull a manual switch, and the brakes will take action.

How Emergency Brakes Work in Construction Vehicles

In the most basic sense, the emergency brake bypasses the use of the hydraulic brake to lock the machine’s wheels in place and inhibit movement. The cable system discussed above is connected to the emergency brake lever, which allows for the driver of your tractor or other large equipment to pull a lever and trigger this cable to be pulled. Ultimately, this will put enough friction on the wheels to stop the machine.

In machines that have drum brakes rather than rotor ones, the cables will put pressure in another area as well. This area is another lever that holds the shoes on the wheel of your machinery. This system stops the wheels from continuing to move and stops the machine as quickly as possible.

Learn More About Emergency Brakes

While you hope never to need to deploy your emergency brakes, it’s essential to maintain them to the best of your ability. After all, you never know when you might need them as a failsafe so that both you and your equipment can keep going strong.

Now that you know how emergency brakes work on heavy farming equipment, it’s time to look into getting brake and clutch accessories to make your machinery run more smoothly. Click here to shop for accessories that will ensure that this happens at an affordable price.

No matter how powerful your vehicle is, there’s one thing even more important than its engine: its brakes. This is especially true for large industrial vehicles where failing brakes can cause more than just a fender bender. 

To keep your brakes in tip-top shape, you will occasionally need to reline them.

Brake relining might seem like a complicated process that requires professional assistance. But, you can become an expert in brake relining yourself! 

Read on for everything you need to know.

What Is Brake Relining?

Brakes are a relatively simple mechanism. When you press the brake, the brakes apply pressure to the wheel, bringing it to a stop.

However, metal-on-metal doesn’t stop very quickly, so to increase braking power, nearly all braking mechanisms use some sort of non-metal liner to add more friction. Note: electromagnetic brakes typically will not use a brake liner.

This is a liner that is often made of rubber, Kevlar, or ceramic, but other non-metal materials may be used.

This liner is meant to be replaced regularly to maintain the proper operation of the brakes. Here’s how to do it. 

The Step By Step Guide

First, take off the brake drum. Examine it for any excess damage. If it is damaged, you will need to replace more than just the liner.

Inspect the brake liner. Look for signs of uneven wear, as this can point to more significant issues with the brake drum. Also inspect bushings, rollers, and pins. If one side is more worn than the other, your brakes will need to be recalibrated in addition to being relined.

Remove the old liner and remove the old grease and adhesive from the brake drum. You can use a powerful debonding agent or high heat to do this. 

Remove the bushings, rollers, pins, and springs along with the old liner. 

Clean the brake drum surface where the lining will be bonded. Any debris will get in the way of your liner adhering well to the drum, so be thorough.

Prepare the new liner. Make sure it complies with all guidelines laid out by your brake manufacturer and is the proper size. 

Apply the bonding agent to the new liner and set it in place. 

As you replace the liner, pay attention to the fit. Look for signs of warping or stretching. Pay careful attention to how it fits the anchor pin and roller pins. If it is stretched or warped, you will need a different size. Inspect all hardware to ensure it will operate properly.

Make any necessary adjustments to assure proper fit, then road test the vehicle. Make several stops. After the brakes have cooled, inspect them to make sure the brakes are correctly adjusted.

Get Ready to Stop

After following this brake relining process, your brakes should be ready to go—or stop, instead. 

If you need additional help finding the right parts or installing them, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to help you get your equipment back in commission. 

If you were not aware, industrial vehicles use a different type of braking system known as electric brakes. They are typically standard in cranes and trailers. An electronic brake is similar to hydraulic brakes in cars. 

Keep reading to learn more about how electric brakes work in industrial vehicles.

Brake Controller

Every electric brake has and needs a brake controller. The controller is what modulates the electrical current that is sent to the electric trailer brake anytime the brake pedal is pressed. 

The controller is connected to the stoplight switch and the vehicle battery. When you depress the brake pedal, the controller is energized.

You have two options when it comes to a brake controller:

Proportional Controllers

This type of controller is also known as an inertia controller. Proportional controllers have a mechanism that determines how quickly the tow vehicle is stopping, and it modulates the power to the brakes in proportion to how fast the vehicle is stopping. The brakes are applied at the same rate and at the same time as the tow vehicle brakes. 

Time Delay Controller

This controller option is not automatic, like proportional controllers. The controls have to be adjusted to compensate for the weight of the vehicle the moment the brakes are pressed.

If a time delay controller is not adjusted correctly it can lead to too much stopping assistance or too little. Either way, it can cause an accident or hurt the driver.

The Mechanics Explained

Now that you know that there is always a controller present with electric brakes, let’s go over how exactly they work. There is an electromagnet in the backing plate that has two conductor wires that tap directly into the trailer wiring. 

When the electricity is on, the brake magnet magnetizes, and it is attracted to the drum face. Once it makes contact, the friction makes it rotate, which causes the actuating arm to move, which then pushes the shoes out against the drum. Once those shoes come in contact with the inside of the drum and press on them, it prevents the hub and wheel from spinning.

How Does Electricity Reach the Brakes?

There is an electrical connection on the industrial vehicle (crane, trailer, etc) that plugs into the connector on the vehicle. There are electrical wires that run from the trailer connector to each brake on the axle and the trailer lights to complete the circuit.

As soon as the driver hits the brakes, a current of electricity goes from the brake control to the vehicle. Then the brake control sends a current back to the vehicle and activates the electrical brakes.

Feeling Like an Electric Brake Pro?

Now that you are aware of how an electric brake works in industrial vehicles, you can ensure that you are safe next time you are using a vehicle with an electric brake. Electric brakes might sound more complicated than regular vehicle brakes, but now that we have explained in further detail, we hope you are feeling confident next time you are handling any industrial vehicle that is equipped with electric brakes.

If you need electric brake parts, we can help you find what you need. Please contact us today we are ready to help you!

Despite a decrease in overall production and sales, the steel industry still produced a whopping $17.4 million dollars in 2019 revenue. This is only one industry that uses industrial brakes in its day-to-day operations, with other metal manufacturing plants also regularly using these brakes. No matter how you look at it, industrial brakes and clutches- including thruster brakes- are here to stay.

If you’re looking to increase production value at your plant, look no further than thruster brakes. Read on to learn some of the essential thruster benefits so that your business will be booming in no time.

1. They’re Affordable

Thruster drum brakes are an incredibly affordable purchase for your industrial plant, especially considering how much use you’ll get out of them. While there are various financing options for your thruster, you can contact us to get a quote as to how much it’s going to cost you!

2. They’re Versatile

Thrusters are great because they can be used in basically any manufacturing conditions. They can survive high temperatures on their own, but this is made even more possible with the addition of high-temperature kits or silicone fluid.

They can also be used with variable frequency drives since the setting of the brakes can be put on a timer. The operator can also add set and release switches to the thruster, making its operations automatic. This saves you the stress and hassle of manually operating such a large and potentially hazardous piece of machinery.

3. They’re Easy to Maintain

Despite their size and versatility, thruster breaks are incredibly easy to maintain.

These machines consist of two essential parts: a hydro-electric actuator/thruster and the movement. Occasionally, you’ll need to do things like clean and recondition the movement or change out the lining of the brake shoes.

These parts can both be professionally maintained regularly at a meager fee, and they can be refurbished to be like new after even years of use. The fact of the matter is that thruster brakes were explicitly designed for easy maintenance, and they live up to that reputation.

4. Part Replacement Is Easy

When you have a thruster that you’re operating, it’s only natural that it will go through some regular wear and tear. Parts that help the machine operate are going to need to be replaced on occasion, meaning that you’ll need to order new ones. Items like brake wheels, shoes, reline brake shoes, enclosures, limit switches, self-adjust mechanisms, and pins will need to be monitored and replaced at intervals.

We at Kor-Pac sell all the parts and accessories you may need for your thruster on our website. This makes buying new parts incredibly simple, and you won’t even need to pay two shipping fees if you order your parts at the same time!

Get These Thruster Benefits Today

 While selecting the correct machinery for your industrial needs can be a challenge, thruster brakes can make your job a lot easier.

Now that you know the top thruster benefits for your manufacturing plant’s brake needs, it’s time to get shopping and get a brake. Click here to learn more about our selection of industrial brakes and clutches so you can make the decision of which one is best for you.

Every day around the world, several types of mechanical brakes are used in material handling, production, and other heavy industries. While you may only think of car brakes, these brakes help the industry that powers our world. 

Types of Mechanical Brakes

Brakes can be divided into mechanical and non-mechanical types of braking. 

Mechanical brakes use friction to slow or stop machinery and wheels. Non-mechanical brakes such as eddy current brakes are also used. 

1. Disc Brakes 

Disc brakes use a rotor that is connected to a shaft. This rotor spins between a caliper, which has multiple cylinders that each can push a brake pad or other friction material onto the rotor. This causes the rotor to slow momentum as friction builds up. 

Disc brakes, in particular, are often used hydraulically. One key area in the debate of hydraulic vs. mechanical disc brakes is the dispersion of heat. Heat is a natural byproduct of arresting momentum with friction, and all brakes heat up while in use. 

2. Drum Brakes

Drum brakes are one of the oldest and most common types of mechanical brakes. A curved bracket called a shoe has the brake pad attached to it. Two shoes are usually inside the drum, and when activated, they press on the inside of the drum, slowing the spinning drum. 

Mechanical load brakes are a form of drum brake used to help hold up a hoist. They serve as secondary brakes to prevent a crane from failing under heavy stress. 

3. Band Brakes

A band brake works by having bands of material that tighten around a moving object. This tightening force causes friction to build up and causes the spinning object or shaft to stop moving. This tightening can lead to excessive heat build-up and isn’t useful in all situations. 

4. Spring Brakes

Industrial brakes come in a lot of shapes and sizes. Spring brakes are mechanical brakes but require air pressure to operate. These brakes remain clamped unless air pressure is applied to open them. This is often called a failsafe brake, as it does not allow a part to move when not intended. 

5. Cone Brakes

A cone brake is one of the types of mechanical brakes that uses a drum, but the internal mechanism is different. Instead of using a shoe that is a bent bracket with a brake pad, the cone brake uses cones. These cones are coated with lining material and push against the drum to halt its momentum. 

Industrial Brakes  

Industrial brakes are used in all areas of operation for many industries. Mechanical PTO clutches are often used with these brakes. Using a clutch, power can transfer from a generator to an auxiliary piece of equipment. This can bleed of energy that would otherwise cause wear and tear on the brakes. 

Good Brakes are Essential 

High-quality mechanical brakes make work more efficient and prevent wear and tear on equipment. Safety is essential to any thriving industry, and Kor-Pak Corporation has the types of mechanical brakes you need for your business to run smoothly and safely.

In America, the manufacturing industry is currently thriving. In fact, not only does the manufacturing sector employ more than 12 million people directly, but it also allows for millions of other jobs to be indirectly sustained because if the goods manufactured.

For the manufacturing industry to continue to grow, plants must be supplied with the latest and most efficient equipment for getting the job done. One of the most necessary pieces of industrial equipment is a clutch. 

What Is an Industrial Clutch?

At the most basic level, an industrial clutch is a device that you attach to your machinery that controls the transmission of power within it. It can engage and disengage the power transmission of various large machines within a manufacturing area or plant, usually altering the power transmission between the driving shaft to the driven shaft.

There are a few key types of industrial clutches. Industrial drum brakes are one of the most common. Drum/shoe brakes operate under most industrial conditions and conform to AISE or DIN standards. There are also DISCK or-Pak brakes that can furnish even the highest of Torque requirements. Storm brakes also exist, and they’re ideal for extreme heat or cold weather conditions. These brakes are also mountable and can be beamed or mounted against walls.

How Does It Work?

Clutches connect to two rotating shafts within a mechanical device. These come in the form of either drive shafts or line shafts. In any case, one of the two shafts (called the driving member) will be attached to an engine or another type of power unit. At the same time, the other shaft (named the driven member) provides the output power to make the clutch work.

Most of the time, the motions that these shafts go through are rotary, meaning that they spin in a circle to make the clutch function properly. There are, however, some that move in a linear fashion.

Industrial clutches have a lot of working parts, but fortunately, it’s possible to easily replace or refurbish those that might need it at Kor-Pak. Make sure to perform regular maintenance inspections on your clutch and ensure that you’re as productive with it as possible.

Get a Wichita Clutch Today

While selecting an industrial clutch for your plant can be a difficult task, you’ve just made it a lot easier on yourself by understanding the nuances of how they work.

Now that you know all about industrial clutches and how they work, it’s time to get a Wichita Clutch for use at your business plant. Click here to learn how Kor-Pak can help you select the perfect clutch for your industrial needs and what each of your options are. You’ll be operating at full speed ahead before you know it.

Brakes are all around us. You can find them in cars, trucks, windmills, and just about any piece of industrial machinery. 

Brakes come in all forms, from drums to rotors to electromagnetic to hydraulic.

Keep reading to learn more about how hydraulic assist brakes work and where you can find them. 

Hydraulic Assist Brakes: What Are They?  

Hydraulic assist brakes came about in 1973 and are also known as hydro-boost power assist brakes. They work as an alternative to vacuum boost assist brakes.

Before hydraulic brakes existed, brakes in vehicles used a vacuum booster, drawing pressure from the vacuum system in the engine.

With hydraulic assist brakes, hydraulic pressure from the power steering system in a vehicle or from a different system in the machinery provides the operator with an assist in applying the brakes.

You would typically use hydraulic brakes for three different reasons: 

1. Your vehicle has no vacuum source available. This is often the case with a diesel engine. 
2. You do not have enough space for a power-assist device. 
3. Your vehicle requires more braking assistance than a vacuum booster can give you. 

How Do Hydraulic Assist Brakes Work? 

In a vehicle, hydraulic assist brakes rely on the pressurized fluid that powers the power-steering. The hydraulic brake system will have a line plumbed in with the steering gear.

The power steering pump then supplies pressurized fluid for both the power steering gear and the hydraulic assist.

In short, when you apply the brakes, a spool valve that controls the fluid will move and allow pressurized fluid to assist in braking. This spool valve has a bore that creates a seal and yet still allows just enough fluid to provide the lubrication necessary for effective braking. 

Logically, then, if something would cause a loss of pressurized fluid to the steering, you would lose your brakes as well. However, a hydraulic system will have a backup or reserve.

Let’s say a hose breaks, a belt snaps, or a pump fails, and you lose pressurized fluid in your steering. With a hydraulic assist system, a high-pressure accumulator or back up will store enough power steering fluid for two to three power-assist stops.

That’s the basics of a simple hydraulic brake system. Hydraulic brake systems have evolved since the 70s, though.

Take air over hydraulic brakes, for example. In this case, the system uses compressed air and hydraulic pressure to make the brakes do their job. These brakes have a special air-over-hydraulic power cylinder with an air cylinder and hydraulic cylinder that work in tandem to make brakes function efficiently.

Where Do We See Hydraulic Brakes? 

Hydraulic-assist brakes work well in vehicles, but engineers see other uses as well. For example, a typical windmill brake in a wind turbine used to rely on rotors, but some turbines now have hydraulic-assist brakes. 

Industrial brakes can benefit from hydraulic brake technology. Past braking systems used drum brakes, which could overheat. Engineers are developing brakes where hydraulic oil is circulating behind the brake pads to keep the brakes from seizing. 

Larger, commercial vehicles typically employ air brakes. This system uses compressed air to activate the brake system as opposed to the compressed fluid in a hydraulic system. Smaller, domestic vehicles will use hydraulic over air brakes. 

Brake with Fluid

Hydraulic assist brakes provide an additional safety feature to just about any vehicle. 

For all of your brake needs, contact us. 

Did you know that you use electromagnetic brakes in your daily lives? While brakes may seem as if they are only used for extreme purposes, electromagnetic brakes have a wide variety of uses. From automotive, construction, even commercial use, such brakes are needed to operate and control machines.

With this guide, learn the benefits of electromagnetic brakes and how they’re useful in manufacturing equipment, from their role in production to how they can be helpful to you. Read on to learn some of the best qualities of electromagnetic brakes.

Benefits of Electromagnetic Brakes

Electromagnetic brakes have a variety of industrial purposes that make it one of the most requested brakes. It provides efficiency by allowing users to operate at optimal speed. If you keep these advantages in mind, you can get the best out of your electromagnetic brakes.

Electrically Activated But Transfer Torque Mechanically

Since electromagnetic brakes produce torque mechanically, they have over twice the power output of an engine. Unlike other brakes, when electromagnetic brakes are engaged, torque becomes more efficient. In such a state, torque can also regain the energy lost when braking.

Also, when designers construct torque, they first consider engagement time. The problem is, torque involves such a short engagement that it will start to lag after a long period. But, designers have come up with a solution: overexcitation. 

Overexcitation supplies a burst of voltage that’s higher than usual. This voltage will generate a faster engagement time. In turn, it can make engagement times long-lasting.

To Stop/ Maintain Power

Electromagnetic brakes stop power from continuing with electronic force. They also use their power to maintain a stopped state. Such a function is crucial in lifting items or transporting them from one place to the next. The spot at which the brake stops allows efficient work to be done. 

For example, in a machinery plant, an electromagnetic brake can stop and hold it’s position while a robot puts an item on its platform. Then that same platform can be transported to the next location. With such efficient braking, you’ll notice an increase in productivity due to it’s fast and smooth transitions.

How Are Electromagnetic Brakes Used in Manufacturing Equipment?

Electromagnetic brakes are featured in a variety of manufacturing equipment, including conveyor belts, copy machines, and food processing machinery. By providing smooth transitions from one place to the next, electromagnetic brakes offer backlash-free operation.

Also, they feature some of the best upgrades in modern cranes. You’ll not only save money but increase your profits due to its effective strategies.

So, How Can Electronmagetic Brakes Help You?

Since electromagnetic brakes power manufacturing equipment, they produce smooth operations. With powerful torque speed, they work to accomplish an end goal. By transporting items, electromagnetic brakes boost your productivity.

They can also save you money and increase your net gain. Unlike other braking systems, electromagnetic brakes don’t lag over time. For more information about braking systems, contact us.

In an industrial setting where heavy machinery is involved, the right type of brakes could save lives, prevent property losses, and allow your business to run more smoothly.

Whether you’re looking into manufacturing machinery or replacing parts on existing machinery, it’s essential to know about sintered friction material.

Keep reading to learn more about this type of brake, and it’s benefits and applications. As you’ll see, it’s a crucial part of several industries.

What are Sintered Friction Materials?

Sintered friction materials are created with a mixture of non-metallic and metallic powders.

Base

The base of sintered friction brakes typically consists of an iron or copper alloy. This is what the other materials are bonded to under pressure to create a strong brake that can withstand high heat.

Friction Agent

The other part of this braking material is the portion that provides friction. The materials used as friction agents vary depending on the application and offer a range of energy capacity, wear behavior, and costs.

Whatever materials are used, they are cold-compacted when in powder form between 12 and 18 psi. This bonds them to a steel backing along with any other wear-resistant agents and fillers the brakes may contain.

What Applications do Sintered Friction Materials Have?

Next, we’ll take a quick glance at some of the most common commercial applications for sintered friction materials.

• Wind turbines
• Drawworks
• High-speed transit
• Locomotives

Sintered brakes are also now standard on motorcycles and ATV’s.

Benefits of Sintered Friction Material

Now let’s jump into some of the benefits you can gain from using sintered friction material in brakes for industrial equipment and machinery. Knowing what they’re commonly used for, it’s easy to see why they’re used in those applications.

Stable Under Various Conditions

When using heavy machinery, it’s crucial to have a brake pad that’s stable under various temperatures. Braking materials that are unreliable under temperature changes can be dangerous.

For outdoor applications such as locomotives or wind turbines, it’s even more critical to have brakes that work in wet or dry conditions.

Handle High-Heat

The metallic properties of sintered friction materials allow it to withstand a much higher temperature than organic options.

Large pieces of machinery generate more heat when slowing down than smaller ones, which is why it’s essential to have materials that can handle the heat generated by friction.

No Warm-Up Time

Some types of brakes require some time to warm up before they start producing results. When you’re in a situation where you need to stop something large quickly, there’s no time for brakes to warm up.

This is the third significant benefit to sintered friction materials. They don’t require any time to warm up so you can expect them to act as soon as you need them to, making them safer and more effective.

Ready to Place an Order?

Now you know what sintered friction material is and how it’s used in a variety of industrial and other applications.

If your business needs a high-quality brake material that can withstand high temperatures, contact us today. We would love to provide you with a quote and help you get what you need to keep your business moving forward.