Motors, hoists, cranes, vehicles, and even wind turbines all have industrial braking systems as central components.
It’s key to understand the different types of brake calipers and brakes in your equipment. This way, you can easily identify problems and ensure quality maintenance.
Here is a short guide to the different types of industrial braking systems.
Brake Caliper Purpose
The purpose and function of brake calipers in a disc brake system are to slow the vehicle’s wheels by creating friction against the rotor.
The wheels attach to the rotor. By generating friction to the rotor, you apply friction to the wheels, thus slowing down the vehicle. This is how a brake caliper works.
Types of Brake Calipers
These are the different types of brake calipers that make up most industrial braking systems. They include pneumatic, hydraulic, and pneumatic spring-applied brakes.
They also include hydraulic spring-applied brakes and dual function mechanical/hydraulic brakes.
Industrial Braking Systems
Industrial braking systems come in some basic types listed below. Some vehicles and other equipment may have a combination of these types.
AC Disc Brakes
Electrohydraulic disc brake types FBT and FPT are spring-applied failsafe brakes. They act on a disc. Like AC Drum brakes, AC disc brakes release from the turbel, which is an electrohydraulic device.
The brake shoes on AC disc brakes have asbestos-free linings. The main shafts are stainless steel with self-lubricating bushes. Disc brakes also have a torque scale.
AC disc brakes have a self-adjusting system for arms and brake shoes. The design is symmetrical. Finally, they also have an eccentric transmission system, which makes them lighter, simpler, and require less maintenance.
AC Drum Brakes
Electrohydraulic drum brake types NAT, NDT, and NFT, are spring-applied, failsafe brakes that act on a drum. The brake releases via an electrohydraulic turbel. The turbel is a three-phase, AC electrohydraulic thruster.
In conventional models, the turbel is configured vertically (a linear shaft brake) or horizontally, as in the NDT-A models. The braking torque is adjustable, and the brake has an optional torque scale. With NDT-V models, the torque scale is standard.
The brakes have stainless steel shafts, and brake joints with self-lubricating bushes. The brake shoe linings are asbestos-free.
Some AC drum brakes have additional options, such as automatic lining wear adjustment and an open brake switch indicator. Other options include a lining wear detector, a hand-release lever, and reduced torque.
They may also have a pneumatic or hydraulic release, or progressive braking, made possible by a descent valve in the thruster.
DC Shunt Brakes
Electromagnetic drum brakes are brakes that work on a drum. They release by an electrically-applied spring. The brake releases through a DC-operated magnet.
Some manufacturers also offer mixed brake systems. They are a combination of the DC shunt and a hydraulic override pedal.
Emergency/Failsafe Brakes
NHCD series are the hydraulic emergency or failsafe brakes. They are spring-allied and hydraulically-released. NHCD brakes are for applications like cable drums and conveyors. A hydraulic unit must connect to them to work.
Each emergency brake has two half-calipers symmetrically mounted at each side of the disc’s central line. The springs determine the clamping force of the brake.
NHCD brakes can come with options that include an open brake switch indicator and a lining wear detector. They can also come with various sets of hoses and fittings as well as fixing bolts and brake brackets.
Questions About Industrial Brake Systems
This guide is only a basic overview. If you have more questions about industrial braking systems, please contact us.