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.