You need industrial brakes. Which type will be best suited for your application?
Do you need pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric actuation? Will disc or drum brakes be a better choice?
Hydraulic disc brakes offer an advantage in many situations. A hydraulic disc brake can handle applications that need higher torque. It distributes heat more evenly and is less likely to overheat.
Hydraulic disc brakes are less prone to brake fade compared to other types of brakes. They use fluid pressure instead of friction. The brake pads don’t wear as quickly.
Learn more about hydraulic disc brakes, their advantages, and their common industrial uses.
Dynamic Braking
The most apparent use for industrial brakes is to bring a moving part to a complete stop. This is known as dynamic or active braking.
Many types of industrial vehicles can use hydraulic disc brakes for this purpose. Construction equipment and agricultural machinery are some examples. Wind turbines are another application for hydraulic brakes.
Holding
Hydraulic disc brakes can stop and hold industrial machinery parts during an action. Holding brakes are common on rotating equipment, like winches and cable wheels. Holding brakes have many applications, such as:
- Factory automation
- Medical equipment
- Elevators and escalators
- Construction equipment
- Robotics
Hydraulic brakes can stop the load before holding it, as well as simply holding it. They’re a good option for high-inertia loads. They give the operator more control, which makes them well-suited for high-load applications like amusement park rides.
Tensioning
Tensioning controls the speed of a moving part. It creates drag to control movement instead of stopping the movement altogether. The most common uses for tensioning brakes are web systems that handle rolls of material like tape, wire, or paper.
Electric friction brakes are a common choice for tensioning. They aren’t well-suited for high-torque applications, though. Hydraulic brakes are better when high torque, high speed, or wide tension strength are necessary.
Fail-Safe
Hydraulic spring-applied disc brakes are a good choice for emergency braking. They use hydraulic pressure to hold the brake open. If power is lost or the brake is turned off, the spring engages the brake.
Hydraulic brakes exert very high torque.
Disc brakes are capable of higher rubbing speeds than drum brakes. They can handle higher surface temperatures during an e-stop. They dissipate the heat generated by braking more efficiently.
Fail-safe brakes are a safety requirement for many types of industrial equipment, including:
- Mining and construction vehicles
- Rail cars
- Agricultural equipment
- Hoists and cranes
- Manufacturing equipment and conveyors
Hydraulic brakes can help you meet safety requirements and machinery directives.
Finding the Right Hydraulic Disc Brake
A hydraulic disc brake can serve many purposes. You can use it as a dynamic brake for holding or tensioning. Hydraulic brakes work well as fail-safe brakes.
Finding the right brakes for your application is essential for safety and performance.
Kor-Pak has a diverse catalog of industrial hydraulic disc brakes. We can also design custom brakes to meet your needs. We’ll help you find the right industrial machinery parts and keep them running efficiently.
Browse Kor-Pak’s selection of industrial disc brakes and reach out with any questions. We’re committed to exceeding your expectations with our parts and customer service.