Industrial robots, conveyors, wind turbines, machine tools, packaging machines and pumps are just some of the places you’ll find torque limiters. By Lawrence Kren • Contributing writer Torque limiters actuate on the order of milliseconds to prevent overload, shock, and torque spikes that could otherwise damage components or shorten operating life. They also serve in […]
Brakes + Clutches
Electromagnetic-actuated clutches engage polyethelene sheet rolls quickly and accurately
Engaging individual polyethylene sheet rolls with no system downtime is accomplished with speed and accuracy using Miki Pulley CSZ Clutches. Continuously operating via servo motor power by way of a V-belt, individual roll spools automatically switch on/off as programmed when engaged by the CSZ clutches. These high-performance clutches function using electro-magnetic force generated by an […]
New micro brakes for small, precise equipment applications
Fast braking response in small, precision torque applications are the primary benefit of Miki Pulley Micro Brakes. Where high performance braking for small motion control applications are required, these Micro Brakes provide the solution. Miki Pulley’s ultra-compact brake design features a stator with integrated mounting flange, proprietary composite friction liner and armature complete with ring […]
What are electromagnetic power-off brakes and where are they used?
Power-off brakes are commonly used in motion control applications for stopping or holding a load (or both), especially on vertical axes or for emergency stop functionality in servo applications. Power-off brakes are so named because the brake is engaged when power is removed from the system — either intentionally or accidentally. (Power-off brakes are also […]
More about what it means for servo brakes to have functional-safety certification
In the article What are functional safety standards for servo drives? we review how functional safety is quantified. Now consider one example of a spring-set pneumatically released friction servomotor brake now having a third-party safety rating (from Intertek Group) certifying compliance with international safety standard ISO 13849-1. Intertek is an international London-headquartered inspection, assurance, product […]
Power-off engaged brakes for conveyor applications
Miki Pulley’s latest model BXW power-off engaged brakes are designed to halt a motorized conveyor roller when system power is disengaged. These new BXW brakes are spring-actuated electromagnetic brakes. They provide reliable dynamic braking when conveyor power is disengaged and excellent performance for longer-term holding requirements for staging, loading and unloading conveyor operations. BXW brakes […]
Inductive proximity and magneto resistive sensors enhance IoT4.0 connectivity for Nexen brake families
Nexen Group, Nexen Servo, Rail, and ZSE brake lines now have Industry 4.0 connectivity sensor options to enhance machine efficiency. Multiple sensors integrated into the brake families provide information about brake operation and health to the control system network. The sensors used in the spring-operated air-released ZSE brakes provide operation information such as brake engagement […]
Podcast: Dave Hein of Nexen Group on brakes having functional safety certification
In our most recent Technology Tuesdays podcast, Dave Hein — senior vice president and engineering and chief technology officer at Nexen Group — chatted with us about three brake options that now have Functional Safety certification. Listen in: Design World · Brakes with Functional Safety certification: Update from Nexen Group engineer Dave Hein According […]
How do shear pin torque limiters work and when are they used?
Shear pin torque limiters are a simple, cost-effective design for protecting equipment from torque overloads. In their most basic form, they incorporate a pin (or, for very high torque ratings, multiple pins) inserted between two rotating elements, such as discs or flanges. When torque is being transmitted from the driving to the driven load, the […]
How do ball detent torque limiters work and when are they used?
Rotating equipment such as motors, gearboxes, and fans can experience a torque overload if the system encounters an unexpected malfunction such as a jam or crash of the driven load. One way to protect these expensive components — and to avoid physical injury to personnel — is to install a torque limiter in the drive […]
