Kumera clutches, Desch clutches, Centrex clutches and Conax clutches, with so many makes and models of industrial clutches on offer, choosing the right one can be challenging.
As Motion Control Tips advises, the first step is to decide whether you require a clutch or a brake. These two important industrial parts have different uses. Industrial brakes are essentially used to stop a load, whilst clutches are used to slow down torque, the force that causes rotation. Clutches are typically required in applications in which a load and motor must be either disengaged or engaged.
It is also common for a combination of brakes and clutches to be required in order for a load to be stopped and started whilst the motor maintains rotation.
Horsepower and size of frame
When selecting an industrial clutch it is important to define the horsepower (HP) of the motor, as well as its frame size. As Altra Motion informs, manufacturers of industrial parts such as clutches and brakes, provide quick selection charts, whereby “unit size is determined by finding the intersection of Motor HP and Speed at the Clutch shaft.”
This chart is usually generated by using the torque capacity for the motor and the dynamic torque capacity for the product, in addition, as Altra Motion writes, “an overload factor of some value.”
Motion Control Tips reiterates the importance the horsepower of the motor plays in determining which specific industrial clutch to opt for and suggests using the manufacturers’ quick selection charts, which list unit sizes as a means of deciding which clutch to use for an application.
When determining the size of frame it is important to remember that in certain cases, depending on the horsepower of a motor, there may be more than one frame size to choose from. For example, as Motion Control Tips writes, “One-horsepower motors can be either a 56C frame or a 143TC frame-motors, which would impact the size of the shaft.
When selecting the likes of Desch, Kumera and Conax clutches, it is also important to choose the unit mounting, as clutches can either be base-mounted or mount to the motor shaft, as well as having input though a chain drive, coupling or belt drive.
As YB Components wrote in a blog titled ‘Explaining Different Types of Industrial Clutches’ choosing the right industrial clutch for a particular application requires a degree of technical expertise.”
Whatever industrial clutch you are looking for, whether it’s a specialist clutch or a more universal one, YB Components are experts in dealing with all makes and models of industrial parts and can help you locate the right part.
Get in touch today on 01977603853 or email sales@ybcomponents.co.uk to discuss all your industrial component requirements.