Every machine or engine application that requires a clutch and brake system will have specific requirements set on the individual components. Some applications require heavy torque, some low inertia, and anything else in between. Therefore, the individual components themselves are manufactured to ensure adequate capability of withstanding such requirements.

In low inertia applications, a low inertia clutch and brake system is utilized.

Why Should You Opt for Low Inertia?

When it comes to industrial machines and equipment in the marine, oil, and gas, or mining industries, there is a lot of power and mass that needs to be controlled. These applications then require a lot of starting and stopping power that can be applied quickly and effectively. Low inertia clutches and brakes can provide that fast acting start/stop power.

How Do They Work?

Since the components of low inertia clutch and brake systems have extremely low inertia, they cut down on power consumption and heat build-up and can start and stop as quickly as needed for the application. A traditional clutch is composed of a flywheel, output disk, and a pressure plate. A low inertia clutch is (typically) composed of multiple plates and an engagement system that is inherently different with a much lower mass and inertia. This allows the system to engage and disengage quickly. The brake portion of a low inertia clutch and brake system is mounted on an end-shaft, which is usually the flywheel. The low inertia components of the heavy duty brakes allow for rapid and efficient engagement and minimal part movement which cuts down on acceleration time.

What Are Some Applications?

There are numerous applications in which the use of a low inertia industrial clutch and brake system would be beneficial. Primarily, applications concern projects in the mining, oil and gas, marine, metal and steel forming, and grinding mills. In essence, these industrial brake and clutch combos are effective in any application that requires start/stop power without compromising component integrity or machine capability.

Industrial machinery requires different component function than that of a similar component used in transportation applications. For instance, air disc brake adoption percentages for trailers is 8% to 10%, on trucks and tractors it’s 12% to 15%, and for industrial machinery, it could be much higher. So, if you have an application that requires efficient engagement and disengagement, you will want to utilize low inertia clutches and brakes.