Industrial Brakes Explained: Purpose, Applications, and Maintenance

We often associate braking systems with everyday cars and commercial vehicles moving along the highway when talking about braking systems. So it makes sense that industrial brakes are brakes used for heavy equipment such as construction excavators, backhoes, or skid steers. Yet industrial brakes also are found on processing equipment, medical imaging equipment, and many other applications. Understanding the purpose of these components allows you to set up, install, and maintain the industrial brake for your machinery.

Purpose of Industrial Brakes

Industrial brakes are designed to slow or stop the mechanical movement of components or systems. This process is done by using friction as the braking device will absorb the kinetic energy. There are other brakes available based on their purpose and how they may slow or stop mechanical movement. These components are called holding brakes and dynamic brakes.

Holding Brakes: Holding brakes are used to keep a component or machine in a stopped position until some other action is taken to release the hold.

Dynamic Brakes: Dynamic brakes will apply friction to bring a running mechanical component to a complete stop as the rotating load winds down.

Equipment or components may require a holding brake, a dynamic brake, or a combination of the two. Drum brakes and disc brakes are considered dynamic brakes. Disc brakes are appropriate for applications that need high torque but do not have space limitations for the brakes. Meanwhile, drum brakes are used for applications that need lower torque and may have space limitations. Drum brakes may use an electrohydraulic thruster, electromagnetic solenoid, hydraulic release, or pneumatic release for their operations.

Types of Industrial Brakes

Industrial brakes may also be further broken down by their functions or by how they are powered. These types include:

• Spring-loaded brakes: Brakes that slow-moving loads and will hold static loads in place only when the release mechanism is turned off.
• Hydraulic release brakes: A type of spring-loaded brake that provides adjustable torque by using hydraulic energy.
• Fail-safe brakes: Fail-safe brakes shut down the application’s movement immediately due to issues or power loss.

Applications for Industrial Brakes

Many industries have applications that use industrial brakes. Typical industries include manufacturing, warehousing, energy, oil & gas, medical, food processing, steel mills, and many others. Some applications include:

• general industrial equipment
• mining winches
• conveyor belts
• overhead cranes
• steel rolling systems
• wind turbines

Industrial Braking Systems for Your Operations

Designing equipment systems requires knowing how the braking system will impact mechanisms down the line. Relying on a company that not only supplies high-quality brakes but also provides servicing and parts allows you to come up with the best design approaches that better align with your operational needs. In addition, you can stay competitive in your industry if the components and systems can be upgraded to match the growth of your operations, as you will have efficient and scalable processes.

If you require brakes for your applications or wish to inquire about industrial brakes suitable to your industry, reach out to Kor-Pak.