Warner Electric wrap spring clutches and brakes are a simple, low cost and easily adaptable answer to various stop-start applications.  Ideally suited to rotary indexing tables, their speed and accuracy offers both excellent repeatability (as there is no cumulative error) and minimum system inertia.

The torque generated by a wrap spring clutch arises from the cross-sectional strength of the spring and is independent of speed.  The greater the force of rotation, the more tightly the spring grips the hubs.

Wrap spring clutch/brakes also offer dramatic advantages in torque-to-size ratios when compared to many other torque control devices, such as hysteresis, magnetic particle and friction disc units.

While the starting time of a friction clutch is inertial and frictional load dependent, the wrap spring clutch is not.  The total time to speed will be constant, irrespective of load.

It is important to select the correct size for the job.  A wrap spring clutch engages almost instantly, and the higher the load, the tighter the spring wraps down.  It is not forgiving in the sense of a friction disc unit and it must be sized correctly for each application.

Geared motor manufacturers have a couple of options when it comes to supplying their product, based on different demands from customers.  In original equipment (OEM) applications, the preferred method is to supply gearboxes and electric motors fitted as one unit, in something called an Integrated Motor Drive (IMD).  The other option is to supply the gearbox with a flange that suits externally-fitted electric motors, in either IEC or NEMA sizing.  As usual, there are advantages (and drawbacks) from using either system.

Integrated Motor Drives have less parts and are usually shorter than IEC gearboxes, because the pinion gear fits directly to the motor shaft, rather than an input quill.  This immediately makes them more cost-focussed, and beneficial when a lot of units are to be installed on an application.

In the case of IEC gearboxes, one of the main benefits of using a gearbox that comes with an IEC motor flange for the input is that a range of specialist motors can be fitted more easily.  This primarily concerns applications in hazardous areas, where Ex’d, Ex’e, Ex’n and even DIP motors are to be used.  Many of these are available only from specialist motor manufacturers.

At All Torque, we have also found that speed changes are easier to effect on IEC gearboxes.  This is due both to the range of motors available with 2 pole and 6 pole speeds, and the occasional requirement to change pinions.

External power transmission options – such as in-line friction disc variators, hydraulic speed variators, electro-magnetic clutch/brakes and even ratio multipliers – all come fitted with IEC or NEMA flanges as standard.

As usual, the demands of each application are to be considered when making power transmission choices.

Rich Shaefer, Senior Product Manager for Adjustable Speed and Specialty Motors at Baldor, recently discussed the future of energy efficiency in electric motors and the role efficiency has to play in manufacturing.

With full acknowledgement to Baldor, we have included a link to the article, where Rich looks at some of the materials and technologies that could drive the next generation of efficiencies.

You can access the article by clicking here…190813 EYB 2013 TechView Baldor

All Torque Transmissions markets the full range of Baldor stainless steel equipment, but there is more to the Baldor range than just the casing.

All Baldor stainless steel AC motors meet MEPS standards, with exterior motor surfaces, shaft and hardware made out of 300 series stainless steel.  They can easily withstand cleaning using caustic materials at pressures up to 103bar (1500PSI).

With an epoxy coated rotor, labyrinth seals on all through shafts and a patented external shaft slinger and seal, Baldor goes one step further with its stainless steel motor range.

Both NEMA and IEC fitments are available, with the NEMA 56C being in TENV with its inherent heat dissipation benefits.

The repair of industrial gearboxes is a specialised field, especially in Australia, with a multitude of brands, various fitments and countless configurations.

Machinery that comes in from overseas contributes to the dilemma, as in many cases there is no local distributor for the power transmission spares that will inevitably be required.

All Torque Transmissions has the skilled workshop staff to handle all brands of repairs, with dedicated facilities at both our Braeside and Preston offices.

One major advantage All Torque has is our machine shop, which boasts a full range of tooling to do all of our own machining.  This has been especially useful when production breakdown demands preclude sourcing gearboxes from interstate, when there is no local stock coverage.  We have been able to make modifications to output shafts, flanges, feet and even input bores and flanges to have production back online as quickly as possible.

Further speeding up the repair process is our complete motor range.  We keep all sizes of three phase electric motor in stock (2P, 4P, 6P) in all mounting types, which means there is no delay if the motor is ‘beyond it’.  If there is a specialist motor that is in need of a rewind, we deal with local rewinders who understand the demands of keeping production lines running – and have turnaround times to match.

All of the ancillaries to keep repair times to a minimum are also held in stock.  Primarily, this means bearings, circlips, seals and oil (synthetic and mineral), although our parts washer is surprisingly one of our most valued assets.

All Torque Transmissions is ready for the NEXT breakdown repair…