07
Aug
Electromagnetic clutches seem to be simple pieces of machinery, but the truth is, they are complex-structured components that fit multiple applications, ranging from conveyor drives and copy machines to printing machinery, food processing machinery, packaging machinery and factory automation.
In fact, the electromagnetic clutch is an electrically operated disk that transmits the torque mechanically. Hence, the reason why it is often referred to as ‘electro-mechanical’ clutch. Electromagnetic clutches started to gain popularity 60 years ago, which resulted in advanced clutch designs and application uses, while still preserving the basic operation.
What is really interesting today is that people use electromagnetic clutches (EM) every day without even being aware of it. For example, anyone who is operating with a lawn tractor, car air conditioner or a copy machine is actually using an electromagnetic clutch along with a brake as well. EM clutches and brakes are available in various forms, such as: magnetic particle, tooth, hysteresis and multiple disc. However, the most commonly used model of EM clutch is the single-face design.
EM Components
All models of electromagnetic clutches and brakes share the same structural elements:
The field or coil shell is usually made out of carbon steel, a feature that plays a highly important role in combining strength and magnetic properties together. There are also cases when the properties of coil can be equivalently replaced with aluminum as well. By activating the unit’s electric circuit, coil gets energized. Thus, the current running through the coil generates a magnetic field. Once the magnetic attraction starts to pull the armature, it connects with the hub and gets in a direct contact with the rotor.
Friction and magnetic forces begin to accelerate both hub and armature in order to match the rotor speed. The rotor speed matching is frequently referred to as ‘100% lockup’. Almost all industrial applications feature single-flux, twopole electromagnetic clutches. They create a flux path between the armature and the rotor. For both EM clutches and brakes, once the power is turned off, the coil starts to disengage the unit. The flux falls quickly, thus separating the armature. Hence, one or multiple springs start pushing the armature away from the contact surface, while maintaining the predetermined air gap.
Today’s market features a vast number of online shops and suppliers that offer a full range of cutting-edge electromagnetic clutches and brakes for different industrial applications. Choose a reputable buying source that will guarantee 100% quality and superior performance.
