Brakes are the ‘smallest on the market’

Paul Boughton

Warner Electric has developed a range of spring-set holding brakes. Mathieu Ruault reports

There are some applications where every gram or cubic millimetre counts. In these situations OEMs and designers need to rely on high quality manufacturers who are able to deliver reliable and effective solutions.

When it comes to braking solutions, Warner Electric recognises that in many of these situations the only solutions available are expensive permanent magnet brakes. As a consequence, it has developed a range of spring-set holding brakes which are the smallest on the market and offer the same performance at a competitive cost.

Warner Electric, part of Altra Industrial Motion, has identified a growing market for small brake solutions for applications in industries such as aerospace and medical equipment. It has developed a range of electrically released, spring-set holding brakes which are designed to offer the same performance capabilities of similarly sizes permanent magnet solutions.

Christophe Cordier, Warner Electric Product Manager for X-Small Brakes, explains: “Having identified that our customers were experiencing a growing need for brake products that would fit within a limited footprint, we conducted market research into the existing solution. We found that while the permanent magnet solutions that were available were effective, they were also heavier and more expensive for end-users than the design that we were proposing. Having subjected our X-Small brake range to extensive testing prior to launch, we are able to confidently state that our products offer the same static torque capacity, are lighter than the competition and also more cost competitive.”

The X-Small brakes are designed primarily for engaged/disengaged holding applications – such as seat adjustment on an aeroplane – though they can provide a low cycle rate stopping action in emergency situations. As they are electrically released they will remain reliably engaged in the event of a power failure, which makes them suited to applications where the integrity of the holding force is imperative.

The range consists of 6 standard sizes which range from 22mm – 33.5mm diameter (30g – 100g) and offer up to 50Ncm of static torque. However, Warner Electric believes that every application should be approached with the intention of finding the most functional and efficient solution. Therefore it customises a bespoke adaptor flange for each customer to ensure perfect mounting every time.

Mathieu Ruault is with Warner Electric Europe SAS

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