Brakes are our drive

A brake is the primary safety device in every drive system. Its task is it to stop the system’s rotational movement in a defined way. Most engineers in the field of drive technology are excellent specialists and able to design a drive system for its intended use. In the end, however, the know-how is often missing to bring a drive to a standstill in a defined and time-optimized way, say, in an emergency, or to keep it permanently and safely in a fixed position.

 

This is precisely, where our brake technology specialists go into action: They provide advice to customers when it comes to designing the optimal brake system for the drive train. However, more often than not, the issue is about a complete brake system, including brake disk, steel structure, control, energy generation as well as piping, and not only about the mere design of the brake.

 

The safety requirements concerning plants and machinery have been significantly tightened, especially since the introduction of the currently valid Machinery Directive in 2006 and of the Product Safety Act (ProdSG) in 2011.

 

As regards stopping machines, Article 1.2.4 of the Machinery Directive stipulates:

1.2.4.1. Normal stop: Machinery must be fitted with a control device whereby the machinery can be brought safely to a complete stop. Each workstation must be fitted with a control device to stop some or all of the functions of the machinery, depending on the existing hazards, so that the machinery is rendered safe. The machinery's stop control must have priority over the start controls. Once the machinery or its hazardous functions have stopped, the energy supply to the actuators concerned must be cut off.

1.2.4.2. Operational stop: Where, for operational reasons, a stop control that does not cut off the energy supply to the actuators is required, the stop condition must be monitored and maintained.

1.2.4.3 Emergency stop: Every machine must be fitted with one or more emergency stop devices to enable actual or impending danger to be averted.

 

These requirements actually mean in practice that no drive system must be put into operation without a brake system. On the other hand, we often hear from customers that they seek constructive solutions without brakes. However, any further, more in-depth talks reveal in most cases that brakes cannot be dispensed with for safety reasons. Unfortunately, customers often approach us only, after damage has already affected plants or machinery, so that a brake system needs to be retrofitted at a high expense. Hence, the question is not predominantly, whether a brake is required or not, but how to integrate the brake system into the drive train, so that it can absorb the forces during ongoing operations. In addition to that, it is, of course, of the essence how to accommodate the brake system in the drive train at optimal costs and with as little space as possible being required.

 

We have the optimal solution ready for your applications. Our engineers will prepare a customized design in line with your specific requirements, or they will advise you right from the project phase, so that the best possible brake or brake system can be found for you. The use of our products in the world’s largest skyscrapers, in conveying systems, in ships, cranes and many other applications is convincing proof enough that we are able to think in many directions.

 

Not only do we develop our brakes and appliances ourselves, as engineering partners for customers in all industries and countries we are also in a position to permanently optimize brake systems in line with the relevant market requirements. For us, flexibility, creativity and customer responsiveness are therefore not just hollow words, but a promise.

 

We do not brake you, but your drive system; big promise!