Airflex constricting clutches and brakes are the go-to solutions for heavy duty applications. Available in four different series spanning a range of sizes and features, you’ll find the perfect fit for grinding mills, marine propulsion, drill rigs, and much more.
Long life - Rugged tire-like constricting tube
Even wear - Force applied uniformly at optimum radius
Many options - Wide torque capacity range
Four models excel at starting and stopping heavy-duty equipment in harsh conditions
VC – Handles large inertia loads and sustained slippage on heavy-duty applications
CB – The original and still a perfect fit for high-speed cyclic operations, coupling and general power transmission
HEVC – Increased energy capacity allows for longer slip times in severe clutching and braking applications
CM – specifically engineered for the marine industry on diesel-driven, reverse-reduction gears
How constricting elements work
Airflex constricting drum clutch and brake elements use a rugged, tire-like neoprene and cord tube that expands radially inward when pressurized. The expansion forces the friction surface against a cylindrical drum to create torque.
Force applied at maximum radius from axis
Instead of the reduced radius that occurs in plate clutches, constricting drum clutches concentrate the frictional force on the outside drum diameter to achieve maximum torque. The drum radius acts as the torque lever arm to generate and apply force uniformly around the drum circumference.
Features and benefits
In Airflex constricting drum clutches and brakes, friction shoe contact occurs across the cylindrical surface of the drum where the contact velocity is constant.