Brake Monitors
The manufacturing, construction, medical, food and beverage, automotive, aerospace, aircraft and electronics industries all use machinery that require brake monitors. A brake is used to stop and hold a crankshaft on a mechanical press when the clutch is disengaged. If it fails, workers are put in danger and the machine could break down. This invisible
machine guard, much like the
safety light curtains that shut down a machine if its infrared lights are crossed, is very important. Because of these sorts of guards, worker injuries decrease, which is good for the company as well as the well-being of the workers. Brake monitors are encoder driven microprocessors contained in a metal enclosure. They display measurements and warnings through digital readouts or an LED indicator. They are able to switch back and fourth from a monitor to a measurement device with the turn of a key or a key code. These electrically powered devices provide warnings and alert workers of brake failure by using lights and noise alarms. They are only operated by an authorized user and must be routinely
OSHA inspected and approved.
Brake monitors provide continuous monitoring when the machinery is in operation. They measure 0-99 RPM and stop time every time the brake is applied. Set points for warning and failure are built in and customizable if necessary. The press stopping time must be measured at 90 past top dead center in order to operate safely. They are composed of a control unit and motion detector, which are connected by a cable. They are also connected to the machinery's emergency stop circuit. When the brake's stop time slows and is no longer safe, it sends a warning to the user. If that warning is ignored, a stop signal is sent to the ESC, which instantly shuts down the entire system. Besides stopping time, these devices also measure brake water flow and temperature. They don't negatively affect brake performance, and are installed into the machinery by a plant electrician. All brake monitors must meet OSHA 1910.217 and ANSI B11.1-1998 standards to ensure worker safety.
