Torque Inc.

Mach III Releases EBook ” Make it Last”

willard.donoho — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:38:06 +0000

Determining how long a friction clutch or brake will last has much to do with application. Cycle rates, revolutions per minute and the air pressure required to produce the torque to drive or stop the load are just a few of the considerations. Assuming the unit has been properly sized and the application is not unusually rigorous, the majority of friction brakes and clutches will measure their service life in years as long as the manufacturer’s instructions for installation, operation and routine maintenance are followed. Mach III has compiled its recommendations for users who want to do all they can to ensure that the clutches and brakes installed on their machinery last as long as possible. Topics covered in the eBook, Make It Last, include:

Proper Selection
Regulating
Proper Mounting
Chain & Belt Alignment & Tension
Environmental Considerations
Routine Maintenance

Click on: “MachIII_Ebook003 – Make it Last” to down load this helpful guide.

Wichita Clutch introduces expansion of Composite Water Jackets to include WCB style brakes.

willard.donoho — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 18:58:28 +0000

Industrial Clutch LK Inspection Checklist

willard.donoho — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:31:37 +0000

To assist customers inspect and assess the condition of Industrial Clutch “LK” clutches, Torque Inc has developed the “LK-Inspection-Checklist“. Click on the link to access this helpful aid to ensure all critical parts are inspected during clutch maintenance or repair.

If you have additional questions, contact your local Sales Engineer of our Parts Hot line 800-771-5921. WE are happy to be of service.

Press Clutch/Brake Hub Mounting Options

willard.donoho — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 23:25:56 +0000

There are many methods to mount a Clutch/Brake hub to the shaft of a Stamping Press or other heavy machinery. Torque Inc will help you pick the best type of connection for your application. The following is a summary of the benefits and limitations of the various methods:

Key with clearance

Using a clearance fit between the hub and the shaft while and hand fitting the key (or two keys) is the most common method. Clearance of a couple of thousandths of an inch with line/line for the keyway is typical. This connection will likely gradually get loose at some point in time, is likely the most common type used on a press.

Key with interference

Adding a slight interference with a hand fit key is a more permanent solution, albeit requiring a modest heating of the hub (to about 250- 300 degrees F through via oil bath, oven or induction heater). Typical fit of line/line to .001”/.002” for shaft size of 6”.

Key with heavier interference

Increasing shrink to .0005” per inch of diameter (ie. .003” interference for 6” bore ) is achievable with a 300-400 degree heat and dry ice of the shaft. This fit is recommended for high shock load/high reversing loads like shears and high stripping force dies, cold forging etc. Care must be taken not to end up with too tight a fit over a key, in that this can cause the hub to split through the keyway. Heavy interference fits are difficult to remove without damaging the shaft/bore interface.

Heavy Interference without key

Using a .001” per inch of shaft diameter interference (ie. .006”-.009” shrink for a 6” shaft) , or more, can often times gain enough torque to drive without a key or supplemental locking device. However, we do not recommend retrofitting using this method due to the following problems, indluding but not limited to:

1. Precise material specifications are required,

2. Precise machining is required,

3. Installation is tricky

4. Removal does damage to the shaft and hub bore.

The best system is a Engineered Locking Element without a key

Using an engineered locking device such as a Ringfeder, Climax or Bloc creates the advantages of heavy inference shrink fit connection (ie. No backlash ever, removability, ease of assembly and strongest possible shaft and hub design due to no stress risers from keys) without the disadvantages. Some applications are hard to retrofit due to space and material issues. These devices require proper dimensions and installation procedures and torque instruction be followed in order to function properly. However the devices have a 100% success rate when properly engineered and installed (in fact they frequently can carry more torque than the shaft itself can!) .

There are two primary types of keyless locking devices.

Wichita Clutch CCB with Shrink Disc mounted hub

The “shrink disc” goes outside of a hub extension and squeezes the hub to the shaft. Advantages are a infinite choice of shaft sizes (ie. Can match any existing shaft assuming it is round and finished properly) and has a relatively high torque rating. Material can be cast iron or steel

Industrial Clutch Hub mounted to shaft with internal locking element.

The internal “locking assembly “ is sometimes easier to fit in (goes inside existing hub) but can only fit a finite number of standard shaft sizes and requires an adequate OD to provide enough strength the keep hub from cracking. Material required to be steel or steel sleeved cast iron.

Proper selection of either version of an engineered locking element requires the qualified engineering assistance that Torque Inc. can provide to insure a successful installation.
Often the cost of the device is offset by the reduction in labor/machining cost associated with putting a connection together!

Wichita ATD 218 LIHTC on conveyor drive, used as Torque Limiter

willard.donoho — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 17:45:23 +0000

Wichita Clutch 224 LIHTC

Alternate view of Wichita Clutch 224 LIHTC installation

Torque Inc Application Engineer Steve Park selected a Wichita Clutch ATD 224 LIHTC (Low Inertia High Torque Clutch) for a custom designed conveyor drive system to provide protection for the drive train elements by functioning as a Torque Limiter. By regulating the air pressure applied to the Wichita Clutch, the end user can accurately adjust the clutch slip torque to a level to allow reliable machine operation under normal conditions and protect the drive train from overload by slipping the clutch,

Assembling a Wichita Clutch, Low Inertia Clutch

willard.donoho — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:55:22 +0000

A short video showing the process to assemble a Wichita Clutch, LI (low inertia) Clutch.

Disassembling a Wichita Clutch, Low Inertia Clutch

willard.donoho — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 01:47:32 +0000

A short video showing the process to disassemble a Wichita Clutch, LI (low inertia) Clutch

Wichita Clutch STVC (standard vent clutch) rebuild guide.

willard.donoho — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 13:13:03 +0000

Here is a helpful sheet to show the items to inspect/replace when rebuilding a Wichita STVC Clutch:

stvc-replacement-guide, Torque-Inc

Any questions, contact your local Sales Engineer. We are happy to be of service.

Rebuiilding a LI (Low Inertia) Wichita Clutch

willard.donoho — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 13:09:08 +0000

Here is a helpful sheet to show the items to inspect/replace when rebuilding a Wichita LI Clutch:

LIC-replacement-guide, Torque-Inc

Any questions, contact your local Sales Engineer. We are happy to be of service.

What Wichita Clutch employees do for fun.

willard.donoho — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:33:09 +0000

Wichita Team in 2011 Hotter'N Hell 100

Team Wichita Clutch for 2011 Hotter’N Hell 100. Details Hotter’N Hell 100, Temps reached 109 degrees during this years ride. Way to go guys.