Torque Talk

Wichita Clutch – Introducing AquaMaKKs Water Cooled Brakes

July 11th, 2010

Wichita clutch Press Release detailing release of the new Water Cooled AquaMaKKs Brakes:

New AquaMakks Water Cooled Brake

Wichita AquaMakks Water Cooled Brake

Wichita Clutch Press Relase – AquaMaKKs.

Water-Cooled Clutches and Brakes | Machine Design

July 11th, 2010

Machine Design Article detailing Wichita Clutch AquaMaKKs water cooled brakes:

New AquaMakks Water Cooled Brake

Wichita AquaMakks Water Cooled Brake

Water-Cooled Clutches and Brakes | Machine Design.

Low-inertia disc clutch | Machine Design

July 11th, 2010

Machine Design Article detailing Wichita Clutch Low-Inertia (LI) Clutches

Wichita Clutch - Low Inertia clutch

Wichita Clutch - Low Inertia (LI)

Low-inertia disc clutch | Machine Design.

Beefy Clutches, Brakes Go Svelte Thanks to Composite Water Jacket | Machine Design

July 11th, 2010

Machine Design Article detailing Wichita Clutch new Composite Water Jackets used for AquaMaKKs and Kopper Kool Brakes.

KKB

Compsite Water Jacket for New Wichita AquaMakks

New AquaMakks Water Cooled Brake

Wichita AquaMakks Water Cooled Brake

Beefy Clutches, Brakes Go Svelte Thanks to Composite Water Jacket | Machine Design.

Wide Tension Range – Multi-Actuator Brakes

May 11th, 2010

Precise unwind tension control sometimes requires brakes with a wide torque range to meet the wide range of materials (tensions) and widths run on a line.  This is further complicated by the larger rolls (coils) to be unwound (uncoiled).  To put this in perspective, a roll with 72″ OD and 6″ core will require a 12:1 decrease in air pressure from start to core.  If you start at 60 PSI, you would finish the roll at 5 PSI, this leaves little adjustment for a wide tension range for lighter/heavier materials and wider/narrower widths.

Wichita KKB brake designs  are very proportional from8 PSI to 80 PSI or a 10:1 ratio, the high performance ModEvo design is good to 3/4 PSI for a 20:1 ratio.  To accommodate the demands of modern equipment, Wichita has many creative designs available to increase the range of control of unwind brakes by using multiple actuators.

Below is a photo of a special “Tandem” Wichita ATD 208/214 KKB (Kopper Kool Brake) used on Pro Eco slitting lines with the Core-Flex unit for exit tension/elongation control.  These lines require precise uncoiling tension control for a wide range of widths and gauges of material, using a “Tandem” Wichita KKB allows precise control over a 53:1 range.  Using the Kopper Kool design with proper water cooling system allows for high speed operation up to 140 HP.  In addition to the ATD 208/214 Tandem KKB, Wichita offers other size combination’s with even higher capacity with precise control.

Dual Wichita Kopper Kool Brake

Tandem Wichita KKB

For Paper, Film and Foil processing, Wichita Clutch offers the ModEvo modular Tension Brake.  This family of products allows Torque Inc. application engineers to select an optimal solution for your application with a variety of rotor’s, friction material and actuators.  We have had good success using these products on low speed coil processing lines, where heat is limited and the cost of operating a KKB (Kopper Kool Brake) is prohibitive.  In addition, we can engineer unique multiple caliper solutions using Kobelt Calipers for heavy duty applications.

Wichita ModEvo

Wichita ModEvo Tension Control Brake

Torque Tips – Upgrade to new Wichita or Industrial Clutch

April 21st, 2010

TORQUE TIPS – CLUTCH/BRAKE UPGRADING

Wichita Combination Clutch Brake with Ringfeder

Retrofit of Wichita CCB with a Shrink Disk mounting.

REASON TO UPGRADE

* SERVICEABILITY:

Obsolete Clutch/Brake

Costly Parts

Parts Unavailable

Difficult to Service Clutch/Brake

Clutch/Brake Requires Frequent Maintenance

* FASTER STOP TIME:

Shorter Safety Distance

Better Fault Protection

* CHANGES IN OPERATION:

Increased Tonnage

Increased Single Stroke Operation

Increased Continuous SPM Operation

For whatever issue your current Clutch/Brake limits your production, your Torque Inc. Application Engineer has the application knowledge and experience to assess and recommend the best solution to your needs.  Torque Inc. Application Engineers have a broad range of Clutches, Brakes and Combination CCB’s to select the optimum solution for your machine.  These include:

* Wichita Clutch  -  Air Clutches, Spring Set Brakes and Combination Clutch/Brakes

* Industrial Clutch – Air Clutches, Spring Set Brakes and Hydraulic Combination Clutch/Brakes

* Herion – Hydraulic Combination Clutch/Brakes

* Kobelt – Caliper Disk Brakes

* Mach III – Small Air Clutches, Brakes and Torque Limiters

ABOUT TORQUE INC:
Torque Inc. has represented Wichita Clutch for 60 years and continues to provide Heavy Duty Clutches/Brakes to the Metal Forming, Coil Processing, Converting, Printing, Marine, Mining and other heavy industries. Our staff of expert application engineers and professional customer service representatives is available to support you with:

  • Technical Support
  • New Application Engineering
  • Retrofit Engineering
  • Genuine Parts from our Extensive Inventory
  • Clutch/Brake Rebuild Service
  • New Units from our Extensive Inventory

Torque Tips – Genuine Parts

April 21st, 2010

TORQUE TIPS – GENUINE PARTS

Genuine Wichita Parts

Demand Genuine Wichita Clutch Parts

DON’T GET FOOLED BY IMITATIONS

Don’t be misled by companies selling imitation parts for your Wichita and Industrial Clutches and Brakes. Genuine Wichita/Industrial parts are engineered and manufactured using best practices to provide correct form, fit and function in your Wichita/Industrial units. Using only Genuine Wichita/Industrial parts in your clutches and brakes, ensures safe and reliable operation of your critical equipment.

Torque Inc. has been supplying Genuine Wichita/Industrial Parts for 60 years. We maintain an extensive inventory of Genuine Parts to provide:

* Competitive Pricing

* Short Lead-Time (many Genuine Wichita/Industrial items from stock)

From your clutch or brakes Serial Number, Torque Inc. expert customer service representatives have the tools to quickly and accurately identify the exact parts you require. Torque Inc., can quickly email you detailed drawings, parts lists and quotes in .pdf format. Use the links on this page or call the PARTS HOTLINE 800-771-5921, to get started.

Having operation/maintenance issues with your clutches and brakes? Torque Inc. application engineers are available at your plant for assistance. Invite your local Torque Inc. application engineer to help identify your exact units or troubleshoot your clutches and brakes. Torque Inc. application engineers are highly trained and experienced in solving your problems.

ABOUT TORQUE INC:

Torque Inc. has represented Wichita Clutch for 60 years and continues to provide Heavy Duty Clutches/Brakes to the Metal Forming, Coil Processing, Converting, Printing, Marine, Mining and other heavy industries. Our staff of expert application engineers and professional customer service representatives is available to support you with:

  • Technical Support
  • New Application Engineering
  • Retrofit Engineering
  • Genuine Parts from our Extensive Inventory
  • Clutch/Brake Rebuild Service
  • New Units from our Extensive Inventory

Torque Tips – Air System

April 21st, 2010


TORQUE TIPS – AIR SYSTEM

AIR SYSTEM TROUBLE SHOOTING

Most Air Clutch/Brake operating problems are caused by the air system. Torque Inc. finds the majority of issues with our customers air Clutches/Brakes are air system related. Application problems:

* Inconsistent starting/stopping

* Brake heating

* Clutch slipping

* Rapid wearing of friction material

Reliable air Clutch/Brake operation requires a properly designed and maintained air system:

* Sufficient air volume supply

* Correct operating pressure

* Properly sized air lines

* Valve selection

* Reliable control response/timing

Call a Torque Inc. application engineer to assist your inspect your air system. Torque Inc. has the experience and expertise to ensure optimum operation of your Clutches and Brakes. In addition to general air system consultation, Torque Inc. offers a charged “Overlap Service” to monitor your air system in real-time with our high speed data acquisition system. The data acquired through our “Overlap Service” can optimize control settings and identify operational issues with your air system.

Torque Inc. recommended air system designs are available on the links below:

ABOUT TORQUE INC:

Torque Inc. has represented Wichita Clutch for 60 years and continues to provide Heavy Duty Clutches/Brakes to the Metal Forming, Coil Processing, Converting, Printing, Marine, Mining and other heavy industries. Our staff of expert application engineers and professional customer service representatives is available to support you with:

  • Technical Support
  • New Application Engineering
  • Retrofit Engineering
  • Genuine Parts from our Extensive Inventory
  • Clutch/Brake Rebuild Service
  • New Units from our Extensive Inventory

Torque Tips – Wichita/Industrial Clutch and Brake Alignment

April 21st, 2010

TORQUE TIPS – ALIGNMENT

ALIGNMENT TROUBLE SHOOTING

Reliable air Clutch/Brake operation requires proper alignment. Proper installation needs to ensure both Parallel (concentricity) and Angular Alignment of the Clutch/Brake Ring (Housing) to the shaft.

* Brakes are more sensitive to Angular Misalignment

* Clutches are more sensitive to Parallel Misalignment

Call a Torque Inc. application engineer to assist your inspect your Clutch/Brake Alignment. Torque Inc. has the experience and expertise to ensure optimum operation of your Clutches and Brakes.

Checking the alignment of a Clutch/Brake requires the use of a Dial Indicator and Magnetic Base. In addition, the ability to rotate the shaft while Ring/Housing is held in place is required.

* Mount base to hub or shaft, Indicator Tip machined face (OD of friction area on Back Plate or face of Ring). While rotating shaft note the TIR (Total Indicator Reading) for full 360 degree sweep.

* Mount base to hub or shaft, Indicator Tip machined face (ID of Ring). While rotating shaft note the TIR (Total Indicator Reading) for full 360 degree sweep.

Below is a link to the Wichita Alignment Instructions, for details:

Low Inertia Clutch/Brake Alingment Procedure

ABOUT TORQUE INC:

Torque Inc. has represented Wichita Clutch for 60 years and continues to provide Heavy Duty Clutches/Brakes to the Metal Forming, Coil Processing, Converting, Printing, Marine, Mining and other heavy industries. Our staff of expert application engineers and professional customer service representatives is available to support you with:

  • Technical Support
  • New Application Engineering
  • Retrofit Engineering
  • Genuine Parts from our Extensive Inventory
  • Clutch/Brake Rebuild Service
  • New Units from our Extensive Inventory

Torque Tips – Electronic Drawings

April 21st, 2010

TORQUE TIPS – ELECTRONIC DRAWINGS

Torque Inc. maintains an extensive electronic library in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. Items in the library include drawings, parts lists, catalogs and manuals, for our products we represent:

* Wichita Clutch

* Industrial Clutch

* Kobelt

* Mach III Clutch

* Herion

* Carlson

* Goizper

In addition to the product lines we represent:, we have extensive details of many other designs, including obsolete OEM units.

If you need technical information, contact your Torque Inc. Sales Engineer (or call Parts Hot Line) with the Serial Number of your unit and he will forward the specific item you require.

Having operation/maintenance issues with your clutches and brakes? Torque Inc. application engineers are available at your plant for assistance. Invite your local Torque Inc. application engineer to help identify your exact units or troubleshoot your clutches and brakes. Torque Inc. application engineers are highly trained and experienced in solving your problems.

ABOUT TORQUE INC:

Torque Inc. has represented Wichita Clutch for 60 years and continues to provide Heavy Duty Clutches/Brakes to the Metal Forming, Coil Processing, Converting, Printing, Marine, Mining and other heavy industries. Our staff of expert application engineers and professional customer service representatives is available to support you with:

  • Technical Support
  • New Application Engineering
  • Retrofit Engineering
  • Genuine Parts from our Extensive Inventory
  • Clutch/Brake Rebuild Service
  • New Units from our Extensive Inventory