Brakes on heavy machinery are vital for safety, which is why SAM Technology Engineers focuses on providing tried and tested European products.
Conveyors and other large bulk handling equipment can be dangerous when up close, with multiple heavy moving parts capable of doing serious damage.
Maintenance of these machines must be done to keep everything running safely and efficiently. Holding brakes make sure that heavy machinery won’t budge when workers get up close and personal to inspect, repair or upgrade the equipment.
Rick Kelly, Sales Engineer at SAM Technology Engineers, says safety should be the number one concern, especially when it comes to brakes.
“I have seen brakes out there that were not right for the task, or that hadn’t been adjusted properly,” he says.
“Not all brakes are created equal, some might stop the conveyor but if there is weight on the belt with an incorrectly-sized or poorly-adjusted brake the load could run backwards until the brake takes hold.”
Kelly has more than 15 years of experience working at brakes for heavy industry, along with 20 years of experience around commercial vehicle brakes. As part of his role, he helps supply aluminium smelters, shipyards, mining equipment manufacturers and ports with suitable brakes.
Brake technology has advanced during this time, with more drive train motors including integrated brakes controlled by a variable speed drives. To ensure the safety of nearby workers and equipment, a secondary braking system is often used.
According to Kelly, thruster brakes and hydraulic spring brakes are an effective way of stopping conveyors, other heavy equipment such as a rail mounted stacker/reclaimer may also use rail brakes in addition to the wheel drive brakes.
“The main thing about them is they’re not an active brake. Active brakes engage like a car brake system, stopping depending on how much pressure your foot places on the pedal,” he says.
“Passive fail safe brakes operate with power going to them, holding it in a released position. When the power is cut or a signal is sent, the brake automatically acts to stop the machine. These are often also called holding brakes.”
Most of the company’s equipment comes from European suppliers and are modified to fit the Australian Standards. Because of this, there tends to be a high level of interchangeability allowed with the brakes, letting SAM Technology engineers find the right product for the situation.
SAM Technology Engineers also supply the thrusters – the electro-hydraulic equipment that releases the brake and holds it open. These can be fitted with a valve to bleed off pressure, allowing for a controlled application of the brake.
Kelly says often a controlled descent is more important for braking, which is why the thrusters have become so popular.
“With a bleed off valve included in a thruster, the brakes can be applied in a controlled manner, stopping any possibility of causing a shock load through the system.”
The brakes themselves have been designed for easy maintenance, as long as they have been sized and installed properly. To support its customers, SAM Technology Engineers operates a factory with machine shop that features mechanical and electrical fitters.
It also has an in-house engineering team with mechanical and electrical engineers on hand to offer custom designs for specific problems. As part of its offering, the company provides installation and after sales services, including a comprehensive program of design, manufacture, supply and installation.