• National Engineering Company (NENCO)

Innovative Brake System Increases Safety of Vertical Axes

mayr® power transmission offers the ROBA®-topstop, a modular construction brake type series with individual brakes and redundant dual-circuit brake modules for the prevention of any critical danger situations which can occur during vertical axes operation and which are defined in the DIN EN 954-1, Categories 1-3. The aspect of safety was not the only target criterion during development of the ROBA-topstop. The constructional conditions for drive elements in vertical axes were also considered carefully. Due to their adapted flange dimensions, ROBA-topstop brakes can be integrated problem-free into pre-existing constructions between the servomotor and the counter flange. The modular assembly is flexible enough to allow many different designs, for example with a shaft; with a hollow shaft; with a flexible coupling; with an additional safety clutch for torque limiting or with two individual brakes. Using the ROBA-topstop brake system with a hollow shaft and an integrated, insertable shaft coupling means that the separate compensation coupling and the coupling housing usually necessary are no longer needed. A drive line with this brake system is only minimally longer than the usual axis with servomotor and shaft coupling for connection to a spindle or to a gearbox shaft. ROBA-topstop designs with shafts are principally conceived for installation between the servomotor and the hollow shaft gearbox. As an independent module, the ROBA-topstop is capable of holding the vertical axis in any required position. Additional measures for axis support - for example during transport and machine maintenance - are unnecessary. This advantage means considerable savings in terms of cost and time; for example when replacing the drive motor, and reduces the downtimes during repairs. In addition to this, the device can guarantee the «safe brake» function, if the units are equipped with the correct functional and wear monitoring systems.