Twice as well positioned

Servo motors require the right brake technology. Kendrion has this in its extensive portfolio. The manufacturer of permanent magnet (PM) and spring-applied brakes offers its industrial customers tailor-made quality solutions that meet all the requirements of the respective application.

According to current studies by renowned market research institutes, the market for servo motors and drives will grow by almost 6 percent annually to around 20.5 billion US dollars by 2029. In addition to the automotive industry, the main drivers are increasing automation and the use of robotics in industry. In addition, pneumatic and hydraulic systems are increasingly being replaced by electromechanical solutions. 30 to 40 percent of the servo drives used are equipped with a brake.

"In this globally growing market, Kendrion is perfectly positioned both technologically and geographically," explains Waldemar Schaermann, Product Manager at Kendrion. "With locations in Europe, the USA, India and China, we are present wherever our brake technology is in demand. In addition, with our broad product portfolio, consisting of basic series of permanent magnet and spring-loaded brakes and more than 2000 active customer-specific brakes, we can always provide our customers in industry with an optimal braking solution - depending on the application."

Effective applications teams at the two German locations in Villingen and Aerzen advise on what the best solution is in detail. "We offer our customers not only products, but also tailor-made solutions that we work out together," says Waldemar Schaermann, describing the process. "We implement the customer-specific product properties in short development periods and guarantee that only products of the highest quality leave our factories through comprehensive and application-oriented tests in our in-house laboratory as well as tests during production."

High power density and precision

Servo motors are characterized by high power density, dynamics and precision - properties that the brake used must also have or support. "The high motor power in a small space and the frequently required 24/7 operation result in high operating temperatures," explains Waldemar Schaermann. "Brakes that are installed directly in the engine compartment must be able to withstand these temperatures safely over the entire service life of the application. This requires a high level of design and the use of high-quality materials."

The high demands on the compactness and positioning accuracy of the servo motors require brakes with the highest power density with minimal or no backlash. In addition to the high precision, durability and the reliable guarantee of the required safety standards are on the list of desired properties.

Power density vs. flexibility

The PM brake is the most power-dense brake on the market and the technology of choice wherever a very high torque is required in the smallest possible space. In addition, permanent magnet brakes open without residual torque, which enables wear- and dust-free operation, and are characterized by their freedom from backlash and corresponding precision. With the High Torque Line and the established PM Line, Kendrion provides its customers with a wide range of customizable PM brakes.

Spring-applied brakes are compact, easy to install and deliver high braking energy and wear resistance. The organic friction linings, which can be modified to suit the specific application, and the option of applying the brake to both the floating bearing and the fixed bearing side of the motor ensure a high degree of flexibility. Kendrion offers spring-applied brakes with its Servo Line and the particularly slim Servo Slim Line.

"Every application requires its own brake technology," summarizes Waldemar Schaermann. "We have both solutions in our portfolio and can advise our customers so that they can always find the optimal brake for their application with us."