Servo motor brakes work in the tightest of spaces

The most common and cost effective brake for the majority of servo motor applications is the spring-applied design. These brakes operate by applying the force of a spring to a friction plate mounted on the motor shaft. In operation, a DC voltage applied to a coil disengages the brake. If the voltage is removed, the brake activates. The Matrix 1EB Series is an example of this brake type. Over the past three decades, the company has produced more than 700 different variants of the design.

Matrix International, part of Altra Industrial Motion, supplies the leading servomotor manufacturers in Europe and America. An experienced design and development team are continuously developing the 1EB product range and evaluating new and alternative materials. Design engineers use a finite element analysis package to optimise the magnetic path within the brakes, to maximise torque and minimise power consumption while keeping costs to a minimum. 

With such a wide range of applications, servomotors and their associated brakes are used by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) throughout the world. Meeting the demands of these varied applications requires flexible design and the expertise to meet all challenges as they’re presented. Providing up to 500Nm of braking torque from a compact housing without creating excessive heat build-up is a considerable achievement accomplished by the 1EB Series of servomotor brakes.

At the same time as meeting the design criteria, it is important to achieve a cost effective solution that will be attractive to the very cost conscious servomotor market. To this end, Matrix has implemented a lean manufacturing process and supply chain procedures which have significantly reduced costs as well as lead times, especially on custom products.

However, the ability to adapt such a versatile design also needs to be matched by the support for these products, which is provided by the extensive international sales, logistics and service capabilities of the broader Altra group.