Holding Brakes for Nema 42 Step Motors

Applied Motion Products is pleased to announce the release of holding brakes for select step motors in the nema 42 stepper motors for sale frame size. These step motors provide additional functionality for applications which require holding torque to be maintained when power is removed from the motor. Holding brakes offered by motion are spring-set type brakes that must be powered by 24 volts dc to release the brake mechanism. This is commonly referred to as “power off” and is the preferred style for motion control applications. Controlling the brake is handled by a discrete output on the stepper drive or another controller like a plc or motion controller. Many motion drives offer outputs specifically designed to control the holding brake, such that the brake will be automatically engaged whenever the motor is unpowered (and automatically disengaged when the motor is powered or moving). 

This initial offering of holding brakes for step motors is available as an option on the following most popular nema 42 frame step motors. A common application for holding stepping motor brake is one in which a belt drive linear actuator is mounted vertically. When power is removed from the motor the belt and load can drop, potentially causing harm to the machine and/or human operators. Holding brakes can help to alleviate this unsafe condition by automatically holding the motor and load in position even when all power has been removed from the motor. Additionally, a large majority of our drives have dedicated brake outputs that can be wired to a relay to control operation of the brake. Thinking about the mechanicals of this a little more, I've been considering servos and steppers. I don't need speed or precision, really.  But I do need to be able to move in either direction, which I now understand to be complicated with servos. 

Main Features:

• Part Number MPC042-24-CRI
• Operating Voltage: 24VDC
• Static Torque: .8Nm (7.00 In Lbs)
• Current Consuption: 0.27 A
• Moment of Inertia: 27.7 g.cm²
• Shaft input 8mm standard & ¼" (6.35mm) with optional adapter

This is an important feature so that the motor does not interfere with the proper operation of the spring applied brake causing premature brake failure or damage to the motor. Perfect for holding applications, these friction brakes can handle high torque with a compact size. The low voltage design will operate on applications susceptible to weak battery, brown out or long wiring runs. When the electric power is applied, the armature is pulled by the electromagnetic force in the magnet body assembly, which overcomes the spring action. This allows the friction disc to rotate freely. When electrical power is interrupted, the electromagnetic force is removed and the pressure spring mechanically forces the armature plate to clamp the friction disc between itself and the pressure plate. This develops torque to hold the load.