If your application requires an industrial clutch, choose the right product. This key component is available in a variety of styles and designs, most of which fit traditional applications easily. Consider the following factors.

How to Select an Industrial Clutch

1. Torque Rating

The clutch disengages at a specific torque level. This depends on a number of factors, including the industry. For example, if you’re recycling cans or processing boxes, the torque setting should minimize the potential for damage to these products during material handling and conveying. If there’s an element in your industrial equipment that is prone to breakage, set the torque below that level to ensure there’s no damage. Once you determine the desired torque level, you can find the most suitable clutch for the project.

2. Reset Style

How you use the industrial clutch plays a role in narrowing down the choices. If there’s an operator in charge of the function, you need a manual clutch that requires hands-on resetting. If the operation runs without interference, select a clutch that automatically resets.

3. Other Details

Once you’ve determined these two crucial factors, focus on different elements of the clutch. For example, your project may require a level of rust resistance, in which case a stainless or nickel-plated product may be smartest for your needs. If you’re concerned with energy efficiency, a self-actuating model would be ideal. Some have limited speeds, too, so consider this before you commit to a specific model.

Offering over 40 years of experience in the power transmission products field, Industrial Component Sales, Inc., is the leading provider of Carlyle Johnson Machine industrial clutches and brakes in Hudson, WI, with offices in Bemidji, MN; Delavan, WI; and Lincoln, NE. Since 2000, they have supplied companies throughout the region with quality products for material handling and conveying, including roller chains, sprockets, shivs, and rod ends. Visit them online to learn more, or give them a call at (651) 270-0151.