The main factors to consider include more than simply the duty (whether the brake is being used for dynamic stopping, static holding or continuous tensioning), but also what sort of environment the brake will be located in; whether there are particular space constraints; the operating medium; and if access for periodic maintenance will be possible or not.
Through continued commitment to R&D, Twiflex offers one of the widest and most advanced range of heavy duty calliper brakes on the market. It's the flexibility of this range that makes it possible for Twiflex engineers to quickly determine a solution that is optimised for almost any application.
Founded in 1946, Twiflex has a rich history of innovation; it was the first to offer disc brake technology for general industrial applications. Its name is now synonymous with quality and reliability in industries as diverse as Mining, Marine & Offshore, upstream Oil & Gas, Metals Processing and Renewable Energy. The secret to its global success is the combination of a large range of standard designs which are subject to a process of continuous improvement, and engineered solutions tailored to meet specific application needs.
Tony George, Twiflex Product Manager, explains: "Despite having an extensive catalogue of standard parts we actually rarely provide 'off-the-shelf' solutions. Our engineers are experts when it comes to designing braking solutions for industry and more often than not we work with our customers to make sure the solution is optimised to their requirements. This maximises the life of the brake and enhances the efficiency of the whole system, which ultimately adds value for the customer.
"By continually developing our standard product range and updating it with the latest technologies, it's easier for our application engineers to identify a core product and enhance it to meet the performance expectations of the customer. This allows us to keep design and delivery lead times low and is also more cost effective."
As a technical partner to many of the world's leading industrial brands, Twiflex is well aware of the evolving needs within the market place. Its R&D department is continually working to meet these needs either through development of existing models, introducing brand new designs or succession planning for legacy products.
Any new product launched is the result of a formal development process, rooted in meeting the needs of either a single customer or a collective industry. As an example, the recently released VBS brake was developed to address the specific demands of conveyor drive applications. It offers all of the benefits of the large modular designs; a 2-million-cycle design life, easily replaced friction lining and the 'Parked-Off' maintenance feature, all in a compact, spring-applied unit.
Tony concludes: "We develop multiple new brake designs every year. Every single one of them is conceived from a specific demand. This may be a market wide demand or to satisfy a single customer's unique request. As our engineering knowledge grows, so too does our range. And as our range expands, so does our ability to rapidly engineer optimised solutions for each of our customers."