Intelligent safety for lift brakes

At the Interlift 2019 in Augsburg, mayr power transmission has presented an intelligent monitoring module for the future of brake monitoring with its Roba-brake-checker.

mayr power transmission will be offering a latest-generation monitoring solution with its intelligent module Roba -brake-checker. According to the company, the module was already the prevailing technology for mayr brakes today and has been tested on the market in many different branches. "And the developments for the noise-damped lift brakes also promise great success."

The launch is planned for 2020. At the Interlift 2019, the company therefore presents to the lift branch the new concept using which customers are able to generate a technical added value towards Industry 4.0.

Safety becomes visible

The Roba -brake-checker module is able to supply and monitor safety brakes. And it does so without the use of sensors. Instead, it detects the movement of the armature disk by analysing current and voltage, and knows what condition the brake is in.

In addition to the switching condition, temperature and wear, the Roba -brake-checker also monitors the pull-in distance or tensile force reserve, i.e. whether the magnet is still able to attract the armature disk.

With the new module, substantially more parameters are thus depicted than with microswitches and sensors. On reaching the tensile force reserve, the Roba -brake-checker emits a warning signal early enough so that a certain operating time for the brake is still possible.

Maintenance becomes plannable

In addition to the signal itself, the module also supplies for example through an optical interface, data on the switching time, the current, the voltage, the resistance, the power and the relative attraction current. The latter permits conclusions to be drawn regarding critical brake operating conditions.

Using an evaluation programme, the customer can see whether everything is running smoothly or whether there is work that needs to be done. For example, an air gap which has become too large is detected in good time. Safety becomes visible, so to speak. Maintenance becomes plannable – the system operator or manufacturer is able to undertake maintenance in a targeted manner, aligned to their working processes.

Furthermore, in case of problems, the error output also makes remote maintenance possible. In some countries, the regular maintenance procedures have to be carried out by Service personnel, and the results are documented manually. If such visits and service work are no longer necessary, customers are able to save a lot of money.

Proven release monitoring using the proximity switch

Proven state-of-the-art and well-established on the market today: The contactless release monitoring with inductive proximity switch. This integrated function monitoring prevents unpermitted operating conditions, such as for example the motor starting up against closed brakes.

The system registers the operating condition of the brake and authorises the motor to start up only after release. Due to the fact that no mechanical parts are used, the release monitoring with proximity switch is wear-free.

The service lifetime is independent of the switching frequency. Furthermore, the system is magnetic field-resistant and works absolutely reliably. It is also resistant to impacts and vibrations as there are no movable parts, and the electronics are completely encapsulated.

mayr.com