The Insurance of Vertical Axes: Servo Brakes
Vertical axes (Z-axis) or robot joints have an electromagnetic brake to prevent falling when power is cut. When 24V DC is applied, the coil retracts the pad, freeing the motor. When cut, springs clamp the pad, locking the motor.
Why Does the Brake Lock or Fail to Open?
- Coil Burnout: Voltage fluctuations or mechanical binding causes the coil to burn. Even with voltage, no magnetic field is created, and the brake stays locked.
- Pad Wear: Friction thins the brake pad over time. The mechanical air-gap increases, and the magnetic field can't pull the pad. The motor forces itself against the brake and overheats.
- Oil Contamination: Oil leaking from the gearbox onto the brake pad destroys holding torque, causing the axis to drop.
Our Brake Repair Services
In our lab, we rewind burnt coils, grind worn disc surfaces, set the air-gap with a micrometer, and perform torque tests on your servo brakes.