Introduction of Clutches and Brakes

Keys to effective control and transmission of drive torque, speed, and power in many rotating drive systems are clutches and brakes. Their function is to either transfer torque from an input shaft to an output shaft (clutching) or to stop and hold a load (braking). Though offered as separate components, their functions are often combined into a single unit referred to as a clutch-brake. Clutches and brakes can be categorized by the technique used to engage or stop the load (friction, electromagnetic, mechanical lockup), and by the method used to actuate them (mechanical, electric, pneumatic, hydraulic, self-activating).