Mach III Adds to SensiFlex Line

Mach III Clutch, Inc. announces that nineteen new models have been added to their patented SensiFlex line of tension control clutches and brakes. These models include the new Mach III ULOW (ultra-low coefficient) friction facings and have 45 percent lower maximum torque capacities than their identically sized SensiFlex counterparts with LOCO friction facings. Lower torque capacity means that the span of air pressure traversed to deliver the torque required at core up to the torque required at full roll (and vice versa) is expanded, allowing more precise web tension control. This is an advantage for label printing and other narrow web converting applications where web tensions are low and the range of torque required to complete the process is narrow. SensiFlex clutches and brakes are single surface, air actuated friction devices which maintain tension on a roll of material such as paper, film, foil or wire as it is being unwound or rewound. Both are driven at a constant speed by the primary drive of the machine. When engaged, the brake holds back the unwind shaft, the clutch drives the rewind shaft. Torque output, measured in pound inches, is linear to air pressure (PSI) applied. As the material being processed depletes (unwind) or builds (rewind) the rotations per minute of the roll increase or decrease in proportion to roll diameter. At the same time, the torque required to maintain constant tension decreases (unwind) or increases (rewind) with roll diameter. The clutch or brake must slip constantly to compensate for the continually changing difference in input and output rpm while at the same time increasing or decreasing torque output as required.