Parking brakes for gold mine hoist offers rapid stopping speeds

The Twiflex VCSD-VR is a spring-applied, hydraulically-released disc brake which has been designed for use in harsh environments, while providing superior performance in heavy duty dynamic and emergency stopping applications.

According to Steve Powell, Product Manager for Twiflex, when selecting brakes for mine hoists, it is important to consider factors such as the depth of the shaft, stopping profile, drum design and payload in order to calculate the braking torque required for each application.

For mine hoists, Twiflex typically aim to provide a braking solution which offers over 2 million braking cycles to meet exacting industry requirements. Twiflex’s VMS brake range for hoists produces up to 460 kN braking force at a nominal 0.4 coefficient of friction and 2 mm air gap (distance between pad and disc face).

In the Elko Gold Mine application, the braking speed is low at 500 rpm, but the stopping time required is between 3 and 5 seconds, meaning that the peak disc temperature and power dissipation during the stop are high.

“Our selection is based on providing enough braking torque to deal with the static out-of-balance load, in addition to considering the dynamic stopping duty,” explains Steve. “Modern control systems offer lower hoisting cycle times and high production levels, all of which affect the brake selection.”

The VCSD-VR brakes are installed on a motor pinion, operating on a 1.168 metre diameter disc to produce a total torque of 128 kNm

The VCSD-VR is a large pad (28,990 mm2 each pad) version of the popular Twiflex VCSD (15,700 mm2 each pad); both brakes producing a braking force between 11kN and 60kN. Due to its increased braking path, the large pad version enables higher rubbing speeds and greater thermal capacity (the ability to absorb and dissipate heat) to be achieved.

In addition to testing the braking torque at the start of each shift, hoist operators carry out visual checks of the calipers and condition of the disc surface. To assist with maintenance, Twiflex brakes incorporate a monitoring system to signal brake-pad wear and loss of braking force.

Twiflex is continually investigating new materials to meet the demands of the mining market and has invested in modern test equipment at its UK plant in Bedford. The company can provide full testing capability including a climatic chamber (-75°C to +180°C), a fatigue room for brake cycling and a fully automated 40 kW stop / start inertia rig for dynamic stopping.

“All Twiflex modular brakes are subject to a cycling test and pressure test before leaving the factory,” explains Steve. “For mine hoists, all critical brake components undergo non-destructive testing. The main limitation for brake manufacturers is the friction material and the brake pad swept area, which needs to be carefully selected for the operating cycle.”

A unique Twiflex feature, which helps to reduce maintenance costs and contributes to risk mitigation on-site, is the “Parked Off” design which is included on all Twiflex modular brakes. Unlike conventional mechanical lock-out systems where a nut and centre bolt arrangement is used to hold the spring force and prevent the brake from closing during maintenance, the “Parked Off” feature actively removes the spring force, meaning when hydraulic pressure is removed there is no force acting on the pad and therefore no possibility of an unexpected closure.

Steve concludes, “The overall performance of the VCSD-VR lends itself to the application at Elko Gold Mine and we were able to engineer a solution which met all of the requirements while also delivering additional performance advantages such as faster installation and reduced maintenance costs.”

A larger VMS brake on a double drum winder in a gold mine

About Twiflex Ltd.
Twiflex Limited, with headquarters in Twickenham, England, specialises in the design, manufacture and supply of Advanced Braking Technology for industrial applications. With extensive in-house facilities, Twiflex enjoys a global reputation for quality.

Founded in 1946, Twiflex has produced more than half a million brake units, frequently for safety critical duty, for applications around the world. From textile machines in the north of England to the world’s deepest mine shaft in South Africa, Twiflex brakes are specified by engineers and system designers in every type of industry.