These brakes leverage Force Control’s proven Oil Shear Technology to deliver precise stopping and repeatable positioning in demanding high-cycling or reversing applications. Because wear is virtually eliminated, MAGNASHEAR® brakes require no adjustments and only an annual fluid change—offering a truly maintenance-free solution for mission-critical uptime.

Common applications include conveyors, cranes, hoists, winches, rail car spotters and dumpers, ship and rail car loaders, pallet returns, elevators, and other severe-duty industrial environments.

Unique Design Ensures Long Service Life

Instead of relying on dry friction, MAGNASHEAR® brakes transmit torque through a lubricated fluid film, eliminating wear on braking surfaces, continuously lubricating internal components (i.e. bearings) and ultimately extending service life. A patented fluid recirculation system continuously removes heat — the #1 cause of failure in conventional dry brakes — while fluid damping delivers smooth, cushioned stops that reduce shock loading to the drivetrain. The totally enclosed design keeps moisture, dust, and contaminants out of the brake, ensuring reliable performance even in harsh or washdown environments.

How Oil Shear Works

A thin layer of automatic transmission fluid is placed between the friction disc and drive plate. When the brake engages, the fluid molecules shear to transmit torque and bring both surfaces into synchronous speed. Because the work is done within the fluid layer rather than through the friction surface, mechanical wear is nearly eliminated — and so is the need for air-gap adjustment. The same lubricating fluid also carries heat away from the friction stack and continuously lubricates internal components.

Suitable for a Wide Range of Motor Sizes

MAGNASHEAR® brakes are available with spring-set torque ratings from 3 to 1250 lb-ft and can be sized independent of motor horsepower or frame size. For direct motor mounting, MAGNASHEAR® motor brakes feature a “quick mount” design for NEMA 56 to 449T frame sizes and are shipped fully assembled and ready to install. Pre-mounted severe-duty motor configurations are also available.
Headquartered in Fairfield, Ohio, Force Control Industries is the world leader in Oil Shear Technology, offering a full line of clutches, brakes, and clutch brakes for OEMs in diverse applications. Their manufacturing campus includes three manufacturing facilities with over 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space along with engineering, design, customer support and administrative offices.

Faster production rates coupled with significantly longer service life than traditional (dry) clutch/brakes (typically 5 to 10 times longer life) yields increased uptime, productivity and ROI, especially for 24/7 operations. No adjustment, virtually no maintenance, multi-year service life, minimal parts inventory, reduced parts and replacement ordering cost, adds up to higher production at less cost.

Small Unit, Big Impact—Innovative Design 

The POSIDYNE #1.5 features an innovative Split-Clamped Quill feature, which reduces shaft and keyway damage to the motor shaft associated with competitive clutch/brakes. The split quill collar tightens the quill 360° around the shaft and key for superior connection. For mounting to smaller frames, the #1.5 uses a unique hidden mounting spools arrangement to tighten the motor against the clutch/brake.

Convenient options such as foot mounting kits, manifold mounted valves and optical encoders are available to fit most applications. The totally enclosed POSIDYNE clutch/brake is impervious to dust, chips, chemicals, coolants, caustic wash down, weather, and more, making them ideal for hostile environments, and severe or hazardous duty.

All POSIDYNE clutch/brakes are designed with low inertia cycling components. This makes the POSIDYNE #1.5 clutch/brake even more efficient, requiring less motor horsepower to accelerate the load, and less torque to stop the load—which adds up to significant energy savings in 24/7 manufacturing demands.

A simple actuation system allows torque in the clutch and brake to be precisely controlled. Adjustment for rapid or soft starts and stops is easily accomplished. Manifold mounted control valves reduce response times by eliminating hoses and fittings. By reducing the high starting inrush currents and the associated power factor imbalance, these unique clutch/brakes can also reduce energy costs.

The POSIDYNE clutch/brake can be actuated either by air or hydraulic pressure for use in plant or outdoor applications. The hydraulic actuation package includes a hydraulic pump, solenoid valve, regulators, and a filter. A heat exchanger can be added for additional cooling. The POSIDYNE #1.5 is inherently explosion-proof with the addition of an explosion-proof solenoid valve. And the valve assembly can also be remotely mounted in an explosion-proof cabinet.

Oil Shear Technology Makes the Difference

Oil Shear Technology is the reason that brakes by Force Control last up to 10 times longer than standard dry friction brakes and do not need maintenance, adjustment, or disc replacement. Oil Shear Technology is the function of a boundary layer of transmission fluid in shear between the friction discs and drive plates. As the parts come together, the fluid under shear will transmit torque between the two parts, as well as absorb heat. This eliminates direct contact of the friction discs and drive plates during high-speed slip. Heat from the friction surface is dissipated as the fluid circulates to the housing.

Heat dissipation is a major component when selecting a clutch/brake. The POSIDYNE clutch/brake basic unit dissipates heat through the housing by flowing the fluid from the friction surface to the housing. Additional heat can be dissipated by adding an integral fan, water cooling, and even pulling the fluid out of the unit for additional heat exchanger cooling and filtration. These cooling options allow the same compact size POSIDYNE clutch/brake to be used on high inertia loads, or in extremely high or low temperatures. Re-circulating the fluid dissipates the heat of engagement, which is a common cause of downtime with other clutch/brake assemblies.

Made in the USA – Sold Worldwide

Headquartered in Fairfield, Ohio since 1969, Force Control Industries is the world leader in Oil Shear Technology, offering a full line of industrial brakes, clutches and clutch/brakes for OEMs in diverse applications. Their manufacturing campus includes three manufacturing facilities with over 100,000 square feet of manufacturing space along with engineering, design, customer support and administrative offices.