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EFFECTIVE FRICTION SOLUTION FOR A SLIDING CLUTCH

A Canadian company registered in Toronto, and with several of the world's most famous car brands on its list of customers, experienced problems with the material in a sliding clutch – just when they were about to start their series production. The friction material in the clutch did not last.

The Canadian company already had a subcontractor that had produced prototypes. They had been tested and approved in both short and long field tests. The problem was that the subcontractor could not produce the correct quality when the series manufacturing was to start.

With the overhanging threat of having to close down all of the planned product launch, the company scanned the market for a new subcontractor. We were consulted and replied that in all probability we could help them with a solution.

The product manager flew to Sweden with test plates in his hand baggage. He put these metal carriers on the table and said: "I want to have a prototype with me on the way home. Now on Sunday".

The requirements we had to work on were that the friction lining could be punched out, and be thin, bendable and flexible. It should also withstand a specified speed and degree of heat. After careful calculation and design proposals from our technicians, the choice fell on friction material BK4200. It was processed, glued, fitted and delivered in time for the product manager's trip home.

The short time tests that followed produced good results. The same applied to the long duration tests, and it was possible to start production in series. In the course of time we have followed up the development of the process for the customer, For example we have switched from punching to waterjet cutting the material, which has reduced material wastage and gives the customer better business value.