Ned Simmons wrote:
I'm working on a fail safe brake along the lines of an elevator safety
brake -- it will prevent a heavy load from falling if the supporting
roller chain breaks. I need brake pads that can be attached to the
device that will bear on a large rectangular tube column when
activated, 4 pads near the corners of the column. I found some rough
dimensions online of performance auto disc brake pads that are about
2" square, which seems appropriate. The four pads will be required to
support about 3000 pounds total.

Potential problems with automotive pads? Any suggestions other than
auto pads? McMaster has lining material, but I'd rather not design and
fabricate something that can be more easily purchased.

One concern that I can think of is that automotive brake pads are made
to be used regularly -- how are they going to work on that one
application after years of neither being used or tested? For that
matter, after years of building up dust and grease?

--
Tim Wescott
Control system and signal processing consulting
www.wescottdesign.com