An OEM manufacturer of compressors was in need of a solution for one of their products that had an issue starting in the cold weather. BLM was commissioned to manufacture a custom clutch to suit their demands, modifying a standard design to meet the specific needs of this customer. Utilizing advanced CNC milling and turning, a gray iron casting was used. A tolerance of ± 0.003" was maintained throughout and the unit was assembled and finished with a coating of blue paint. The produced 6" clutch would allow the engine to start and warm up before the compressor load was applied. Thorough dimensional inspection was implemented to ensure accuracy.

As requested, the compressor pulley was twice as large as the clutch pulley to facilitate the correct speed. The clutch is appropriate for the compressor's 18 HP engine, with an idle speed of 1600 RPM, and operating RPM of 3000. 30 units were produced in a turnaround time of 4 weeks, and shipped to the customer in Canada. This centrifugal clutch is suitable for multiple applications, and can be adapted to fit particular demands. For more information about this iron centrifugal clutch project, or the other custom clutch capabilities for demanding industrial applications, please see the table below or contact BLM directly