LOS
ANGELES, May 12, 2003
-- Magnetek Inc. (NYSE:
MAG) today announced
the introduction of
an innovative electronic
braking system that
utilizes state-of-the-art,
solid-state drive
technology to provide
variable torque control
of industrial shoe
and disc brakes.
Used in material handling
applications, Magnetek's
"brake-by-wire" system
is similar to technology
being considered for
"drive-by-wire" motor
vehicles.
With
Magnetek's Braketronic(TM)
Controller, single
or multiple brakes
can be proportionally
controlled by foot
pedal, master switch,
radio, or selectively
by any of these means.
The controller, developed
by the Mondel Engineering
division of Magnetek's
Industrial Controls
Group, can also be
configured to gradually
apply the brakes by
pre-programmed ramping,
initiated by single-step
wireless or wireline
control devices. Any
voltage or frequency
alternating current
(AC), direct current
(DC), single-phase
or three-phase power
supply (such as Magnetek
digital power supplies)
can be employed to
power Braketronic
Controllers.
The
Braketronic units
are designed to replace
existing high-maintenance,
power-assisted air-over-hydraulic
systems to provide
fail-safe emergency
braking on all types
of indoor and outdoor
cranes and moveable
lift bridges in industrial
and mill-duty applications.
Magnetek's Power
Electronics Group
is engaged in engineering
development programs
for "drive-by-wire"
motor vehicles as
well.
The
Company's Industrial
Controls Group pioneered
the application of
solid-state drive
systems in material-handling
and people-moving
applications in the
1960s. Three generations
of Magnetek AC drives
and tens of thousands
of Magnetek analog
and digital DC drives
now control overhead
cranes, hoists, and
elevators on six continents.
Most of the world's
tallest buildings
utilize Magnetek drive
systems on their highest
speed cars.
Magnetek,
Inc. manufactures
digital power supplies
and systems used in
many industrial, commercial
and consumer applications
requiring highly reliable,
precise, energy-efficient
power. The Company
operates manufacturing
and research facilities
in North America,
Europe and Asia, employs
approximately 1,500
people and reported
revenue of $188 million
for fiscal 2002, ended
on June 30, 2002.
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