Formsprag

Formsprag Clutch is a designer and manufacturer of overrunning clutches that serve power transmission, aerospace, and industrial markets. Formsprag products - a range of sprag and ramp & roller type overrunning clutches - are used in various industrial applications such as mining, food processing, packaging, material handling, and aerospace & defense. The Formsprag brand is one of the many Altra Industrial Motion brands.

 

History

Working with Ohio State University, the Gear Grinding Machine Company developed the very first Formsprag sprag clutch to be used on an aircraft engine's supercharger during World War II. In 1943, the company created a subsidiary named Formgrind in order to develop overrunning sprag clutches for commercial use. In 1946, the subsidiary company became a separate corporation and was named Formsprag. Through the years, the Formsprag's engineers enabled the company to obtain several patents involving sprag and other clutch technology such as the Free-Action retainer and sprag profile, Form-Lock bi-directional backstop technology, Formchrome sprag surface treatment, and the Centrifugal Throw-out sprag profile, to name a few. These innovations in sprag technology and design enabled the use of the products in various complex industrial and aerospace applications. In 1973, the company was acquired by the Dana Corporation and later became part of DANA's Warner Electric Division. In 2000, Formsprag Clutch, along with all of Warner Electric, was acquired by Colfax Corporation and became part of the Colfax Power Transmission Group.

 

Headquarters & Locations

Formsprag Clutch is headquartered in Warren, Michigan while its sister company, Stieber Clutch, has two facilities in Germany. The company has authorized distributors located in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central & South America, and Australia as well as several countries in Asia.

 

 

 

 

Photo Courtesy of Formsprag