Why Consider Metallic Belts for Your Application?
Engineers who specify metal belts have options available to them that they do not have when working with other products or materials. Some important features and benefits are talked about below.
HIGH STRENGTH-TO-WEIGHT RATIO:
This is an advantage in practically every application where high strength, light weight, or both are important.
DURABILITY:
Metal belts may withstand sustained exposure to extremes of temperature, hostile conditions, and vacuum. A number of alloys can be utilized, each with its own level of resistance to chemical substances, humidity, and corrosion. Engineers generally select a belt material predicated on physical properties, availability, and cost.
NO LUBRICATION:
Unlike the links of a chain, a steel belt is a single element and, therefore, does not generate any component friction that requires lubrication. This reduces system maintenance, increases reliability, and helps to keep the system clean.
NONSTRETCHABLE:
Spring steels with a higher modulus of elasticity make metal belts virtually nonstretchable in comparison with other belt types and chain. This makes them ideal in high performance applications for precision positioning.
SMOOTH OPERATION:
Metal belts are clear of the pulsation of chordal action often seen in additional belt types and chain. This results in precise translation of the control program motion profile.
ACCURATE AND REPEATABLE:
Metal timing belts could be fabricated with a pitch accuracy of ±0.0005 inches station to station. This high amount of precision is extremely precious in designing indexing, positioning, or processing equipment.
Great THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY:
Metal belts can transmit energy in the type of heat, cold, and electrical power.
NO STATIC BUILD-UP:
Steel belts discharge static electricity, an essential capability in the manufacture of electronic components such as for example integrated circuits and surface mount devices.
CLEAN:
Unlike HTD or toned neoprene belts, steel belts do not generate particulate and are ideal for food and pharmaceutical digesting.
CLEAN ROOM COMPATIBLE:
Metal belts usually do not require lubricants and can not generate dirt that could introduce foreign substances into clean space environments. Additionally, they may be sterilized within an autoclave.
PRECISE CONSTRUCTION:
Edges are smooth and sizes are tightly toleranced.
Metal conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt program. They become the driving force behind the motion of the belt, making torque and velocity. In very general conditions it can be said that pulleys are categorized as friction drive or timing pulleys (type I and II). Precision is the name of the overall game when it comes to pulleys. A metal belt is only as good and precise as the pulleys. Many pulleys suggested by Ever-power are constructed with anodized aluminum (hard coating) with the proper friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the steel belt. Stainless steel can also be used but it is pricey and heavy, although it might end up being indicated using applications where extra hardness is necessary. If your application takes a lighter pulley, the professionals at Ever-power can help you choose the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and configuration can have a significant influence on the lifespan and efficiency of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers possess the data and experience to help you choose the right pulley type, diameter, and composition to reduce maintenance downtime and maximize product volume.
Steel Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom metal conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring optimum efficiency to one’s body. While metallic conveyor belts are usually made of stainless steel, pulleys can be created from a variety of materials, including aluminum or a number of plastic composites. Depending on the unique requirements of your system, the pulleys can also be installed with customized timing attachments, relief channels, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed a forward thinking concept in smooth belt tracking called the ISP (independently steerable pulley), which can be utilized in the following system designs:
· Two pulley conveyor systems where the ISP is the idler or driven pulley
· Systems with multiple idler pulleys on a common shaft
· Systems with serpentine or additional complex belt paths
Steering flat belts with an ISP is founded on the idea of changing tension interactions over the width of the belt by adjusting the angle of the pulley relative to the belt.
Rather than moving the pulley shaft remaining/right or up/straight down by pillow block adjustment, the ISP fits a variable steering collar and sealed bearing assembly to your body of the pulley.
The steering collar was created with the skewed or an offset bore. When rotated, the collar changes the angle of the pulley body, resulting in controlled, bi-directional movement of the belt across the pulley face.
The ISP is exclusively available from Ever-power. It offers a simple method of steering flat steel belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the original belt tracking designs of crowning, flanging, and timing elements to make a synergistic belt tracking system which efficiently and exactly steers the belt to specified tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Advantages of the ISP
· Smooth belts are tracked quickly by rotating the steering collar.
· ISP styles minimize downtime when changing belts on production machinery.
· ISP system is simple to use and needs no special tools or schooling.
· ISP simplifies the design and assembly of conveyor systems using toned belts.
· Existing idler pulleys can normally become retrofitted to an ISP without major system modifications.
· No maintenance is required once the belt tracking parameters have already been established.
· It prolongs belt life by minimizing aspect loading when using flanges and timing pulleys.
ISP Pulley (picture and cross-section view)
Installation and Use
The ISP is mounted to the machine frame using commercially available pillow blocks. A clamp can be used to avoid the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used with systems having an individual pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS utilized when the pulley body can be a capped tube style.
· Is NEVER used when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Used selectively when the ISP can be a steering roll in a multiple pulley program.
Secure the ISP to the shaft using the split training collar and locking screw included in the ISP. Rotate the shaft and collar as a unit. When the required tracking characteristics are obtained, prevent the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will right now rotate about the bearing built into the ISP assembly. This method allows the belt to be tracked while operating under tension.
Protected the ISP to the shaft using the split collar and locking screw built into the ISP. Rotate the shaft and collar as a device. When the desired tracking characteristics are obtained, prevent the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will at this point rotate about the bearing built into the ISP assembly. This technique enables the belt to become tracked while running under tension.
The Rotated Collar Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually modify each belt/pulley combination when there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Utilized when systems possess a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and additional complex belt path systems. It is recommended that these adjustments be made only once the belt reaches rest.
Fix the shaft via the shaft clamp, loosen the locking screw of the steering collar, and rotate the steering collar about the shaft. When the desired belt tracking features are obtained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Correct for You?
There are many applications for this new product, therefore Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to suit your needs. Contact Ever-power to discuss your questions or for style assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide leader in the look and production of application-specific pulleys, metal belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide exclusive benefits for machinery used in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated production applications.
System Configuration
#1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is certainly a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is certainly specified for a tracking precision of 0.030″ (0.762 mm) or greater.
· Teflon® flanges are attached to the pulley body to determine a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP is used to set one advantage of the belt against the flange with reduced side-loading to the belt.
System Configuration
Number 2 2 – The drive pulley is a timing pulley.
· The ISP is definitely a friction driven pulley. The teeth of the drive pulley and the perforations of the belt set up a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP can be used to reduce side-loading of the belt perforations. Tracking precision is between 0.008″ (0.203 mm) and 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for steel belt systems.
OR
· The ISP is definitely a timing pulley. The teeth of the ISP and the perforations of the belt are utilized for precise tracking control of the belt with the steering feature of the ISP utilized to minimize side loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking precision can be 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Take note: Although it is normally not recommended to have timing elements in both drive and driven pulleys, this design can be utilized selectively on steel belt systems with lengthy center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the top of pulley continually changes the tracking feature of the belt.