Why Consider Steel Belts for THE APPLICATION?
Engineers who specify metallic belts have possibilities to them that they do not have when using other products or materials. Some essential features and benefits are discussed below.
HIGH STRENGTH-TO-WEIGHT RATIO:
This is an edge in practically every application where high strength, light-weight, or both are important.
DURABILITY:
Metal belts may withstand sustained contact with extremes of temperature, hostile environments, and vacuum. A number of alloys may be used, each using its own level of resistance to chemicals, humidity, and corrosion. Engineers generally decide on a belt material based 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 will require lubrication. This reduces system maintenance, boosts reliability, and retains the system clean.
NONSTRETCHABLE:
Spring steels with a higher modulus of elasticity make steel belts virtually nonstretchable as compared to additional 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 various other belt types and chain. This results in exact translation of the control program motion profile.
ACCURATE AND REPEATABLE:
Metal timing belts can be fabricated with a pitch precision of ±0.0005 inches station to station. This high amount of precision is extremely precious in developing indexing, positioning, or processing equipment.
GOOD THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY:
Metal belts can transmit energy in the type of heat, cold, and electricity.
NO STATIC BUILD UP:
Steel belts discharge static electricity, a crucial capability in the produce of electronic components such as integrated circuits and surface area mount devices.
CLEAN:
Unlike HTD or flat neoprene belts, metallic belts do not generate particulate and are well suited for food and pharmaceutical processing.
CLEAN ROOM COMPATIBLE:
Metal belts usually do not require lubricants and can not generate dust that would introduce foreign substances into clean area environments. Additionally, they may be sterilized in an autoclave.
PRECISE CONSTRUCTION:
Edges are soft and sizes are tightly toleranced.
Metal conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt system. They become the driving pressure behind the motion of the belt, creating torque and rate. In very general terms it can be said that pulleys are categorized as friction drive or timing pulleys (type I and II). Precision may be the name of the game with regards to pulleys. A steel belt is as good and exact as the pulleys. Many pulleys suggested by Ever-power are made from anodized aluminum (hard coating) with the proper friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the metallic belt. Stainless steel can also be used but it is pricey and heavy, though it might be indicated using applications where extra hardness is necessary. If your application takes a lighter pulley, the experts at Ever-power will help you choose the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and configuration can have a significant influence on the lifespan and effectiveness of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers have the data and experience to assist you choose the correct pulley type, diameter, and composition to minimize maintenance downtime and maximize product volume.
Metallic Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom metallic conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring optimum efficiency to your system. While metal conveyor belts are usually made of stainless steel, pulleys can be created from a variety of materials, including light weight aluminum or a number of plastic composites. Based on the unique needs of your system, the pulleys may also be installed with customized timing attachments, relief stations, 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 used in the next system designs:
· Two pulley conveyor systems in which the ISP may be the idler or driven pulley
· Systems with multiple idler pulleys on a common shaft
· Systems with serpentine or additional complex belt paths
Steering toned belts with an ISP is founded on the idea of changing tension interactions across the width of the belt simply by adjusting the angle of the pulley in accordance with the belt.
Instead of moving the pulley shaft remaining/right or up/down by pillow prevent adjustment, the ISP fits a adjustable steering collar and sealed bearing assembly to your body of the pulley.
The steering collar is designed with the skewed or an offset bore. When rotated, the collar changes the position of the pulley body, leading to controlled, bi-directional movement of the belt over the pulley face.
The ISP is exclusively available from Ever-power. It provides a simple approach to steering flat steel belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the traditional belt tracking styles of crowning, flanging, and timing elements to make a synergistic belt tracking system which effectively and specifically steers the belt to specific tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Advantages of the ISP
· Toned belts are tracked quickly by rotating the steering collar.
· ISP designs minimize downtime when changing belts on production machinery.
· ISP system is easy to use and requires simply no special tools or teaching.
· ISP simplifies the look and assembly of conveyor systems using flat belts.
· Existing idler pulleys can normally become retrofitted to an ISP without main system modifications.
· No maintenance is necessary once the belt tracking parameters have been established.
· It prolongs belt lifestyle by minimizing side loading when working with flanges and timing pulleys.
ISP Pulley (picture and cross-section view)
Installation and Use
The ISP is mounted to the system frame using commercially available pillow blocks. A clamp is used to avoid the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used with systems having a single pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS used when the pulley body is certainly a capped tube style.
· Is NEVER utilized when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Used selectively when the ISP can be a steering roll in a multiple pulley program.
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 features are obtained, avoid the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will right now rotate about the bearing included in the ISP assembly. This technique allows the belt to end up being tracked while running under tension.
Secure the ISP to the shaft using the split collar and locking screw included in the ISP. Rotate the shaft and collar as a unit. When the required tracking features are obtained, prevent the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will today rotate about the bearing included in the ISP assembly. This method enables the belt to be tracked while working under tension.
The Rotated Collar Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually change each belt/pulley combination whenever there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Used when systems possess a cantilevered shafting typical of 
serpentine and additional complex belt path systems. It is suggested that these adjustments be made only once the belt is at 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 attained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Right for You?
There are various applications for this new product, therefore Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to suit your needs. Contact Ever-power to go over your questions or for style assistance.
Ever-power is the worldwide innovator in the look and production of application-specific pulleys, metallic belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide unique benefits for machinery used in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated manufacturing applications.
System Configuration
Number 1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is definitely a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is certainly specified for a tracking accuracy of 0.030″ (0.762 mm) or greater.
· Teflon® flanges are mounted on the pulley body to establish a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP can be used to set one edge of the belt against the flange with minimal side-loading to the belt.
System Configuration
Number 2 2 – The drive pulley is a timing pulley.
· The ISP is usually a friction driven pulley. One’s teeth of the drive pulley and the perforations of the belt establish a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP can be used to reduce side-loading of the belt perforations. Tracking accuracy is between 0.008″ (0.203 mm) and 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal belt systems.
OR
· The ISP can be a timing pulley. The teeth of the ISP and the perforations of the belt are used for precise monitoring control of the belt with the steering feature of the ISP utilized to minimize side loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking accuracy is certainly 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Take note: Although it is generally not recommended to possess timing elements in both drive and driven pulleys, this design can be utilized selectively on metallic belt systems with lengthy center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the top of pulley continuously changes the tracking characteristic of the belt.