Why Consider Metal Belts for Your Application?
Engineers who specify steel belts have possibilities to them that they don’t have when working with other products or components. Some essential 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 essential.
DURABILITY:
Metal belts can withstand sustained exposure to extremes of temperature, hostile conditions, and vacuum. A variety of alloys may be used, each using its own resistance to chemical substances, humidity, and corrosion. Engineers generally select 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, will not generate any component friction that will require lubrication. This reduces program maintenance, increases reliability, and maintains the system clean.
NONSTRETCHABLE:
Springtime steels with a high modulus of elasticity make metal belts virtually nonstretchable in comparison with other belt types and chain. This makes them ideal in powerful applications for precision positioning.
SMOOTH OPERATION:
Metal belts are clear of the pulsation of chordal action often seen in other 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 degree of precision is extremely beneficial in designing indexing, positioning, or processing equipment.
GOOD THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY:
Metal belts can transmit energy in the form of heat, cold, and electrical power.
NO STATIC BUILD-UP:
Metal belts discharge static electrical power, a crucial capability in the produce of electronic components such as for example integrated circuits and surface area mount devices.
CLEAN:
Unlike HTD or smooth neoprene belts, metallic belts usually do not generate particulate and so are well suited for food and pharmaceutical processing.
CLEAN ROOM COMPATIBLE:
Metal belts usually do not require lubricants and will not generate dirt that could introduce foreign substances into clean room environments. Additionally, they might be sterilized within an autoclave.
PRECISE CONSTRUCTION:
Edges are easy and measurements are tightly toleranced.
Metal conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt system. They become the driving drive behind the motion of the belt, generating torque and quickness. 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 game with regards to pulleys. A metallic belt is as good and exact as the pulleys. The majority of pulleys recommended by Ever-power are constructed with anodized aluminum (hard coating) with the right friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the metal belt. Stainless steel can also be used but it is costly and heavy, though it might end up being indicated in certain applications where extra hardness is essential. If your application takes a lighter pulley, the specialists at Ever-power will help you select the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and configuration can have a significant effect on the lifespan and efficiency of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers possess the knowledge and experience to help you choose the appropriate pulley type, diameter, and composition to minimize maintenance downtime and increase product volume.
Steel 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, pulleys can be created from a variety of materials, including light weight aluminum or a variety of plastic composites. With respect to the unique needs of one’s body, the pulleys may also be fitted with customized timing attachments, relief channels, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed an innovative concept in smooth belt tracking called the ISP (independently steerable pulley), which can be used in the following system designs:
· Two pulley conveyor systems in which the ISP is the idler or driven pulley
· Systems with multiple idler pulleys on a common shaft
· Systems with serpentine or other complex belt paths
Steering toned belts with an ISP is based on the idea of changing tension associations across the width of the belt by adjusting the angle of the pulley in accordance with the belt.
Rather than moving the pulley shaft still left/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 is designed with either a 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 across the pulley face.
The ISP is exclusively available from Ever-power. It provides a simple approach to steering flat metallic belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the original belt tracking designs of crowning, flanging, and timing elements to create a synergistic belt tracking system which efficiently and precisely steers the belt to specific tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Advantages of the ISP
· Smooth belts are tracked quickly by rotating the steering collar.
· ISP designs minimize downtime when changing belts on creation machinery.
· ISP system is easy to use and requires simply no special tools or training.
· 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 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 system frame using commercially available pillow blocks. A clamp can be used to prevent the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used in combination with systems having an individual pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS utilized when the pulley body can be a capped tube style.
· Is NEVER utilized when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Used selectively when the ISP is usually a steering roll in a multiple pulley system.
Secure 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 required tracking features are obtained, avoid the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will now rotate about the bearing built into the ISP assembly. This method enables 
the belt to become tracked while operating under tension.
Protected the ISP to the shaft using the split training collar and locking screw included in the ISP. Rotate the shaft and collar as a device. When the desired tracking characteristics are obtained, avoid 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 technique allows the belt to be tracked while working under tension.
The Rotated Collar Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually modify each belt/pulley combination when there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Used when systems possess a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and additional complex belt route systems. It is suggested that these changes 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 required belt tracking characteristics are obtained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Correct for You?
There are numerous applications because of 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 design and production of application-specific pulleys, metal belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide unique benefits for machinery used in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated manufacturing applications.
System Configuration
#1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is certainly a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is specified for a monitoring accuracy of 0.030″ (0.762 mm) or greater.
· Teflon® flanges are mounted on the pulley body to determine a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP can be used to set one edge of the belt against the flange with reduced side-loading to the belt.
System Configuration
#2 2 – The drive pulley is a timing pulley.
· The ISP is certainly 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 minimize side-loading of the belt perforations. Tracking precision is between 0.008″ (0.203 mm) and 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metallic belt systems.
OR
· The ISP is a timing pulley. One’s 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 aspect loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking accuracy is 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 used selectively on metallic belt systems with long center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the top of pulley constantly changes the tracking feature of the belt.
