Why Consider Steel Belts for Your Application?
Engineers who specify metal belts have possibilities to them that they do not have when working with other products or components. 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 essential.
DURABILITY:
Metal belts can withstand sustained contact with extremes of temperature, hostile environments, and vacuum. A number of alloys may be used, each with its own resistance to chemicals, humidity, and corrosion. Engineers generally decide on a belt material predicated on physical properties, availability, and cost.
NO LUBRICATION:
Unlike the links of a chain, a metallic belt is a single element and, therefore, does not generate any component friction that will require lubrication. This reduces program maintenance, improves reliability, and maintains the system clean.
NONSTRETCHABLE:
Springtime steels with a high modulus of elasticity make metallic belts virtually nonstretchable when compared with other belt types and chain. This makes them ideal in powerful applications for precision positioning.
SMOOTH OPERATION:
Metal belts are free from 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 precision of ±0.0005 inches station to station. This high degree of precision is extremely beneficial in creating 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:
Steel belts discharge static electrical power, a crucial capability in the produce of electronic components such as integrated circuits and surface mount devices.
CLEAN:
Unlike HTD or toned neoprene belts, metal 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 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 look of any automated conveyor belt program. They act as the driving force behind the motion of the belt, generating torque and speed. In very general terms it can be stated 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 steel belt is only as good and exact as the pulleys. Many pulleys recommended by Ever-power are constructed with anodized aluminum (hard coating) with the proper friction coefficient to drive the metallic belt. Stainless steel can also be used but it is costly and heavy, although it might become indicated using applications where extra hardness is necessary. If your application takes a lighter pulley, the professionals at Ever-power will help you choose the best material.
Selecting the correct pulley size and configuration can have a substantial influence on the lifespan and performance of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers have the knowledge and experience to assist you choose the appropriate pulley type, diameter, and composition to reduce maintenance downtime and increase 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 typically made of stainless steel, pulleys can be created from a variety of materials, including aluminum or a variety of plastic composites. With respect to the unique needs of your system, the pulleys can also be fitted 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 next 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 various other complex belt paths
Steering smooth belts with an ISP is based on the idea of changing tension romantic relationships over the width of the belt simply by adjusting the angle of the pulley relative to the belt.
Instead of moving the pulley shaft still left/right or up/down by pillow block adjustment, the ISP fits a variable steering collar and sealed bearing assembly to the 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 motion of the belt across the pulley face.
The ISP is exclusively available from Ever-power. It offers a simple approach to steering flat metal 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 exactly steers the belt to specified tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Advantages of the ISP
· Flat belts are tracked quickly by rotating the steering collar.
· ISP designs minimize downtime when replacing belts on creation machinery.
· ISP system is easy to use and needs simply no special tools or training.
· ISP simplifies the design and assembly of conveyor systems using flat belts.
· Existing idler pulleys may normally end up being retrofitted to an ISP without main system modifications.
· No maintenance is necessary once the belt monitoring parameters have already been established.
· It prolongs belt existence by minimizing part 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 is utilized to avoid the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used in combination with systems having an individual pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS used when the pulley body is definitely a capped tube design.
· Is NEVER utilized when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Utilized selectively when the ISP can be a steering roll in a multiple pulley system.
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 unit. When the required 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 method allows the belt to end up being 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 unit. 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 included in the ISP assembly. This method enables the belt to be tracked while running under tension.
The Rotated Collar Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually change each belt/pulley combination whenever there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Utilized when systems have a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and other complex belt path systems. It is suggested that these modifications be made only when 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 acquired, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Correct for You?
There are numerous applications because of this new product, so 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 head in the design and production of application-specific pulleys, steel 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 definitely a friction-driven pulley. This configuration can be specified for a monitoring 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 is utilized to set one advantage 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 is utilized to reduce side-loading of the belt perforations. Tracking accuracy is between 0.008″ (0.203 mm) and 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metallic 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 aspect loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking accuracy is certainly 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Note: Although it is generally not recommended to have timing elements in both the 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 consistently changes the tracking characteristic of the belt.