Why Consider Metallic Belts for THE APPLICATION?
Engineers who specify metallic belts have options available to them that they do not have when using other products or components. Some important features and benefits are discussed 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 contact with extremes of temperature, hostile environments, and vacuum. A variety of alloys can be utilized, each with its own 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 an individual element and, therefore, does not generate any component friction that will require lubrication. This reduces system maintenance, improves reliability, and will keep the system clean.
NONSTRETCHABLE:
Spring steels with a high modulus of elasticity make metallic 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 free from the pulsation of chordal actions often seen in additional belt types and chain. This results in exact translation of the control system 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 designing indexing, positioning, or processing equipment.
Great THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY:
Metal belts may transmit energy in the form of heat, cold, and electricity.
NO STATIC BUILD-UP:
Metal belts discharge static electrical power, 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 ideal for food and pharmaceutical processing.
CLEAN ROOM COMPATIBLE:
Metal belts usually do not require lubricants and can not generate dirt that could introduce foreign substances into clean area environments. Additionally, they may be sterilized within an autoclave.
PRECISE CONSTRUCTION:
Edges are simple and dimensions are tightly toleranced.
Metal conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt system. They become the driving power behind the motion of the belt, generating torque and quickness. 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 when it comes to pulleys. A steel belt is as good and specific as the pulleys. Most pulleys suggested by Ever-power are constructed with anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the right friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the steel belt. Stainless steel can also be used nonetheless it is pricey and heavy, though it might be indicated using applications where extra hardness is necessary. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the experts at Ever-power will help you select the best material.
Selecting the correct pulley size and construction can have a significant effect on the lifespan and efficiency 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 increase product volume.
Metal Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom metallic conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring maximum efficiency to one’s body. While metal conveyor belts are typically made of stainless steel, pulleys can be created from a number of materials, including aluminum or a variety of plastic composites. According to the unique needs of your system, the pulleys may also be installed 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 utilized 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 based on the concept of changing tension interactions over the width of the belt simply by adjusting the angle of the pulley relative to the belt.
Rather than moving the pulley shaft left/right or up/down by pillow block adjustment, the ISP fits a adjustable steering collar and sealed bearing assembly to the body of the pulley.
The steering collar was created with either a skewed or an offset bore. When rotated, the collar changes the position 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 provides 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 monitoring system which efficiently and precisely steers the belt to specified tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Benefits 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 no special tools or training.
· ISP simplifies the look and assembly of conveyor systems using flat belts.
· Existing idler pulleys may normally be retrofitted to an ISP without main system modifications.
· No maintenance is required once the belt tracking parameters have been established.
· It prolongs belt existence by minimizing part 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 can be used to avoid the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Approach to 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 used when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Used selectively when the ISP is a steering roll in a multiple pulley program.
Protected 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 technique enables the belt to become tracked while running under tension.
Secure the ISP to the shaft using the split training collar and locking screw built into the ISP. Rotate the shaft and collar as a unit. 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 method allows the belt to end up being tracked while operating under tension.
The Rotated Collar Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually adapt each belt/pulley combination when there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Utilized when systems possess a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and various other complex belt path systems. It is suggested that these modifications be made only when 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 characteristics are acquired, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Right for You?
There are several applications for this new product, so Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to meet your requirements. Contact Ever-power to discuss your queries or for design assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide head in the design and production of application-specific pulleys, metal belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide exclusive benefits for machinery found in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated manufacturing applications.
System Configuration
Number 1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP can be 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 establish 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
Number 2 2 – The drive pulley is a timing pulley.
· The ISP is a friction driven pulley. The 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 precision is between 0.008″ (0.203 mm) and 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for steel belt systems.
OR
· The ISP is certainly a timing pulley. The teeth of the ISP and the perforations of the belt are utilized for precise monitoring control of the belt with the steering feature of the ISP used to minimize part 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 normally not recommended to possess timing elements in both the drive and driven pulleys, this style can be used selectively on metal belt systems with lengthy middle distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the surface of the pulley continually changes the tracking feature of the belt.