Why Consider Metallic Belts for Your Application?
Engineers who specify steel belts have options available to them that they don’t have when using other products or materials. Some essential features and benefits are talked about 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 can withstand sustained exposure to extremes of temperature, hostile environments, and vacuum. A number of alloys can be utilized, 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 metal 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 high modulus of elasticity make metallic belts virtually nonstretchable as compared to 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 other belt types and chain. This results in specific 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 valuable in creating indexing, positioning, or processing equipment.
GOOD THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY:
Metal belts may transmit energy in the kind of heat, cold, and electricity.
NO STATIC BUILD UP:
Metal belts discharge static electricity, a crucial 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 usually do not generate particulate and so are ideal for food and pharmaceutical processing.
CLEAN ROOM COMPATIBLE:
Metal belts usually do not require lubricants and can not generate dirt that would introduce foreign substances into clean room environments. Additionally, they might be sterilized within an autoclave.
PRECISE CONSTRUCTION:
Edges are easy and sizes are tightly toleranced.
Metallic conveyor belt 
pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt program. They become the driving force behind the movement of the belt, producing 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 overall game when it comes to pulleys. A steel belt is as good and exact as the pulleys. The majority of pulleys suggested by Ever-power are constructed with anodized aluminum (hard coating) with the proper friction coefficient to drive the metal belt. Stainless steel can also be used nonetheless it is pricey and heavy, though it might end up being indicated using applications where extra hardness is necessary. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the specialists at Ever-power can help you select the best material.
Selecting the correct pulley size and construction can have a substantial influence on the lifespan and performance of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers have the knowledge and experience to help you choose the correct pulley type, diameter, and composition to reduce maintenance downtime and increase product volume.
Metal Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom metallic conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring optimum efficiency to your system. While steel conveyor belts are usually made of stainless, pulleys can be produced from a variety of materials, including light weight aluminum or a variety of plastic composites. Based on the unique requirements of your system, the pulleys may also be fitted with customized timing attachments, relief channels, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed a forward thinking concept in toned 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 various other complex belt paths
Steering flat belts with an ISP is based on the concept of changing tension associations over the width of the belt simply by adjusting the angle of the pulley relative to 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, resulting in controlled, bi-directional motion of the belt over the pulley face.
The ISP is exclusively available from Ever-power. It offers a simple approach to steering flat steel belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the original belt tracking styles of crowning, flanging, and timing components to create a synergistic belt monitoring system which effectively and precisely steers the belt to specific tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Benefits 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 needs simply no special tools or training.
· ISP simplifies the look and assembly of conveyor systems using toned belts.
· Existing idler pulleys can normally be retrofitted to an ISP without main system modifications.
· No maintenance is necessary once the belt monitoring parameters have already been established.
· It prolongs belt life 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 is utilized to prevent the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used in combination with systems having a single pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS utilized 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 definitely a steering roll in a multiple pulley system.
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 device. 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 included in the ISP assembly. This method enables the belt to be tracked while operating 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 device. When the required tracking characteristics are obtained, prevent 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 end up being tracked while working under tension.
The Rotated Collar Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually adjust each belt/pulley combination whenever there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Used when systems have a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and other 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 characteristics are acquired, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Right 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 queries or for style assistance.
Ever-power is the worldwide head in the look and manufacturing of application-specific pulleys, steel belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide unique benefits for machinery found in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated production applications.
System Configuration
Number 1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is usually a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is specified for a tracking accuracy 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
#2 2 – The drive pulley is a timing pulley.
· The ISP is certainly 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 metal 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 side loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking precision can be 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 style can be used selectively on metal belt systems with long middle distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the surface of the pulley continuously changes the tracking characteristic of the belt.