Why Consider Metallic Belts for Your Application?
Engineers who specify metal belts have options available to them that they do not 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 edge in practically every application where high strength, light weight, or both are essential.
DURABILITY:
Metal belts may withstand sustained exposure to extremes of temperature, hostile environments, and vacuum. A variety of alloys can be utilized, each using its own level of 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 metallic belt is a single element and, therefore, will not generate any component friction that will require lubrication. This reduces system maintenance, boosts reliability, and continues the system clean.
NONSTRETCHABLE:
Spring steels with a higher modulus of elasticity make metallic belts virtually nonstretchable in comparison with 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 additional belt types and chain. This results in specific translation of the control system motion profile.
ACCURATE AND REPEATABLE:
Metal timing belts could be fabricated with a pitch accuracy of ±0.0005 inches station to station. This high amount of precision is extremely valuable in developing indexing, positioning, or processing equipment.
Great THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY:
Metal belts may transmit energy in the form 
of heat, cold, and electrical power.
NO STATIC BUILD UP:
Steel belts discharge static electricity, a crucial capability in the manufacture of electronic components such as integrated circuits and surface area mount devices.
CLEAN:
Unlike HTD or toned neoprene belts, metal belts do not generate particulate and are well suited for food and pharmaceutical digesting.
CLEAN ROOM COMPATIBLE:
Metal belts do not require lubricants and will not generate dirt that would introduce foreign substances into clean space environments. Additionally, they might be sterilized in an autoclave.
PRECISE CONSTRUCTION:
Edges are even and measurements are tightly toleranced.
Metal conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt program. They act as the driving power behind the motion of the belt, producing torque and rate. 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 overall game when it comes to pulleys. A metallic belt is only as good and exact as the pulleys. Many pulleys suggested by Ever-power are constructed with anodized aluminum (hard coat) with the right friction coefficient to drive the metal belt. Stainless steel can also be used but it is pricey and heavy, although it might become indicated in certain applications where extra hardness is essential. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the experts at Ever-power can help you select the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and configuration can have a substantial effect on the lifespan and effectiveness of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers have the data and experience to help 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 metal conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring maximum efficiency to one’s body. While metal conveyor belts are usually made of stainless, pulleys can be produced from a number of materials, including aluminum or a number of plastic composites. Depending on the unique requirements of your system, the pulleys can also be fitted with custom timing attachments, relief channels, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed a forward thinking concept in flat 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 other complex belt paths
Steering smooth belts with an ISP is founded on the idea of changing tension romantic relationships across the width of the belt by adjusting the position of the pulley in accordance with the belt.
Rather than moving the pulley shaft still left/right or up/down by pillow prevent adjustment, the ISP fits a adjustable steering collar and sealed bearing assembly to the body of the pulley.
The steering collar was created 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 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 traditional belt tracking designs of crowning, flanging, and timing components to make a synergistic belt tracking system which effectively and precisely steers the belt to specified tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Benefits of the ISP
· Smooth 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 teaching.
· ISP simplifies the look and assembly of conveyor systems using smooth belts.
· Existing idler pulleys can normally become retrofitted to an ISP without major system modifications.
· No maintenance is required once the belt monitoring parameters have been established.
· It prolongs belt existence by minimizing side loading when using flanges and timing pulleys.
ISP Pulley (picture and cross-section view)
Installation and Use
The ISP is mounted to the machine frame using commercially available pillow blocks. A clamp is utilized to avoid 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 used when the pulley body can be a capped tube design.
· Is NEVER utilized when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Utilized selectively when the ISP is a steering roll in a multiple pulley system.
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 desired tracking characteristics are obtained, avoid the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will at this point rotate about the bearing included in the ISP assembly. This method allows the belt to be tracked while running 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 required tracking characteristics are obtained, avoid the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will today rotate about the bearing built into the ISP assembly. This method allows the belt to end up being tracked while working under tension.
The Rotated Collar Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually modify each belt/pulley combination when there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Utilized when systems have a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and other complex belt route systems. It is suggested that these adjustments be made only once 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 features are acquired, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Correct for You?
There are several 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 design assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide leader in the look and manufacturing of application-specific pulleys, metallic belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide exclusive benefits for machinery found in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated manufacturing applications.
System Configuration
#1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is usually a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is certainly specified for a tracking accuracy of 0.030″ (0.762 mm) or greater.
· Teflon® flanges are attached to the pulley body to establish a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP can be used 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 set up a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP is 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 metal belt systems.
OR
· The ISP is definitely a timing pulley. One’s 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 aspect loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking precision 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 utilized selectively on metal belt systems with lengthy middle distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the top of pulley constantly changes the tracking feature of the belt.