Why Consider Metallic Belts for THE APPLICATION?
Engineers who specify steel belts have possibilities to them that they don’t have when working with other products or materials. Some essential 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 may withstand sustained contact with extremes of temperature, hostile conditions, and vacuum. A variety of alloys may be used, each with its own level of resistance to chemical substances, 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 metallic belt is an individual element and, therefore, will not generate any component friction that requires lubrication. This reduces program maintenance, increases reliability, and will keep the system clean.
NONSTRETCHABLE:
Spring steels with a higher modulus of elasticity make metal belts virtually nonstretchable as compared to various 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 actions often seen in additional 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 precious in developing indexing, positioning, or processing equipment.
Great THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY:
Metal belts can transmit energy in the form of heat, cold, and electricity.
NO STATIC BUILD UP:
Metallic belts discharge static electrical power, a crucial capability in the manufacture of electronic components such as integrated circuits and surface area mount devices.
CLEAN:
Unlike HTD or smooth neoprene belts, metal belts do not generate particulate and so are ideal for food and pharmaceutical processing.
CLEAN ROOM COMPATIBLE:
Metal belts usually do not require lubricants and will not generate dirt that would introduce foreign substances into clean room environments. Additionally, they may be sterilized in an autoclave.
PRECISE CONSTRUCTION:
Edges are soft and measurements are 
tightly toleranced.
Steel conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt system. They act as the driving power behind the motion of the belt, making torque and acceleration. 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 with regards to pulleys. A metallic belt is only as good and precise as the pulleys. Most pulleys recommended by Ever-power are made of anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the right friction coefficient to drive the metallic belt. Stainless steel can also be used but it is costly and heavy, although it might be indicated in certain applications where extra hardness is essential. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the specialists at Ever-power will help you select the best material.
Selecting the correct pulley size and configuration can have a significant effect on the lifespan and effectiveness of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers possess the knowledge and experience to help you choose the appropriate pulley type, diameter, and composition to reduce maintenance downtime and maximize product volume.
Metallic Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom steel conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring maximum efficiency to one’s body. While metallic conveyor belts are usually made of stainless steel, pulleys can be produced from a variety of materials, including aluminum or a variety of plastic composites. Based on the unique needs of one’s body, the pulleys can also be installed with customized timing attachments, relief stations, 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 used in the next system designs:
· Two pulley conveyor systems where 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 flat belts with an ISP is founded on the idea of changing tension human relationships over the width of the belt simply by adjusting the angle of the pulley in accordance with the belt.
Instead of moving the pulley shaft remaining/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 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 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 components to make a synergistic belt monitoring system which efficiently and specifically 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 styles minimize downtime when changing belts on creation machinery.
· ISP system is easy to use and requires simply no special tools or schooling.
· ISP simplifies the design 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 already 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 machine frame using commercially available pillow blocks. A clamp is used to avoid the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used with systems having a single pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS used when the pulley body is usually a capped tube style.
· Is NEVER used 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 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 at this point rotate about the bearing included in the ISP assembly. This technique enables the belt to end up being tracked while working under tension.
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 technique allows the belt to become tracked while running under tension.
The Rotated Collar Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually modify each belt/pulley combination whenever there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Used when systems possess a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and various other complex belt route systems. It is recommended that these modifications 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 obtained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Right for You?
There are plenty of applications for this new product, therefore Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to meet your requirements. Contact Ever-power to go over your questions or for style assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide head in the design and production of application-specific pulleys, metallic belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide exclusive benefits for machinery used in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated manufacturing applications.
System Configuration
Number 1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is usually a friction-driven pulley. This configuration can be specified for a monitoring 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 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 is utilized 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 a timing pulley. The 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 accuracy can be 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Take 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 steel belt systems with lengthy center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the top of pulley consistently changes the tracking characteristic of the belt.