Metallic conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the look of any automated conveyor belt program. They act as the driving power behind the motion of the belt, producing 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 may be the name of the overall game with regards to pulleys. A metal belt is only as good and specific as the pulleys. The majority of pulleys suggested by Ever-power are made from anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the right friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the metallic belt. Stainless steel may also be used nonetheless it is pricey and heavy, although it might become indicated using applications where extra hardness is essential. If your application takes a lighter pulley, the experts at Ever-power will help you select the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and configuration can have a substantial influence on the lifespan and efficiency of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers have the knowledge and experience to assist you choose the right pulley type, diameter, and composition to reduce maintenance downtime and increase product volume.
Steel Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom metallic conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring optimum efficiency to one’s body. While steel conveyor belts are typically made of stainless steel, pulleys can be created from a number of materials, including aluminium or a variety of plastic composites. With respect to the unique requirements of your system, 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 smooth belt tracking called the ISP (independently steerable pulley), which can be utilized in the following 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 smooth belts with an ISP is founded on the concept of changing tension associations over the width of the belt by adjusting the position of the pulley relative to the belt.
Instead of moving the pulley shaft still left/right or up/straight down by pillow prevent adjustment, the ISP fits a adjustable steering collar and sealed bearing assembly to your 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 steel belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the traditional belt tracking designs of crowning, flanging, and timing elements to make a synergistic belt tracking system which efficiently and precisely 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 replacing belts on production machinery.
· ISP system is simple to use and needs simply no special tools or schooling.
· ISP simplifies the look and assembly of conveyor systems using smooth belts.
· Existing idler pulleys may 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 lifestyle by minimizing aspect 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 prevent the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used in combination with systems having a single pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS used when the pulley body is certainly a capped tube design.
· Is NEVER used when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Utilized selectively when the ISP is certainly a steering roll in a multiple pulley program.
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 features are obtained, avoid the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will today rotate about the bearing included in the ISP assembly. This method enables the belt to end up being tracked while working 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 desired 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 method allows the belt to become tracked while working under tension.
The Rotated Collar Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually adapt each belt/pulley combination when there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Utilized when systems have a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and additional complex belt route 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 desired belt tracking characteristics 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 design assistance.
Ever-power is the worldwide leader in the look 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 a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is specified for a tracking precision 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 is used to set one advantage of the belt against the flange with minimal side-loading to the belt.
System Configuration
#2 2 – The drive pulley is a timing pulley.
· The ISP can be a friction driven pulley. The 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 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 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 used 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.
Notice: Although it is normally not recommended to possess timing elements in both the drive and driven pulleys, this design can be utilized selectively on metallic belt systems with lengthy center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the surface of the pulley continually changes the tracking feature of the belt.