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, generating torque and quickness. In very general terms it can be stated 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 as good and precise as the pulleys. Most pulleys suggested by Ever-power are made of anodized aluminum (hard coating) with the proper friction coefficient to drive the steel belt. Stainless steel can also be used nonetheless it is expensive and heavy, although it might be indicated using applications where extra hardness is necessary. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the specialists at Ever-power can help you choose the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and construction can have a substantial effect on the lifespan and effectiveness of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers possess the data and experience to help 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 steel conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring optimum efficiency to your system. While metallic conveyor belts are typically made of stainless steel, pulleys can be created from a number of materials, including aluminum or a number of plastic composites. With respect to the unique needs of your system, the pulleys may also be installed with custom timing attachments, relief channels, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed an innovative concept in flat belt tracking called the ISP (independently steerable pulley), which can be used 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 idea of changing tension romantic relationships over the width of the belt by adjusting the position of the pulley relative to the belt.
Instead of moving the pulley shaft left/right or up/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 angle 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 provides a simple method of steering flat metal belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the traditional belt tracking styles of crowning, flanging, and timing components to create a synergistic belt tracking system which effectively and specifically steers the belt to specific tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Advantages of the ISP
· Toned 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 no special tools or schooling.
· ISP simplifies the design and assembly of conveyor systems using toned belts.
· Existing idler pulleys can normally end up being retrofitted to an ISP without major system modifications.
· No maintenance is required once the belt tracking parameters have already been established.
· It prolongs belt life by minimizing side 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 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 is definitely a capped tube style.
· Is NEVER used when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Utilized selectively when the ISP is usually a steering roll in a multiple pulley program.
Secure the ISP to the shaft using the split collar and locking screw built into the ISP. Rotate the shaft and collar as a unit. When the required tracking characteristics are obtained, prevent the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will today rotate about the bearing built into the ISP assembly. This technique enables the belt to become 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 required tracking characteristics 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 working under tension.
The Rotated Collar Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually change each belt/pulley combination when there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Used when systems have a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and additional 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 required belt tracking characteristics are obtained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Right for You?
There are many applications because of this new product, so 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 may be the worldwide innovator in the design and manufacturing 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 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 mounted on the pulley body to establish a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP is 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 usually 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 utilized to reduce side-loading of the belt perforations. Tracking accuracy 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. One’s teeth of the ISP and the perforations of the belt are used for precise tracking control of the belt with the steering feature of the ISP used to minimize aspect loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking precision is 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Note: Although it is generally not recommended to possess timing elements in both the drive and driven pulleys, this design can be utilized selectively on metal belt systems with long middle distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the surface of the pulley continually changes the tracking feature of the belt.