Metal conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt program. They become the driving drive 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 game with regards to pulleys. A steel belt is only as good and exact as the pulleys. The majority of pulleys recommended by Ever-power are made from anodized aluminum (hard coat) with the right friction coefficient to drive the steel belt. Stainless steel can also be used but it is expensive 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 will help you select the best material.
Selecting the correct pulley size and construction can have a significant effect on the lifespan and performance of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers possess the knowledge and experience to assist 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 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 variety of materials, including aluminium or a variety of plastic composites. With respect to the unique requirements of your system, the pulleys may also be fitted with customized timing attachments, relief stations, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed an innovative 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 idea of changing tension human relationships over the width of the belt by adjusting the angle 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 the body of the pulley.
The steering collar is designed with the skewed or an offset bore. When rotated, the collar changes the angle of the pulley body, resulting in controlled, bi-directional movement 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 traditional belt tracking designs of crowning, flanging, and timing elements 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
· Flat 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 training.
· 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 necessary once the belt tracking 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 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 can be 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 program.
Protected the ISP to the shaft using the split collar and locking screw built into the ISP. Rotate the shaft and collar as a device. When the desired 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 technique enables the belt to end up being tracked while working 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 unit. When the required tracking features 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 allows the belt to end up being tracked while operating under tension.
The Rotated Collar Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually adapt 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 path systems. It is recommended that these changes 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 required belt tracking characteristics are acquired, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Correct 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 style assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide head in the design and manufacturing of application-specific pulleys, metallic belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide unique benefits for machinery used in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated production applications.
System Configuration
Number 1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP can be 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 determine 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 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 can be 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 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 precision is 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 design can be utilized selectively on metal belt systems with lengthy center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the surface of the pulley continuously changes the tracking characteristic of the belt.