Why Consider Steel Belts for THE APPLICATION?
Engineers who specify metal belts have options available to them that they do not have when using 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 exposure to extremes of temperature, hostile environments, and vacuum. A variety of alloys can be utilized, each with its own 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 metal belt is a single element and, therefore, does not generate any component friction that requires lubrication. This reduces system maintenance, boosts reliability, and maintains the system clean.
NONSTRETCHABLE:
Spring steels with a higher modulus of elasticity make steel belts virtually nonstretchable when compared with additional belt types and chain. This makes them ideal in powerful applications for precision positioning.
SMOOTH OPERATION:
Metal belts are free from the pulsation of chordal actions 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 can be fabricated with a pitch accuracy of ±0.0005 inches station to station. This high degree of precision is extremely valuable in developing indexing, positioning, or processing equipment.
GOOD THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY:
Metal belts may transmit energy in the type of heat, cold, and electrical power.
NO STATIC BUILD-UP:
Steel belts discharge static electrical power, a crucial capability in the manufacture of electronic components such as for example integrated circuits and surface area mount devices.
CLEAN:
Unlike HTD or toned neoprene belts, metal belts usually do not generate particulate and so are well suited for food and pharmaceutical processing.
CLEAN ROOM COMPATIBLE:
Metal belts usually do not require lubricants 
and can not generate dust that could introduce foreign substances into clean space environments. Additionally, they may be sterilized in an autoclave.
PRECISE CONSTRUCTION:
Edges are clean and sizes are tightly toleranced.
Steel conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt system. They become the driving drive 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 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 constructed with anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the proper friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the metallic belt. Stainless steel may also be used but it is expensive 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 can help you select 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.
Metal Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom steel conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring maximum efficiency to your system. While steel conveyor belts are typically made of stainless, pulleys can be produced from a number of materials, including aluminum or a number of plastic composites. With respect to the unique requirements of your system, the pulleys may also be fitted with customized 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 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 flat belts with an ISP is founded on the idea of changing tension relationships across the width of the belt simply by adjusting the angle of the pulley relative to the belt.
Rather than moving the pulley shaft left/right or up/straight down by pillow block adjustment, the ISP fits a variable 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 position of the pulley body, leading to 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 metal belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the traditional belt tracking styles of crowning, flanging, and timing elements 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
· 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 requires simply no special tools or teaching.
· ISP simplifies the design and assembly of conveyor systems using flat belts.
· Existing idler pulleys may normally be 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 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 is usually a capped tube style.
· Is NEVER utilized when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Used selectively when the ISP is usually 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 required tracking characteristics 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 technique allows the belt to be tracked while running 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 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 built into the ISP assembly. This method allows the belt to end up being tracked while operating under tension.
The Rotated Collar Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually modify each belt/pulley combination whenever 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 recommended 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 desired belt tracking features are attained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Right for You?
There are various applications because of this new product, so Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to meet your requirements. Contact Ever-power to discuss your queries or for design assistance.
Ever-power is the worldwide leader in the design and manufacturing of application-specific pulleys, metallic belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide unique 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 can be 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 determine 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
#2 2 – The drive pulley is a timing pulley.
· The ISP is definitely a friction driven pulley. One’s teeth of the drive pulley and the perforations of the belt establish 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 definitely a timing pulley. The 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 side loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking accuracy is usually 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 used selectively on metal belt systems with lengthy center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the top of pulley continually changes the tracking feature of the belt.