Steel conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt program. They act as the driving drive behind the motion of the belt, producing torque and speed. 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 game when it comes to pulleys. A metal belt is as good and exact as the pulleys. Most pulleys recommended by Ever-power are constructed with anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the right friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the metal belt. Stainless steel may also be used nonetheless it is pricey and heavy, though it might end up being indicated using applications where extra hardness is essential. If your application takes a lighter pulley, the experts at Ever-power will help you choose the best material.
Selecting the correct pulley size and construction can have a substantial influence on the lifespan and efficiency 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.
Steel 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 usually made of stainless, pulleys can be created from a variety of materials, including aluminum or a number of plastic composites. Depending on the unique needs of your system, the pulleys may also be installed with custom timing attachments, relief stations, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed a forward thinking concept in toned belt tracking called the ISP (independently steerable pulley), which can be used in the following system designs:
· Two pulley conveyor systems in which the ISP is 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 based on the idea of changing tension romantic relationships over the width of the belt by adjusting the angle of the pulley in accordance with the belt.
Rather than moving the pulley shaft still left/right or up/down by pillow prevent adjustment, the ISP fits a variable steering collar and sealed bearing assembly to the body of the pulley.
The steering collar was created with the 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 method of steering flat steel belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the original belt tracking styles of crowning, flanging, and timing components to create a synergistic belt monitoring system which efficiently and precisely steers the belt to specified tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Advantages of the ISP
· Smooth belts are tracked quickly by rotating the steering collar.
· ISP designs minimize downtime when changing belts on production machinery.
· ISP system is easy to use and requires no special tools or training.
· ISP simplifies the design and assembly of conveyor systems using smooth belts.
· Existing idler pulleys may normally be retrofitted to an ISP without major system modifications.
· No maintenance is necessary once the belt monitoring parameters have 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 Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used with systems having a single pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS used when the pulley body is a capped tube design.
· 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.
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 desired tracking features 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 enables the belt to end up being tracked while running 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 device. When the desired tracking characteristics are obtained, prevent 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 be tracked while working under tension.
The Rotated Collar Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually adjust 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 route systems. It is recommended that these changes 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 obtained, 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 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 is definitely a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is usually specified for a monitoring precision 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 reduced side-loading to the belt.
System Configuration
#2 2 – The drive pulley is a timing pulley.
· The ISP is usually 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 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 certainly a timing pulley. One’s teeth of the ISP and the perforations of the belt are utilized for precise monitoring control of the belt with the steering feature of the ISP used to minimize side loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking precision is definitely 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Take note: Although it is normally not recommended to possess timing elements in both drive and driven pulleys, this design can be used selectively on metallic belt systems with long center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the surface of the pulley continually changes the tracking feature of the belt.