Metallic conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the look of any automated conveyor belt system. They become the driving push behind the movement of the belt, creating torque and swiftness. 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 when it comes to pulleys. A steel belt is as good and specific as the pulleys. Many pulleys suggested by Ever-power are constructed with anodized aluminum (hard coat) with the proper friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the metallic belt. Stainless steel may also be used but it is costly and heavy, although it might end up being indicated in certain applications where extra hardness is essential. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the professionals at Ever-power can help you choose the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and construction can have a substantial influence on the lifespan and effectiveness of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers have the knowledge and experience to help you choose the correct pulley type, diameter, and composition to reduce maintenance downtime and increase product volume.
Steel Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom metal conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring maximum efficiency to your system. While steel conveyor belts are usually made of stainless steel, pulleys can be produced from a variety of materials, including aluminum or a number of plastic composites. According to the unique needs of your system, the pulleys can also be fitted with customized timing attachments, relief channels, 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 various other complex belt paths
Steering flat belts with an ISP is based on the idea of changing tension associations over the width of the belt simply by adjusting the angle of the pulley relative to the belt.
Instead of moving the pulley shaft 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 is designed with either a 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 method of steering flat steel 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 efficiently and specifically 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 creation machinery.
· ISP system is simple to use and needs simply no special tools or training.
· ISP simplifies the look and assembly of conveyor systems using smooth belts.
· Existing idler pulleys may normally end up being retrofitted to an ISP without main system modifications.
· No maintenance is required once the belt monitoring parameters have been established.
· It prolongs belt existence by minimizing aspect loading when working with 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 prevent 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 certainly a capped tube design.
· Is NEVER utilized when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Utilized selectively when the ISP is certainly a steering roll in a multiple pulley system.
Secure 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 required tracking features are obtained, avoid the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will now rotate about the bearing built into the ISP assembly. This technique allows the belt to be tracked while operating under tension.
Protected 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, 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 technique allows the belt to be tracked while running under tension.
The Rotated Collar Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually adjust each belt/pulley combination when there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Used when systems possess a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and additional complex belt route 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 various applications because of this new product, so Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to suit your needs. Contact Ever-power to go over your queries or for design assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide head in the design and production of application-specific pulleys, metallic belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide exclusive benefits for machinery found in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated production applications.
System Configuration
#1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is usually specified for a tracking accuracy 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 utilized 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 a friction driven pulley. The 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 precision 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. 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 aspect 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 normally not recommended to have timing elements in both 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.