Metal conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt program. They become the driving force behind the motion of the belt, producing torque and velocity. In very general conditions 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 only as good and precise as the pulleys. Many pulleys suggested by Ever-power are constructed with anodized aluminum (hard coating) with the proper friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the steel belt. Stainless steel can also be used but it is pricey and heavy, although it might end up being indicated using applications where extra hardness is necessary. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the professionals at Ever-power can help you select the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and configuration can have a significant effect on the lifespan and efficiency 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 maximize product volume.
Steel Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom metal conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring optimum efficiency to one’s body. While metallic conveyor belts are typically made of stainless steel, pulleys can be created from a variety of materials, including aluminum or a number of plastic composites. Depending on the unique requirements of one’s body, the pulleys may also be installed 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 is 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 founded on the idea of changing tension interactions over the width of the belt by adjusting the angle of the pulley relative to the belt.
Rather than moving the pulley shaft remaining/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 was created 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 across 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 original belt tracking designs of crowning, flanging, and timing elements to make a synergistic belt tracking system which efficiently and exactly steers the belt to specific 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 simple to use and needs no special tools or training.
· ISP simplifies the design and assembly of conveyor systems using flat 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 existence by minimizing side 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 can be used to avoid the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used with systems having an individual pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS utilized 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 can be a steering roll in a multiple pulley program.
Secure 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, avoid 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 operating under tension.
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 method enables the belt to become tracked while operating under tension.
The Rotated Collar Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually modify each belt/pulley combination whenever there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Utilized when systems possess a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and additional complex belt route systems. It is recommended that these adjustments 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 desired belt tracking features are obtained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Correct for You?
There are many applications for this new product, therefore Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to suit your needs. Contact Ever-power to go over your queries or for style assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide leader in the look and production of application-specific pulleys, metal belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide exclusive benefits for machinery used in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated production applications.
System Configuration
#1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is certainly a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is specified for a tracking precision 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 advantage 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 definitely 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 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 tracking control of the belt with the steering feature of the ISP utilized to minimize part loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking precision can be 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 used selectively on steel 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.