Steel conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the look of any automated conveyor belt system. They act as the driving push behind the movement of the belt, generating torque and velocity. In very general terms 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 metal belt is only as good and specific as the pulleys. Many pulleys recommended by Ever-power are made of anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the right friction coefficient to drive the metallic belt. Stainless steel can also be used but it is costly and heavy, although it might be indicated in certain applications where extra hardness is essential. If your application takes a lighter pulley, the professionals at Ever-power will help you choose 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 assist you choose the right pulley type, diameter, and composition to minimize maintenance downtime and maximize product volume.
Metallic Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom metal conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring maximum efficiency to your system. While metal conveyor belts are usually made of stainless steel, pulleys can be created from a number of materials, including aluminum or a variety of plastic composites. According to the unique needs of one’s body, the pulleys can also be installed with customized timing attachments, relief channels, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed a forward thinking concept in flat 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 may be the idler or driven pulley
· Systems with multiple idler pulleys on a common shaft
· Systems with serpentine or other complex belt paths
Steering smooth belts with an ISP is founded on the concept of changing tension interactions across the width of the belt 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 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 position of the pulley body, leading to 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 metal belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the traditional belt tracking designs of crowning, flanging, and timing elements to make a synergistic belt tracking system which efficiently and exactly steers the belt to specified tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Advantages of the ISP
· Flat belts are tracked quickly by rotating the steering collar.
· ISP styles minimize downtime when replacing belts on creation machinery.
· ISP system is simple to use and requires no special tools or teaching.
· ISP simplifies the design and assembly of conveyor systems using flat belts.
· Existing idler pulleys can normally become retrofitted to an ISP without major system modifications.
· No maintenance is required once the belt tracking 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 can be used to prevent 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 used when the pulley body is usually a capped tube design.
· Is NEVER used when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Used selectively when the ISP is certainly 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 characteristics are obtained, avoid 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 method allows the belt to become tracked while working under tension.
Protected the ISP to the shaft using the split training collar and locking screw built into 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 today rotate about the bearing included in 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 change 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 path systems. It is suggested that these modifications be made only when 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 attained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Correct for You?
There are several applications because of this new product, therefore Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to meet your requirements. Contact Ever-power to go over your questions or for design assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide leader in the design 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 manufacturing applications.
System Configuration
#1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP can be a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is definitely 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 utilized to set one edge of the belt against the flange with minimal side-loading to the belt.
System Configuration
Number 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 is used to minimize side-loading of the belt perforations. Tracking accuracy is between 0.008″ (0.203 mm) and 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metallic belt systems.
OR
· The ISP is definitely a timing pulley. One’s 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 used to minimize part loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking accuracy is 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 style can be utilized selectively on metallic belt systems with lengthy center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the surface of the pulley constantly changes the tracking feature of the belt.