Why Consider Steel Belts for Your Application?
Engineers who specify metal belts have 
options available to them that they do not have when working with other products or components. Some important 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 can withstand sustained exposure to extremes of temperature, hostile conditions, and vacuum. A number of alloys may be used, each with its own resistance to chemical substances, humidity, and corrosion. Engineers generally decide on a belt material predicated on physical properties, availability, and cost.
NO LUBRICATION:
Unlike the links of a chain, a steel belt is an individual element and, therefore, will not generate any component friction that will require lubrication. This reduces program maintenance, improves reliability, and continues the system clean.
NONSTRETCHABLE:
Springtime steels with a higher modulus of elasticity make steel belts virtually nonstretchable in comparison with various other belt types and chain. This makes them ideal in high performance applications for precision positioning.
SMOOTH OPERATION:
Metal belts are clear of the pulsation of chordal action often seen in other belt types and chain. This results in specific translation of the control program motion profile.
ACCURATE AND REPEATABLE:
Metal timing belts can be fabricated with a pitch precision of ±0.0005 inches station to station. This high amount of precision is extremely valuable in designing indexing, positioning, or processing equipment.
Great THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY:
Metal belts may transmit energy in the type of heat, cold, and electrical power.
NO STATIC BUILD UP:
Metal belts discharge static electrical power, a crucial capability in the manufacture of electronic components such as 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 do not require lubricants and will not generate dust that would introduce foreign substances into clean space environments. Additionally, they may be sterilized within an autoclave.
PRECISE CONSTRUCTION:
Edges are even and measurements are tightly toleranced.
Metallic conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the look of any automated conveyor belt system. They become the driving force behind the movement of the belt, making torque and rate. In very general terms it can be said that pulleys are categorized as friction drive or timing pulleys (type I and II). Precision is the name of the game when it comes to pulleys. A steel belt is only as good and exact as the pulleys. Many pulleys suggested by Ever-power are constructed with anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the right friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the steel belt. Stainless steel may also be used but it is pricey and heavy, though it might end up being indicated in certain applications where extra hardness is essential. If your application takes a lighter pulley, the professionals at Ever-power will help you select the best material.
Selecting the correct pulley size and configuration can have a significant influence on the lifespan and efficiency of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers have the knowledge and experience to assist you choose the correct pulley type, diameter, and composition to minimize maintenance downtime and maximize product volume.
Metallic Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom metallic conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring maximum efficiency to one’s body. While metal conveyor belts are usually made of stainless, pulleys can be produced from a variety of materials, including light weight aluminum or a variety of plastic composites. Based on the unique requirements of one’s body, the pulleys can also be fitted 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 utilized 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 other complex belt paths
Steering flat belts with an ISP is founded on the concept of changing tension human relationships across the width of the belt simply by adjusting the position of the pulley relative to the belt.
Rather than moving the pulley shaft still left/right or up/straight 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 was created 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 offers a simple approach to steering flat metallic belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the original belt tracking designs of crowning, flanging, and timing elements to make a synergistic belt monitoring system which effectively and specifically steers the belt to specific tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Benefits of the ISP
· Flat 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 simply no special tools or schooling.
· ISP simplifies the look and assembly of conveyor systems using smooth belts.
· Existing idler pulleys can normally become retrofitted to an ISP without major system modifications.
· No maintenance is necessary once the belt monitoring parameters have already been established.
· It prolongs belt life by minimizing part 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 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 utilized when the pulley body is certainly a capped tube design.
· Is NEVER utilized when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Used selectively when the ISP can be 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 device. When the required tracking characteristics are obtained, avoid the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will now rotate about the bearing included in the ISP assembly. This method allows the belt to be tracked while running 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 now rotate about the bearing built into the ISP assembly. This technique enables the belt to be tracked while operating under tension.
The Rotated Collar Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually adapt each belt/pulley combination whenever there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Utilized when systems possess a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and various other complex belt route systems. It is suggested that these changes 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 features are attained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Correct for You?
There are various applications for this new product, therefore Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to suit your needs. Contact Ever-power to discuss your queries or for style assistance.
Ever-power is the worldwide head in the look and manufacturing of application-specific pulleys, metal 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 monitoring 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 minimal side-loading to the belt.
System Configuration
#2 2 – The drive pulley is a timing pulley.
· The ISP is certainly 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 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. The 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 utilized to minimize part loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking accuracy is definitely 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Note: Although it is normally not recommended to have timing elements in both drive and driven pulleys, this design can be used selectively on metallic belt systems with lengthy middle distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the surface of the pulley continuously changes the tracking characteristic of the belt.