Why Consider Metal Belts for Your Application?
Engineers who specify metallic 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 important.
DURABILITY:
Metal belts may withstand sustained contact with extremes of temperature, hostile environments, and vacuum. A number of alloys may be used, each with its own resistance to chemical substances, humidity, and corrosion. Engineers generally select a belt material based on physical properties, availability, and cost.
NO LUBRICATION:
Unlike the links of a chain, a metal belt is an individual element and, therefore, will not generate any component friction that will require lubrication. This reduces system maintenance, increases reliability, and continues the system clean.
NONSTRETCHABLE:
Springtime steels with a higher modulus of elasticity make metal belts virtually nonstretchable when compared with various other belt types and chain. This makes them ideal in powerful 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 creating indexing, positioning, or processing equipment.
GOOD 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 electricity, a crucial capability in the manufacture of electronic components such as integrated circuits and surface mount devices.
CLEAN:
Unlike HTD or smooth neoprene belts, metallic 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 can not generate dust that could introduce foreign substances into clean area environments. Additionally, they may be sterilized within an autoclave.
PRECISE CONSTRUCTION:
Edges are simple and measurements are tightly toleranced.

Metallic conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the look of any automated conveyor belt program. They act as the driving push behind the movement of the belt, making torque and swiftness. In very general conditions it can be stated that pulleys are categorized as friction drive or timing pulleys (type I and II). Precision is the name of the overall game when it comes to pulleys. A metal belt is as good and exact as the pulleys. Many pulleys suggested by Ever-power are made from anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the right friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the steel belt. Stainless steel can also be used nonetheless it is costly and heavy, although it might become indicated using applications where extra hardness is necessary. If your application takes a lighter pulley, the specialists at Ever-power will help you choose the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and construction can have a substantial influence on the lifespan and performance of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers have the knowledge and experience to help you choose the right pulley type, diameter, and composition to minimize 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 metallic conveyor belts are usually made of stainless, pulleys can be produced from a variety of materials, including aluminum or a variety of plastic composites. According to the unique requirements of your system, the pulleys can also be installed with custom timing attachments, relief stations, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed an innovative concept in toned belt tracking called the ISP (independently steerable pulley), which can be utilized in the next 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 additional complex belt paths
Steering toned belts with an ISP is founded on the concept of changing tension romantic 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/down by pillow block adjustment, the ISP fits a adjustable 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 angle of the pulley body, leading to controlled, bi-directional motion of the belt across the pulley face.
The ISP is exclusively available from Ever-power. It offers a simple approach to steering flat metal belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the original belt tracking designs of crowning, flanging, and timing components to make a synergistic belt tracking system which efficiently and precisely steers the belt to specific 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 needs simply no special tools or schooling.
· ISP simplifies the design 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 necessary once the belt tracking 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 is utilized 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 a capped tube style.
· Is NEVER used when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Utilized selectively when the ISP is certainly a steering roll in a multiple pulley program.
Secure 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 features are obtained, avoid the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will today rotate about the bearing built into the ISP assembly. This method enables 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, prevent 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 enables the belt to be tracked while running under tension.
The Rotated Collar Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually modify 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 suggested that these modifications 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 features are obtained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Right for You?
There are plenty of applications because of 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, steel belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide unique 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 can be a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is 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 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 definitely 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 reduce 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 certainly 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 precision is 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Note: Although it is normally not recommended to possess timing elements in both the drive and driven pulleys, this style can be used selectively on metallic belt systems with long center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the top of pulley constantly changes the tracking feature of the belt.