Metallic conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the look of any automated conveyor belt program. They become the driving pressure behind the motion of the belt, generating torque and rate. In very general conditions 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 with regards to pulleys. A metal belt is only as good and exact as the pulleys. The majority of pulleys recommended by Ever-power are made of anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the right friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the metallic belt. Stainless steel can also be used but it is pricey and heavy, although it might become indicated using applications where extra hardness is essential. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the specialists at Ever-power can help you choose the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and construction can have a substantial effect on the lifespan and efficiency of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers have the knowledge and experience to help you choose the appropriate pulley type, diameter, and composition to minimize maintenance downtime and maximize product volume.
Metallic Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom steel conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring optimum efficiency to your system. While metallic conveyor belts are usually made of stainless, pulleys can be created from a number of materials, including aluminum or a number of plastic composites. Depending on the unique requirements of one’s body, the pulleys can also be fitted with customized 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 used 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 toned belts with an ISP is founded on the idea of changing tension associations across the width of the belt simply by adjusting the angle 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 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 motion of the belt across the pulley face.
The ISP is exclusively available from Ever-power. It offers a simple approach to steering flat steel belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the original belt tracking styles of crowning, flanging, and timing components to create a synergistic belt tracking system which effectively and precisely steers the belt to specified tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Benefits 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 easy to use and needs simply no special tools or schooling.
· ISP simplifies the design and assembly of conveyor systems using toned 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 been established.
· It prolongs belt existence by minimizing aspect loading when using flanges and timing pulleys.
ISP Pulley (picture and cross-section view)
Installation and Use
The ISP is mounted to the system frame using commercially available pillow blocks. A clamp is 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 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 device. When the required tracking features are obtained, prevent 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 enables the belt to end up being tracked while working under tension.
Secure 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 required 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 allows the belt to end up being tracked while working under tension.
The Rotated Collar Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually modify each belt/pulley combination when there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Used when systems possess a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and other complex belt path systems. It is recommended that these modifications be made only once the belt is at 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 Right for You?
There are many applications for this new product, so Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to suit your needs. Contact Ever-power to discuss your questions or for style assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide head in the design and manufacturing of application-specific pulleys, metallic belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide unique benefits for machinery found in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated manufacturing 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 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 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 certainly a friction driven pulley. One’s teeth 
of the drive pulley and the perforations of the belt set up a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP is utilized to minimize side-loading of the belt perforations. Tracking precision is between 0.008″ (0.203 mm) and 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal belt systems.
OR
· The ISP is a timing pulley. The teeth of the ISP and the perforations of the belt are used for precise tracking control of the belt with the steering feature of the ISP used to minimize part loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking accuracy is usually 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Note: Although it is generally not recommended to have timing elements in both the 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 top of pulley continuously changes the tracking feature of the belt.
