Steel conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt program. They act as the driving drive behind the motion of the belt, generating torque and rate. In very general terms 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 with regards to pulleys. A metallic belt is only as good and exact as the pulleys. The majority of pulleys recommended by Ever-power are made from anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the right friction coefficient to drive the metal belt. Stainless steel may also be used but it is pricey and heavy, although it might be indicated using applications where extra hardness is necessary. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the experts at Ever-power will help you select the best material.
Selecting the correct pulley size and configuration can have a substantial influence on the lifespan and performance of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers have the data and experience to assist 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 metal conveyor belts are typically made of stainless, pulleys can be produced from a variety of materials, including light weight aluminum or a variety of plastic composites. Depending on the unique requirements of your system, the pulleys may also be installed with customized timing attachments, relief stations, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed an innovative concept in flat belt tracking called the ISP (independently steerable pulley), which can be used in the next 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 additional complex belt paths
Steering smooth belts with an ISP is founded on the idea of changing tension romantic relationships across the width of the belt by adjusting the position of the pulley relative to the belt.
Instead of moving the pulley shaft still 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 angle of the pulley body, resulting in controlled, bi-directional motion of the belt across the pulley face.
The ISP is exclusively available from Ever-power. It provides a simple approach to steering flat metal 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 effectively and exactly 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 styles minimize downtime when replacing belts on production machinery.
· ISP system is simple to use and requires no special tools or schooling.
· ISP simplifies the design and assembly of conveyor systems using toned 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 already been established.
· It prolongs belt life 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 system 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 in combination with systems having a single pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS used when the pulley body is definitely a capped tube style.
· Is NEVER used when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Utilized selectively when the ISP is definitely 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 required tracking characteristics 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 end up being tracked while running 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 desired tracking characteristics are obtained, prevent the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will right now rotate about the bearing included in the ISP assembly. This method enables the belt to become tracked while working 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 have a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and various other complex belt path systems. It is recommended that these adjustments be made only when 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 desired belt tracking features are obtained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Right for You?
There are numerous applications for this new product, therefore Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to meet your requirements. Contact Ever-power to discuss your questions or for design assistance.
Ever-power is the worldwide innovator in the look and manufacturing 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
Number 1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP can be a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is certainly specified for a tracking accuracy of 0.030″ (0.762 mm) or greater.
· Teflon® flanges are mounted on the pulley body to determine a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP is used 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 usually 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. One’s 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 side loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking precision is certainly 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Notice: Although it is generally not recommended to possess timing elements in both the drive and driven pulleys, this style can be used selectively on steel belt systems with long center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the surface of the pulley continuously changes the tracking feature of the belt.