Metallic conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt system. They become the driving power behind the movement of the belt, making torque and velocity. In very general conditions it can be stated that pulleys are categorized as friction drive or timing pulleys (type I and II). Precision may be the name of the overall game when it comes to pulleys. A metal belt is as good and specific as the pulleys. The majority of pulleys suggested by Ever-power are constructed with anodized aluminum (hard coat) with the proper friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the steel belt. Stainless steel may also be used nonetheless it is pricey and heavy, although it might become indicated using applications where extra hardness is necessary. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the experts at Ever-power will help you choose the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and construction 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 correct pulley type, diameter, and composition to reduce maintenance downtime and increase product volume.
Steel Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom steel conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring optimum efficiency to one’s body. While metal conveyor belts are typically made of stainless, pulleys can be created from a variety of materials, including light weight 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 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 next system designs:
· Two pulley conveyor systems where 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 idea of changing tension relationships across the width of the belt by adjusting the position of the pulley in accordance with the belt.
Rather than moving the pulley shaft left/right or up/straight down by pillow prevent adjustment, the ISP fits a variable 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 motion of the belt over 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 traditional belt tracking styles of crowning, flanging, and timing components to make a synergistic belt monitoring system which effectively and exactly 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 designs minimize downtime when changing 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 may normally become retrofitted to an ISP without main system modifications.
· No maintenance is required once the belt tracking parameters have already been established.
· It prolongs belt life by minimizing part loading when using 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 in combination with systems having an individual pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS used 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 definitely a steering roll in a multiple pulley system.
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 features are obtained, prevent the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will today rotate about the bearing built into the ISP assembly. This technique allows the belt to be tracked while operating 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 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 technique allows the belt to end up being tracked while working under tension.
The Rotated Collar Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually adjust each belt/pulley combination when there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Utilized when systems have a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and other complex belt route systems. It is recommended that these adjustments 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 desired belt tracking characteristics are obtained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Right for You?
There are many applications for this new product, therefore Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to meet your requirements. Contact Ever-power to discuss your queries or for style assistance.
Ever-power is the worldwide head in the design and production of application-specific pulleys, steel belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide unique benefits for machinery used in 
precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated manufacturing applications.
System Configuration
Number 1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is usually a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is usually specified for a monitoring 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 can be used to set one advantage of the belt against the flange with reduced side-loading to the belt.
System Configuration
Number 2 2 – The drive pulley is a timing pulley.
· The ISP can be 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 used to reduce side-loading of the belt perforations. Tracking precision is between 0.008″ (0.203 mm) and 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for steel belt systems.
OR
· The ISP is a timing pulley. One’s 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 side loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking accuracy is definitely 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Notice: 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 center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the surface of the pulley constantly changes the tracking characteristic of the belt.
