Metal conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the design of any automated conveyor belt system. They act as the driving pressure behind the movement of the belt, producing torque and speed. 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 overall game when it comes to pulleys. A metallic belt is as good and exact as the pulleys. Most pulleys recommended by Ever-power are made from anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the proper friction coefficient to operate a vehicle the steel belt. Stainless steel may also be used but it is expensive and heavy, although it might become 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 performance of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers have the data and experience to assist you choose the correct pulley type, diameter, and composition to minimize maintenance downtime and increase product 
volume.
Steel Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom metallic conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring maximum efficiency to one’s body. While metallic conveyor belts are typically made of stainless, pulleys can be created from a number of materials, including aluminium or a number of plastic composites. Depending on the unique requirements of one’s body, the pulleys may also be fitted with custom timing attachments, relief channels, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed a forward thinking concept in smooth belt tracking called the ISP (independently steerable pulley), which can be used in the following 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 various other complex belt paths
Steering smooth belts with an ISP is based on the concept of changing tension interactions over the width of the belt by adjusting the angle of the pulley in accordance with the belt.
Rather than moving the pulley shaft remaining/right or up/straight 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 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 designs of crowning, flanging, and timing elements to create a synergistic belt monitoring system which effectively and exactly steers the belt to specified tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Advantages 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 training.
· ISP simplifies the look and assembly of conveyor systems using toned belts.
· Existing idler pulleys can normally become retrofitted to an ISP without main system modifications.
· No maintenance is required once the belt monitoring 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 machine frame using commercially available pillow blocks. A clamp is used to prevent the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used with systems having an individual 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 a steering roll in a multiple pulley system.
Secure the ISP to the shaft using the split collar and locking screw included in 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 end up being tracked while running under tension.
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 characteristics 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 method allows 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.
· Utilized when systems possess a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and other complex belt path systems. It is suggested 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 required belt tracking characteristics are obtained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Right for You?
There are many applications because of 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 design assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide leader in the look and manufacturing of application-specific pulleys, metal belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide unique benefits for machinery used in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated manufacturing applications.
System Configuration
#1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is definitely a friction-driven pulley. This configuration can be specified for a monitoring precision 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 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. The teeth of the drive pulley and the perforations of the belt set up a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP can be 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 metal belt systems.
OR
· The ISP is usually 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 usually 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Note: Although it is generally not recommended to possess timing elements in both the drive and driven pulleys, this design can be used selectively on metallic belt systems with lengthy center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the top of pulley constantly changes the tracking characteristic of the belt.
