Metal conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the look of any automated conveyor belt program. They act as the driving power behind the movement of the belt, producing 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 game with regards to pulleys. A metallic belt is only as good and specific as the pulleys. The majority of 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 may also be used but it is costly and heavy, though 
it might end up being indicated in certain applications where extra hardness is necessary. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the specialists 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 knowledge and experience to help you choose the right pulley type, diameter, and composition to minimize maintenance downtime and increase product volume.
Metallic Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom metal conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring maximum efficiency to your system. While metal conveyor belts are typically made of stainless, pulleys can be created from a variety of materials, including aluminium or a number of plastic composites. With respect to the unique needs of your system, 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 smooth belt tracking called the ISP (independently steerable pulley), which can be used in the following 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 smooth belts with an ISP is based on the concept of changing tension associations over the width of the belt simply by adjusting the angle of the pulley relative to the belt.
Instead of moving the pulley shaft left/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 was created with either a skewed or an offset bore. When rotated, the collar changes the angle of the pulley body, resulting in controlled, bi-directional movement of the belt across the pulley face.
The ISP is exclusively available from Ever-power. It offers a simple method of steering flat metallic 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 exactly 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 changing belts on production 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 flat belts.
· Existing idler pulleys can normally be 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 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 is used to prevent the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used in combination with systems having a single pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS utilized when the pulley body can be a capped tube design.
· Is NEVER used when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Utilized selectively when the ISP is usually a steering roll in a multiple pulley system.
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, avoid the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will at this point rotate about the bearing built into the ISP assembly. This technique enables the belt to become 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 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 technique enables the belt to end up being tracked while running under tension.
The Rotated Collar Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually change each belt/pulley combination whenever there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Utilized when systems have a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and additional complex belt path systems. It is suggested that these adjustments 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 desired belt tracking characteristics are obtained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Correct for You?
There are several 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 questions or for design assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide innovator in the design and production of application-specific pulleys, metallic belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide exclusive benefits for machinery used in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated production applications.
System Configuration
#1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is certainly 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 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 can be a friction driven pulley. The teeth of the drive pulley and the perforations of the belt establish a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP can be used to minimize 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 usually 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 utilized to minimize aspect loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking precision is definitely 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Take note: Although it is normally not recommended to have timing elements in both drive and driven pulleys, this design can be used selectively on metal belt systems with long center distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the top of pulley continuously changes the tracking characteristic of the belt.
