Wolfgang Körfer outlines the advantages of these belts in a variety of high performance applications
In the current environment of optimising cost and performance, it is always a challenge to define the best technical solution for all possible industrial applications. This challenge requires a high degree of product innovation.
The variety of applications, for example, lifting, handling, conveyor and other applications, such as exercise machines, require a comprehensive range of mechanical features.
The Gates BLACK FLAT high-performance polyurethane flat belt available with combinations of different types of polyurethane compounds and cords offer a wide range of solutions compared to other lifting elements like roller chains and steel ropes.
Gates polyurethane timing belts are made of high quality, abrasion resistant material in combination with high strength steel or aramid cord.
Polyurethane belts are generally low maintenance, high tensile strength and are abrasion- and UV-resistant. They have excellent durability against moisture and detergents, oil and fat and are highly chemical resistant. They are resistant to some acids and alkalis and can be produced meeting specific requirements. Standard polyurethane grades are not antistatic. A special antistatic polyurethane grade is available on request.
Applications for lifting and pulling such as elevators, car wash machines, car park equipment, industrial doors, vehicle body lifting in the automotive industry require high performance lifting elements.
Polyurethane flat belts with various steel cord constructions offer application specific solutions for tensile strengths and required pulley diameters. Various belt sizes can cover a range of minimum pulley diameters of 38mm up to a maximum tensile strength of 307.5kN (see table below: belt tensile strength/pulley diameters).
For corrosion critical applications and applications with direct food contact, it is essential to have belts with completely encapsulated tensile members with no exposed cord on the edges and no flights. This, together with a special polyurethane grade allows compliance to EU food regulations (N°1935/2004). Belts with steel cords can also be used to transmit data or even electric power through the cords. For this application, the polyurethane body on the belt ends are removed to set the steel cables free. Electric connectors can be applied.
Standard temperature range is from -5°C to 70°C. For use in cold environment, special polyurethane grades are available down to an environmental temperature of -30°C.
Open ended belts are typically secured by conventional clamp fastening plates. For flat belts this is often problematic because the belt may slip out of the clamp due to its slippery surface. To avoid this, Gates has developed a new generation of clamps especially for flat belts. On this system - FIX - FLAT - the belt end is equipped with teeth, fixed inside a toothed clamp. That ensures a secure connection and reduces or even avoids the risk of slipping out of the clamp body.
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Wolfgang Körfer is Gates Business Unit Director PT, Aachen, Germany. www.Gates.com/europe
