A Complete Guide to PU Timing Belt Maintenance and Longevity
Polyurethane belts (PU Belts) are timing/cam belts made from plastic material and are utilized widely across the industrial sector for transferring power. What makes them so versatile is their elasticity, which is much better than rubber, and they are also more durable since they are rated for various temperature tolerances. Together, these characteristics make PU belts a highly preferable option for any kind of industry. These belts are also suited for handling heavy-duty operations, as they have a high load capacity and high tensile strength.
Maintaining these
PU Timing belts are also not a hassle as they tend to be resistant to chemicals, oil, and abrasion. With such qualities, it is really no wonder that PU belts fit any type of industrial setup in a wide range of sectors. In this blog, we will delve further into the maintenance aspect of PU belts so that, as a facility operator, you can maximize the service life of these components.
Role of Timing Belts
Timing belts are versatile and perform multiple roles in various types of transmission systems. Timing belts are a component of transmission systems and are arranged in various configurations depending on the type of operation. Transmission systems can be part of any industrial operation, such as, Machine tools, Compressors, Printing machinery, Hydraulic gear pumps and Building machinery.
Maintenance Measures to Maximize Operational Life of PU Belts
Keeping maintenance belts in top condition is the key to better industrial productivity so let us look at how different small measures can make a vast impact on PU belt performance.
• Periodic Inspection for Misalignment
A common cause of belt failure is misalignment, which can occur in any type of industrial machinery configuration. Some visible signs of misalignment include faster wear of belt teeth or uneven tooth erosion, with some teeth completely damaged while others are only moderately damaged. Belt breakage is also another sign of misalignment.
To resolve this issue and prevent it from recurring, there is no alternative to periodic checks. The shafts need to be aligned as well as the timing pulleys for peak service life.
• Avoid Overloading the Belt
Exceeding the weight limits on a frequent basis will only result in the belt wearing down excessively in a short period. The belt teeth would erode, and tensile failure is another issue that happens in extreme cases. Abruptly introducing a heavy load also tends to wear down the belt teeth faster.
• Ensure Belt Tension is Balanced
An improper belt tension is another reason that can shorten service life if not addressed promptly. A belt that is lower tension than normal starts skipping teeth, which basically means that the pressure among teeth is unevenly distributed, so some teeth bear more load and tend to get damaged more. It also makes the belt movement noisy. Hence, making sure that the tension of the belt is precise is vital for smooth performance. The correct way to do this is to use a tension gauge to set the correct tension level.
• Pulley Maintenance for Timing Belts Protection
Timing pulleys that are damaged also have a big impact on the performance and life expectancy of the belt. A damaged pulley means that the belt teeth will become eroded in a brief period of time. Moreover, the gouges on the pulley can rip up the belt. Inspection and replacement of pulleys in a timely manner is vital if there are symptoms of wear and tear.
• Cleaning the Belt Regularly
The performance of the pulley is impacted greatly if there is dust buildup between drives and pulleys. To prevent such a situation, cleaning should be performed according to a fixed schedule. Dirt on the teeth tends to scrape on the belt, causing the oil to seep into the belt material and this causes internal damage. The way to remove dust and debris is through using a brush with stiff bristles.
Tooth Types in Cam Belts
Cambelts need to be compatible with the industrial setup to perform efficiently and an incompatible belt only means that the system will not function. To ensure compatibility, various belt features need to be considered to make the correct choice. These include rotation, width, speed, pitch, and teeth shape. Timing belt teeth configuration varies to match the environment in which the belt is installed. Some common teeth profiles are
• Trapezoidal Belt: the tooth shape consists of flat-top ridges, and this type of tooth profile is the most widely utilized in the industrial sector. The specialty of the trapezoidal belt is that it maximizes force transmission. But the downside is that at higher speeds or torques, belts with such teeth also have a high rate of wear and tear, leading to a short service life.
• Curvilinear Belt: The tooth shape in these belts is smoother and more rounded and the ridges between the teeth are deeper. These tooth shapes reduce the risk of belt ratcheting. The curvilinear teeth also act as a shock absorber and blunt the stress forces that are usually encountered at high speeds and torques. However, these belts are also not flawless as they are not positioned in a peak manner.
• Modified Curvilinear Belt: A further refinement of this curvilinear belt is the modified curvilinear one. These belt teeth have the best of both tooth profiles
Conclusion
In the end, the goal of PU timing belt maintenance is less about extending the life of a consumable part, but about protecting the seamless operation of your business. These belts are the quiet orchestra leaders of your production; when in harmony together, your machines flow effortlessly and efficiently, downtime is non-existent, and your profits flatten. When simple inspection and maintenance is neglected, even the smallest incident can become a major downtime event, robbing you of profit and peace of mind.
