When to use timing belts with screwed-on profiles
Timing belts are used in the packaging and food processing industries to convey products in need of sorting, separating, feeding and indexing. But in some applications, e.g. if there is an incline, a standard timing belt may be unable to convey the product without slippage or moving. This is where profiles or cleats offer an ideal solution. In most cases, the profiles, which come in a vast array of standard forms or can be customized, are welded onto the conveying side of the belt. But if welding is impossible, for example due to the size or material characteristics of the profile, or if very heavy loads or lifting applications are involved, what’s the solution?
Screwed-on profiles or cleats
False teeth that allow profiles or cleats to be fixed with screws offer an excellent alternative to welding. In fact, far from being a second-best solution, false teeth and screwed-on profiles offer three key advantages:
- More options and flexibility than welding, as the range of profile attachments you can select or create is almost endless
- Particularly high strength and durability
- An easy way to replace or move the profiles or cleats if necessary – which isn’t possible with welded profiles
In fact, we’ve noticed that more and more timing belt applications are now benefiting from false teeth and screwed-on profiles or cleats.
Fabricating false teeth
False teeth are created during the manufacture of the belt, when grooves and holes are machined in order to insert the false teeth required for the customer’s application. With a wide variety of different types of false teeth available, as well as special solutions provided on request, almost every need can be accommodated. Once equipped with the false teeth, the belt is sent for installation at the customer site.
Heavy applications
Because the metal bar that anchors the false teeth extends across the entire width of the belt, this is an extremely strong solution that is particularly useful in heavy applications. For example, using false teeth has allowed customers to exchange their steel roller chains for timing belts. Since steel roller chains are dirty, oily, and need a permanent tension device, replacing them with a clean, lower-maintenance solution is an additional win for the customer.
Flexibility
By screwing profiles or cleats onto false teeth on the timing belt, in other words, using a system of mechanical attachment, it is easy to adapt the timing belt to convey different product sizes. You simply swap out the profiles for a different size, or adjust the spacing. You can even attach hooks to your timing belt, so that the belt can be used as a lift. The false teeth system can be used with every type of timing belt: seamless, open-end, wide or cast belts. Furthermore, their stainless steel construction makes them ideal for FDA/EU food handling applications.
Would you like to know more about the options available using timing belts with false teeth and profiles or cleats? Please contact me or leave a comment below.
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