What happens if pulleys are not aligned?
When pulleys are not aligned properly, additional loads are induced. The aim of belt alignment is to align the grooves of the drive and driven pulleys so that the belts run with minimal wear. Proper alignment extends the service life of belts and bearings, reduces vibration and noise levels, and saves energy.
What causes a misaligned pulley?
It occurs when the motor for a pulley is either too far back or too far forward, resulting in the incorrect positioning of the motor. It can be fixed relatively quickly by changing the position of the motor to align the pulley again.
How should a belt fit on a pulley?
The top of the belt should be within -inch of the outer surface of the pulley. If the belt top is deeper in the groove, the groove or belt is worn, which can shorten the remaining belt life by as much as 50 per cent.
How do you tension a motor belt?
Check the tension of the belt by pushing inward on the belt with your hand. The belt should have no more than a 1/2 inch of slack. Adjust the belt tension as needed with the pry bar until there is no more than a 1/2 inch of slack in the belt. Tighten the remaining accessory bolts with the ratchet and socket.
What can be caused by misalignment of drive pulleys?
Both misalignment conditions can create belt tracking problems, excessive wear, a chirping noise, and belt stability problems. Just a few degrees of misalignment can increase belt operating temperatures by 30° F, reducing belt life by as much as 50 percent.
What is a groove in a pulley?
Grooves, the grooves located on the pulley, including the number, and angle and width of the flanges. Pitch diameter, or the diameter of the pulley where the belt is engaged, and is critical to the drives strength-to-weight ratio. Arc of contact, the degree of which the belt wraps around the pulley.
How do you find the center to center distance of a pulley?
Definition: The center distance factor is the center distance between two pulleys expressed in a dimensionless unit, which corresponds to the pitch of the pulley and the belt used. How To Use: Multiply the center distance factor by the pitch of the belt expressed in inch or metric unit.