Feed belts (more about them than maybe you want to know….)
Why are feed belts important? In many ways the rest of a feeder is just the “fluff” around the feed belt. We ask our feed belts to perform simultaneously contradictory tasks – to gently separate product without any marking or marring AND to quickly, accurately and efficiently pull one piece from a pile. Monitoring belt wear, and proactive PM are critical to optimizing efficiency, consistency and accuracy.
How are they made? To simultaneously accomplish those demanding tasks we use a specific combination of materials. Natural rubber provides excellent wear and durability yet treats each piece gently. It also doesn’t transfer, and is soft enough to avoid marking even the most sensitive coatings (scratch off, UV, etc.) This is bonded to a Kevlar fabric base for stability, strength and durability. Tapered edges reduce wear from contact with rollers and idlers. Our belts are made to exacting standards with very small tolerances. Nevertheless we ensure that each belt is QC’d and identified according to small differences in inside diameter. You may have noticed that the belts always carry a handwritten code (A, B or C.) Why is this critical? If you use only one or two belts on your feeder, it isn’t especially important – but precision always helps performance. However, if you run a wide product and use 3 or more belts, then small differences will become big hassles when you try to tension your belts. Our standard procedure is to send matching belts, but if you are ordering for a machine that runs more than two at once, mention it when you call so we can pay extra attention.
How often do they need to be changed? How fast do you run? How many shifts? How abrasive is your product? How consistent are your set-ups? The answer varies between applications – generally folks who run typical paper products at 100PPM for 1 shift/day change belts twice/year. An improper set-up can destroy a belt in moments though. The best gauge isn’t the calendar, it is belt wear. A new belt arrives with roughly 6mm (approx 1/4”) of rubber coating. Generally by the time that has worn to 4mm, or 3/16”, the belts need to be changed to maintain consistent performance.
I have too many machines to keep track of. Won’t you just remind me? Certainly. We can support you in two ways. First, we can schedule a call or email to prompt you according to the interval you suggest. To make it even simpler, we can set-up automatic shipment of belts (and/or other parts or whole pm kit per your requirements) against a blanket PO at the interval you suggest. We’ll let you know they’re on the way so you can build the quick PM into your schedule knowing that you’ll have what you need. Call us at 978.471.5520 or email tech.service@fusion-concepts.com to discuss how we can set this up.
What does belt wear tell me about the set-up? Just like tires on an auto, uneven belt wear indicates improper adjustment of some sort. Understanding exactly the cause requires experience and we stand ready to advise you. The most common causes are over or under tensioning, improper stripper wheel adjustment and incorrectly positioned support rods.
I try to wait to change them because it seems like such a hassle. Sorry, you must be confusing us with the “other guys.” One of the neat features of Pfankuch feeders is the ease and speed of belt changeovers. If it takes more than about 10 minutes, we can help you dramatically speed it up. Give us a call.
As long as I am changing belts, are there other wear items to change at the same time? Again it depends on the specifics of your application. However as a rule of thumb, if you have time to work on the machine, we suggest changing several other parts at the same time as part of routine preventative maintenance. These include: stripper wheels, delivery belts, one way ratchet arm (at least grease the eccentric slot) and the gear belt. See below for our special offer.
Your belts are too wide (narrow, hard, soft, etc.) for my product. Have your found that the belts on your feeder have frustrated your efforts to run certain products? It may be entirely within the feeder’s ability, but you just need to draw on our wide range of feed belt options for trouble free performance. The vast majority of applications run best with our standard 29mm (1-1/8”) wide, Pfankuch blue, notched belts. Normally folks run with two belts, but wide or floppy products may require more. We offer belts with a smooth surface in the same width, as well as ½ width belts in both notched and smooth surface for applications of very narrow products (the normal belts, with roller flange width included, are for products at least 40mm wide), or when handling a very narrow channel on the product is indicated. For especially tricky products our HP belts are often the answer. Coated with silicon rather than the typical rubber, they offer splendid grip on individual pieces which are slippery, sensitive, or just done run optimally with the standard belts. Remember if you change belt width, you may need to change support curve and roller widths too.
Please call us at 888-661-2650, or email us at tech.service@fusion-concepts.com.