A lot of times you get a new belt in, get it installed, and get the machine back up and running just to find that the belt is not performing properly or that there are tracking issues with the belt. These issues tend to lead to belts breaking early and more costly down time when it comes to the machines. Here are six of the main causes of this so that your machines can stay running longer
Reason 1: The belt is not on the path with the drawing in the maintenance manual or what the O.E.M recommends
Now this can mean one of two things. First off, the belts could be installed around the wrong pulleys. Second off, the arc of contact of the belt and pulley could not be in line with what is specified by the O.E.M.
Solution: Either attach the belt around the correct pulley by double checking the drawings in the maintenance manuals. Any problems with the arch of contact will require one to fill out a maintenance request with the O.E.M.
Reason 2: The belt width is not supported by the pulleys
This could be due to incorrect measurements of the pulleys. Pulleys have specific dimensions designed by the O.E.M. The manufacturer uses these dimensions due to the set-up of the power transmission or, in this case, the materials going through the folder gluer. These specific dimensions of the pulley drive the width of the belt needed.
Solution: The first step is to measure the pulleys and make sure they are what is specified by the O.E.M. From here measure the pulley width and pitch length and specify this when ordering a belt. If the pulley width is not appropriate for conveying, order new pulley from the O.E.M.
Reason 3: The pulleys are not clean
Folder gluers can get messy due to the fact that they; are in a warehouse, a lot of carboard is going through at high rates, and glue is being used in the machines. All of the glue, dust, cardboard, and other materials can get on the pulleys and cause them to malfunction.
Solution: Always clean the pulleys before installing a new belt. Never use cleaners that are harmful to the belt or humans.
Reason 4: The belt touches the machine frame
This is due to a common form of belt deflection called shaking. This where the belt deflects to the pulley axis instead of perpendicularly to the axis. When the belt deflects perpendicularly to the axis, this is called waving.
Solution: To fix this, you make sure that the belt is not too long for the pulleys, the belt does not have camber/kinks, and that the tension is appropriate.
Reason 5: The pulleys are not properly aligned
A telltale sign that this is the case is when the belt gets out of the flanged pulleys or runs on the flange when the machine is started. This issue will also cause the belt to come off the pulleys even when loads are low.
Solution: Check the pulley parallelism and align the pulleys per the O.E.M’s recommendations.
Reason 6: An Issue with the automatic tensioners
Some folder gluers have automatic tensioners in them. Whenever this is the case, you have to ask yourself “is the tensioner set to its maximum position or is movement still possible?” The tensioner should always have more room to go further down and add more tension. If the belt is too long, additional movement will not be possible and you need to make sure that the tension is appropriate for the belt and pulley.
Solution: Always make sure to specify the pitch length when ordering a belt. Besides this, make sure that the automatic tensioners are working. For example, If the tensioner is air driven, make sure that it is getting correct air supply. Also, when it comes to tensioners, make sure that the pulleys are not stuck.