The Advantages of Elastic Poly-V Belts

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Poly-V Belts Explained

While standard poly-V (PV) belts typically feature a polyester cord tensile member, elastic belts are unique in that they feature a polyamide cord, which gives the belt elastic properties. This stretch can be extremely useful in high volume applications requiring improved reliability with lower overall drive cost.

Elastic Belt Construction

PV Belt Construction

Rubber Construction: 1. Belt Body, 2. Adhesion Cushion, 3. Tension Members, 4. Belt Back

Elastic belts are constructed in largely the same way as any other standard PV belt, differentiated mainly by their cord material: elastic nylon (polyamide). However,  the difference in cord material is not visible to the naked eye, but sometimes branding is included on the belt itself to indicate the material of construction.

Made of rubber or urethane, these belts allow for a certain amount of stretch but, PV elastic belts don’t stretch as a rubber band does; their elongation capability is generally less than 4%.

Elastic Belt Structure

Featuring an elastic nylon cord, these belts are each engineered for a specific drive according to the power characteristics of the machine. Commonly provided in rubber H and J pitches, as well as polyurethane H, J, and TB2 pitches, the belts feature high flexibility and offer the benefit of a smaller wrap angle on the drive pulley.

Elastic Belt Benefits

elastic pv belt elongationSince elastic PV belts can be stretched onto a drive and automatically adjust to correct tension upon installation, they offer a wide range of benefits for various applications.

Firstly, these belts are specifically designed for operation on a fixed center distance application, eliminating the need for tension idlers and slide adjustment.

The drive’s fixed center distance also allows for easy automation and robotic installation. For driver pulleys, a smaller wrap angle can be used.

Elastic belts act as damping springs, they’re capable of absorbing temporary overloads with minimal noise and vibration ensuring quiet, smooth operation.

Because these belts don’t require tensioning devices, fewer quality issues arise due to incorrect belt tension. This helps cut down on labor, as workers aren’t required to have the skills necessary to apply correct tension during the assembly process; the need for manual installation labor can be eliminated through the use of robotic installation methods. All of these features allow for lower overall costs.

Elastic Belts – Advantages

  • Elimination of the need for tensioning devices
  • Easy installation
  • Cost reduction through lower “overall” drive cost
  • Smooth, quiet operation
  • Absorption of overloads and intermittent loads
  • Reduced maintenance and labor needs
  • Mounting installation without requiring pulley removal
  • Are used with standard pulleys
  • Eliminates tension errors in the installation process

Elastic Belts – Disadvantages

Although poly-V elastic belts offer a wide range of benefits, they’re not without their drawbacks.

  • Not intended for high-power applications (> 2-3 kW)
  • Can only be used on the drive for which it is designed
  • Non-Stock – made to order

Common Applications

Poly-V elastic belts are often used in the following applications:

  • Washing machines and dryers
  • Small appliances such as food processors (In these applications, polyurethane is ideal for optimal cleanliness)
  • Exercise equipment
  • Any application necessitating elimination of idlers

Learn More

Megadyne America offers elastic multi-V belts in both rubber and polyurethane, with several pitches available to suit your specific needs.  Want to learn more about our PV belting capabilities or discuss your next belting project? Contact us today to speak with one of our experts.

Megadyne Belt Corp. to Attend PACK EXPO 2017

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The team at Megadyne is thrilled to announce that we’ll be attending this year’s PACK EXPO in Las Vegas to showcase a variety of new products at Booth 5973 in the South Lower Building. Megadyne Belt Corporation, a global leader in specialty belting manufacture and fabrication and Megadyne Sampla, offering a full range of PU and PVC conveyor belts and fabrication will all be in attendance. To secure a complimentary registration for the tradeshow, use the code 84P39 to register.

About the Tradeshow

This annual event is sponsored by PMMI, the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, which represents more than 800 North American manufacturers and suppliers of packaging and processing equipment, components, and materials.

Pack Expo Logo

Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Monday, Sept. 25 to Wednesday, Sept. 27, PACK EXPO brings together industry leaders in packaging and processing across a range of industries. Highlighting products in the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, automotive, electronic, and other fields, the tradeshow gives attendees access to displays from big-name companies such as 3M, Unilever, General Mills, and the Coca-Cola Company. Offering a wide range of networking opportunities, educational seminars and panels, and product showcases, the show draws project managers, engineers, production supervisors, operations personnel, package designers, and marketers.

With more than 30,000 attendees and over 2,000 industry-leading suppliers, PACK EXPO provides a unique showcase for packaging equipment, materials, containers, and automation technologies while discussing innovations, developments, and trends. In addition to in-booth demos and various seminars, training sessions will also be available for engineering students.

Megadyne’s Belting Showcase

Food-Contact Belts

Megadyne will be at booth 5973 in the South Lower Hall showcasing our new Food Contact (FC) Megalinear and Megapower belts, both designed for synchronous handling in packaging applications. These belts provide several benefits for food processing and packaging applications. Additionally, Megadyne Sampla will present its expanded line of food grade conveyor belts and general conveying belts. All Megadyne belts presented offer:

  • Water, oil, and chemical resistance
  • Food contact-approved material composition, in accordance with European regulations 1935/2004, 10/2011, and 174/2015
  • Our timing belts offer no risk of slippage
  • Easy-to-clean, smooth surface

Covered Belts

We’ll also be showcasing our covered belts in both endless and joined styles. Featuring traditional conveyor surface structures, these products combine the traditional surface structure of a conveyor belt with elements of the timing belt, thus providing an enhanced frictional benefit on the conveying surface of our synchronized base belts. Covers are available in polyurethane, PVC- smooth and with impressions, and Durataq rubber, among other materials that can be customized to meet specific client requirements, such as high or low friction and smooth or impression surfaces.

Cleated Belts

Cleated BeltsNew from Megadyne in America is our cleat manufacturing and fabrication capabilities. Starting with either state-of-the-art CNC equipment or injection molding equipment, we can produce any cleat profile requested by clients to assist in moving or separating product conveyed. All cleats are made using highly resistant thermoplastic polyurethane, and all profiles are attached using our high vibration or radiant heating systems

Progressive Pin Joint (PPJ)

Our PPJ joining system allows for the joining of belts directly on the machine, resulting in:

  • Fast, easy belt replacement
  • Reduced downtime

Our PPJ product can be installed on smooth back and surface impression covered  belts as well as cleated belts.

False Tooth System

Urethan Progressive Pin Joint Belt

For cleats that cannot be welded to polyurethane timing belts, we offer a false tooth system for mechanical profile attachment that provides the following benefits:

  • Reduced assembly costs
  • Easy cleat repair and maintenance
  • Ability to use various cleat materials
  • No need to remove the belt in case of cleats replacement
  • Low spare parts cost
  • Quick, simple exchange/repositioning of individually designed cleats

Learn More

Megadyne is looking forward to showcasing its diverse range of packaging belt solutions, and we hope to see you there! Members of our team will be on hand to discuss specific projects and field any questions you may have. Contact us today to learn more about the event or any of the products listed above, and use code 84P39 to register for PACK EXPO here, and don’t forget to stop by booth 5973 in the South Lower Building.