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Troubleshooting
Synchronous Belts Systems
51
Troubleshooting
Synchronous Belts Systems
Legend
Primary Cause
Possible Cause
Could Cause But Not Likely
Types of Failure
Excessive
Edge Wear
Excessive
Tooth
Wear
Uneven
Tooth
Wear
Apparent
Belt
Stretch
Cracks in
Backing
Tooth
Shear
Tensile
Failure
Excessive
Drive
Noise
Tooth
Skipping
(Ratcheting)
Belt
Tracking
Excessive
Sprocket
Wear
Excessive
Drive
Vibration
Possible Cause of Failure
Belt Hitting Obstruction
Excessive Load
Belt Overtensioned
Belt Undertensioned
Rough or
Damaged Sprocket
Misalignment
Worn Sprocket
Sprocket Out
of Tolerance
Soft Sprocket Material
Debris in Sprocket
or Drive
Center Distance Changed
Weak Drive Structure
Excessive Low
Temperature
Excessive High
Temperature
Exposure to Oil,
Solvents, Chemicals
Sprocket Diameter
Sub Minimum
Back Side Idler
Shock Loading
Less than 6 Teeth in Mesh
Excessive Sprocket
Runout
Damage Due to Handling
Vibrating Bearings/
Mountings
Center Distance
Greater than 8x Small
Sprocket Diameter
Sprocket Not
Properly Balanced
Belt/Sprocket
Incompatible
continued on page 52