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2015 Power Transmission Products
General Information
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Synchronous belts are very sensitive to misalignment. The
tension carrying member has a high tensile strength and
resistance to elongation, resulting in a very stable belt product.
Any misalignment will lead to inconsistent belt wear, uneven
load distribution and premature tensile failure. In general,
synchronous drives should not be used where misalignment
is a problem. Misalignment should be limited to 1⁄4 degree or
1⁄16 inch per foot of center distance.
Any degree of misalignment will reduce belt life and cause
edge wear. Therefore, a straightedge should be used to check
proper alignment verifying that sprockets and shafts are
parallel, as in Figure C.
Misalignment, at times, may cause tracking problems. Although
some tracking is normal and will not affect belt performance,
it may be caused by poorly aligned sprockets. Flanges may
control a tracking problem. Considering a two-sprocket drive,
belt contact on a single flange is acceptable. Belt contact with
the opposite flanges of two sprockets should be avoided.
With parallel shafts, misalignment occurs when there is an
offset between the sprocket faces as in Figure A. Misalignment
also occurs when the shafts are not parallel as in Figure B.
Correct alignment
A straightedge should touch the sprocket at the four points
indicated. Both front and back alignments should be checked.
Laser alignment tool
Continental ContiTech Laser Alignment Tool provides an
alternative to checking alignment with a straightedge. Each
laser alignment tool comes with a rugged carrying case and
detailed instructions to get you started with the quickest,
easiest and most versatile alignment tool on the market today.
Misalignment can also be attributed to the improper installation
of a bushing or loose drive framework. Refer to sprocket
manufacture guidelines for proper bushing installation.
Secure motor and framework to eliminate vibration on
center-to-center fluctuations.
Technical Information
Drive alignment
Misaligned
Aligned
General Information
Automotive & Truck
Specialty
Bushing Hardware
V-Belt
Banded
Synchronous
Overview