Timing belt maintenance
Timing belts are durable and require little maintenance. Nevertheless, it is also important here to pay attention to signs of wear.
These include:
Cracks in the belt often indicate overload or material fatigue
If the belt is misaligned, several possible causes usually apply.
A 3 step check is recommended to rule these out.
1. Check the conveyor system for bending or twisting of the aluminum profile or housing.
2. Check the belt tension (the belt may be loose).
3. Check the pulley or the tensioning and guide pulley for foreign material.
- Belt wanders to one side:
In most cases, a bent aluminum profile or housing is the cause of the belt wandering. However, an excessively uneven distribution of the load can also cause the belt to wander.
- Abrasion on the tooth flanks:
Abrasion on the tooth flanks is often caused by misalignment.
Unusual noises or vibrations are possible indicators of incorrect timing belt tension or damage to a component of the system. To avoid major damage, the damaged component should be replaced immediately and/or the tension of the timing belt should be corrected.
It is therefore important to carry out regular visual inspections for damage and wear, to clean to remove dirt and deposits, and to use sensors to continuously monitor tension and wear. Even in the absence of visible damage, timing belts should be replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations to avoid long-term damage.