It's hard to believe, but Synchroflex steel reinforced timing belts have
been in production since 1951. Of course, there have been some changes
over the years, including different tooth forms and improved power
handling capacity, the latter being embodied in landmark product
developments such as the 'T', 'AT' and 'ATP' (Advanced Torque and Power)
ranges.
Recently launched in the UK is the very latest Synchroflex offering,
called Generation III, which will be of interest to all those power
transmission designers who want substantially more power handling
capacity without having to increase belt or pulley sizes - and that's
just about all of you! According to Synchroflex UK supplier, Transmission
Developments, Generation III will give you more than 25% extra power
handling capability without any change in belt size. So, how is it done?
In material terms, the new belt is made from a harder grade of
polyurethane, for better wear resistance, and the steel tension members
are more closely packed to provide greater tensile strength. The tracking
performance has also been improved by the use of bifilar steel cord
tension members and balanced left- and right-hand cord twist
construction. Moreover, with the harder material grade, up to 30% more
meshing teeth can be incorporated into the drive design to distribute the
loads more effectively, achieving even greater power handling capacity.
As an example, a 25mm wide AT10 belt would be needed for a 10.2kW drive
running at 1,400rpm. If this belt were substituted by a new Generation
III AT10, then the belt size could be reduced to 15mm for the same drive.
Looking at it from a power handling perspective, and basing the
comparison on a 25mm belt, the AT10 would be capable of handling the
10.2kW drive as in the previous case, but an AT10 Generation III belt
would be capable of handling a drive of up to 16.8kW. In other words, you
can increase your system's power capability without changing any pulleys.