New Drive Label Option In Design Flex Pro Software

Design Flex Pro is the most powerful belt drive design software available in the industry.  It is widely used and is full of useful features.  Drive Detail Reports are well organized and contain a great deal of useful information for designers as well as technicians installing belt drive systems.

The new version 3.10 includes a couple of added features that users will find very helpful: 

• Bushing bolt torque values for bushing installation have been added to Drive Detail Reports.
• A new drive label feature has been added as an output option on the Drive Detail Report screen.

The drive label feature allows users to output a .jpg file containing a summary of the selected drive system including belt  / sprocket / bushing part and product numbers as well as detailed belt tensioning values for force/deflection and Sonic Tension Meter measurements.  This .jpg file can be printed or imported into user documentation.  A Drive Label example can be seen below:

Paper printouts of the label can be affixed to the equipment for ready reference by technicians.  Component part and product numbers are available for re-ordering, and belt tension recommendations are available for belt installations.

When printing the .jpg label files, select the landscape mode for a full page printout.  Install dates should be added via. pen rather than computer at this point to prevent printing issues.

The Quick Response code on the label will direct smart phones to the www.gates.com/drivedesign site where users will find ready access to Gates drive design tools and technical resources.

Be sure to download and install or update to Design Flex Pro version 3.10 to gain access to these new program features.  Design Flex Pro just became even better!  For additional information contact Gates Product Application Engineering at ptpasupport@gates.com or 303-744-5800.

PolyChain® GT® Sprocket Profiles

Sprocket profile information for 8mm and 14mm pitch PolyChain® GT® is available for purchase from Gates via the following link:


http://www.gatesstore.com/Gates_Synchronous_Sprocket_Templates


Items available for order include:

• 8mm and 14mm master transparencies for inspection
• 8mm and 14mm sprocket specification books that cover dimensions, tolerances, inspection procedure, etc.

For other types of sprocket profiles, please contact Application Engineering for availability:
ptpasupport@gates.com

Storage Effects on Belts

Gates Belts may be stored up to six years if properly stored at temperatures less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity less than 70%.

For every 15 degrees Fahrenheit increase in storage temperature above the 85 degrees Fahrenheit recommended value, the time the belt can be stored without reduced performance decreases by one-half.  it should be noted that belts should never be stored at temperatures above 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

At relative humidity levels above 70%, fungus or mildew may form on stored belts.  This has minimal effect on belt performance, but should be avoided if possible.

When equipment is stored for longer than 6 months, the belt tension should be relaxed so that the belt does not take a set.  In addition, the storage environment should meet the 85 degrees Fahrenheit and 70% or less relative humidity condition.  If this is not possible, the belts should be removed and stored separately in a proper environment.

For any additional questions feel free to look through our other blog topics or contact us at ptpasupport@gates.com or 303-744-5800.

508C Sonic Tension Meter

The Gates model 507C Sonic Tension Meter (product number 7420-0507) was recently replaced with the 508C Sonic Tension Meter (7420-0508). It is easy to identify the 508C model due to the green keypad, where the 507C model has a white keypad. The newer model works the same as the older model, and even uses the same attachments. The flat flexible sensor (7420-0205), inductive sensor (7420-0212), and cord sensor (7420-0206) will work with both Sonic Tension Meter models. The only two functional differences are the 508C does not have a low frequency filter, and the 508C has 40 data storage registers, where the 507C only has 20. Data storage registers are save slots that allow you to store mass, width, and span constants for specific applications. For more information about either model please click here.

 

S is for Size

An effective way to remember this hose selection criterion is to remember the word STAMPED. S T A M P E D: S = Size T = Temperature A = Application M = Material to be Conveyed P = Pressure E = Ends or couplings D = Delivery (volume). The inside diameter of the hose must be adequate to keep pressure loss to a minimum and avoid damage to the hose due to heat generation by excessive turbulence. To determine the replacement hose size, read the layline printing on the side of the original hose. If the original hose layline is painted over or worn off, the original hose must be cut and inside diameter measured for size. NOTE: Before cutting an original hose assembly, measure the overall assembly length and coupling orientation. This measurement will be required to build the replacement assembly or match the hose I.D. to the port size. Hose O.D. should not be used to identify the I.D. of the hose. Different hose constructions will vary with the wall thickness and O.D. The hydraulics industry has adopted a measuring system called Dash Numbers to indicate hose and coupling size. The number which precedes the hose or coupling description is the dash size. This industry standard number denotes hose I.D. in sixteenths of an inch (the exceptions are the SAE100R5, SAE100R14, and refrigerant hoses, where dash sizes denote hose I.D. compared to equivalent tube O.D.).

MegaCrimp and GlobalSpiral Couplings

Gates has several lines of couplings. Two of the most popular/most used are the MegaCrimp line used on Gates' medium pressure braided hydraulic hoses and the GlobalSpiral line used on Gates' high pressure spiral hydraulic hoses. MegaCrimp couplings have a patented "C" insert, attached to the ferrule, that accommodates hose of different constructions and wall thicknesses. The insert's design ensures crimping forces are evenly distributed to form a concentric seal. The "C" insert simplifies inventory requirements since one MegaCrimp coupling size can accommodate various hose outside diameters, on both one and two wire braid hydraulic hose. The key features for MegaCrimp couplings are their low profile, the "bite the wire" crimp, full stem insertion, full length crimp, 3x SAE requirements for standard impuse cycles, and TuffCoat plating for corrosion resistance. GlobalSpiral couplings are specifically engineered to provide superior performance for extreme high pressure, high impulse spiral wire hydraulic hose applications. They can be used with all Gates MegaSys four and six spiral wire hose up to 8,000 psi. The two piece, no skive design reduces assembly time, labor, fabrication errors and contamination of the fluid power system. The work area stays clean, and the odors and dust normally created by skiving are eliminated. In addition, the two piece design reduces parts inventory by 30 percent because only one stem is required for all spiral wire hose types. The key features for GlobalSpiral couplings are the "bite the wire" crimp, the availability of over 30 thread configurations, and 2x SAE requirements for impulse cycles at 250 degrees F.