January 5 is the kickoff for the 2013 FIRST Robotics Competition and once again Gates will be providing belts and sprockets in the kit of parts. We encourage teams to gain experience with belt drives before the build season which is why Gates is currently accepting preseason orders. After the FRC kickoff Gates will be offering several belts and sprockets as part of our in-season ordering. Then, after the season is over scholarships will be available to Seniors whose robots contained at least one Gates belt.
Please email ptpasupport@gates.com for more information about preseason orders. If you need help selecting parts or want to find more information about Gates and FIRST go to www.Gates.com/FIRST. You can also go here http://thinktank.wpi.edu/article/199 to watch the Gates presentation shown at FRC Kickoff Workshops last year.
GATES BELTS, HOSES, AND APPLICATIONS
Monday, November 5, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
V-Belt Sheaves in High Humidity or Corrosive Environments
Many industrial applications face problems associated with rusting parts.
Numerous applications in the food and beverage industry are located
in areas that require periodic washdown. Unless a drive is completely
shielded and protected from wash down, rust and corrosion will be rapidly
apparent in these types of environments. This is equally true of sheaves
when used in very wet or humid environments, such as seen with air moving
drives on cooling towers or wood kilns. The constant effects of the wet
air surrounding the belt drive can cause excessive rust, and allow the belts
to slip.
Corrosion attacks sheave grooves, building up rust deposits. The
corrosion will increase over time, building up in the sheave grooves and
non-driving surfaces (bushing face). Sheaves with corrosion in the grooves
can rapidly wear the belt and wear through the abrasion resistant tooth
fabric, resulting in premature belt failure.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Troubleshooting Tips for the 507C Sonic Tension Meter
The Gates Sonic Tension Meter is an excellent tool for measuring belt tension. It is the most reliable and easiest to use electronic belt tension tool in the industry. Despite this, some explanations to a few reoccurring questions might be helpful to Sonic Tension Meter users.
2) Can’t Obtain A Belt Tension Reading. The green light illuminates during the tension reading process indicating the meter is receiving a signal from the sensor. If the green light does not illuminate, move the sensor closer to the vibrating belt span or pluck the belt span harder. The belt may also not be tight enough to generate a signal, so tightening the belt may help.
The meter may also be set in an inappropriate frequency range. The frequency range setting can be seen in the upper left corner of the screen. “L” = Low (10 - 50 hz); “S” = Standard (10 – 600 hz); “H” = High (500 – 5000 hz). The “S” or standard range is sufficient for the vast majority of readings. To change, hold the “0” or “Range” button down for 2 sec and press the “Up” and “Down” buttons. Save the selection by pressing “Measure” or by powering the meter off (press the “Power” button for 2 sec).
Lastly, standard microphone sensors cannot detect frequencies less than about 30 hz. Use the optional Inductive Sensor to read frequencies down to 10 hz. The Inductive Sensor is also very helpful in windy or noisy environments when microphone sensors do not deliver belt tension signals.
3) Meter Displays Tension In The Wrong Units. The Sonic Tension Meter can display belt tension in units of Newtons, Pounds and Kilograms. With the meter powered off, press “0” and “9” and “Power” buttons at the same time and the three unit options will appear. Then select a unit using the “Select” button and save by powering the meter off (press the “Power” button for 2 sec.).
4) Meter Displays “Error” When Taking Tension Readings. The “Error” message indicates that an error has been encountered in computing belt tension. The red light typically illuminates on the first reading, then the “Error” message is displayed on the third reading and the meter freezes. When this occurs, power the meter off and on and then confirm that the correct “Mass”, “Width” and “Span” constants are correct.
Note that non-zero register values are required to prevent errors in the internal meter computations from division by zero. Also note that non-zero register values are required even if using the meter in the frequency only mode. While the register values don’t have to be correct for belt span frequency readings, they can produce an “Error” message if the calculations overflow the meter display. If so, using correct constants will eliminate the “Error” message.
5) Battery Life Is Short. Fresh alkaline batteries should provide 20 to 24 hours of continuous meter operation. Rechargeable batteries are not recommended as the voltage output is less than the required 1.5 volts, so will not power the meter sufficiently. Because of this, the meter may indicate that non alkaline batteries are discharged prematurely.
If you have additional questions,feel free to email the Gates Product Application Engineering Group at ptpasupport@gates.com or call us at (303) 744-5800.
1) Don’t Know Whether The Readings Are Correct For the Belt Drive. The Sonic Tension Meter measures belt tension levels, but does not indicate if the readings are correct. Determine the correct belt tension levels using Design Flex Web / Design Flex Pro / or Design IQ drive design software. Drive design printouts provide recommended belt tension levels as well as all meter constants. All Gates drive design tools are available at www.gates.com/drivedesign.
2) Can’t Obtain A Belt Tension Reading. The green light illuminates during the tension reading process indicating the meter is receiving a signal from the sensor. If the green light does not illuminate, move the sensor closer to the vibrating belt span or pluck the belt span harder. The belt may also not be tight enough to generate a signal, so tightening the belt may help.
The meter may also be set in an inappropriate frequency range. The frequency range setting can be seen in the upper left corner of the screen. “L” = Low (10 - 50 hz); “S” = Standard (10 – 600 hz); “H” = High (500 – 5000 hz). The “S” or standard range is sufficient for the vast majority of readings. To change, hold the “0” or “Range” button down for 2 sec and press the “Up” and “Down” buttons. Save the selection by pressing “Measure” or by powering the meter off (press the “Power” button for 2 sec).
Lastly, standard microphone sensors cannot detect frequencies less than about 30 hz. Use the optional Inductive Sensor to read frequencies down to 10 hz. The Inductive Sensor is also very helpful in windy or noisy environments when microphone sensors do not deliver belt tension signals.
3) Meter Displays Tension In The Wrong Units. The Sonic Tension Meter can display belt tension in units of Newtons, Pounds and Kilograms. With the meter powered off, press “0” and “9” and “Power” buttons at the same time and the three unit options will appear. Then select a unit using the “Select” button and save by powering the meter off (press the “Power” button for 2 sec.).
4) Meter Displays “Error” When Taking Tension Readings. The “Error” message indicates that an error has been encountered in computing belt tension. The red light typically illuminates on the first reading, then the “Error” message is displayed on the third reading and the meter freezes. When this occurs, power the meter off and on and then confirm that the correct “Mass”, “Width” and “Span” constants are correct.
Note that non-zero register values are required to prevent errors in the internal meter computations from division by zero. Also note that non-zero register values are required even if using the meter in the frequency only mode. While the register values don’t have to be correct for belt span frequency readings, they can produce an “Error” message if the calculations overflow the meter display. If so, using correct constants will eliminate the “Error” message.
5) Battery Life Is Short. Fresh alkaline batteries should provide 20 to 24 hours of continuous meter operation. Rechargeable batteries are not recommended as the voltage output is less than the required 1.5 volts, so will not power the meter sufficiently. Because of this, the meter may indicate that non alkaline batteries are discharged prematurely.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Part Numbers for Poly Chain® GT® and PowerGrip® GT®2 Belts
The part numbers for Poly Chain® GT® and PowerGrip® GT®2 belts are very similar, which can sometimes lead to mix-ups. Here is an example to explain the subtle difference:
The Poly Chain part number 8MGT-640-12 identifies:
1-pitch (8 mm)
2-belt length (640 mm)
3-belt width (12 mm)
The PowerGrip part number 640-8MGT-12 identifies:
1-belt length (640 mm)
2-pitch (8 mm)
3-belt width (12 mm)
The two part numbers indicate the same belt dimensions. However, the Poly Chain part number will start with the pitch first and the PowerGrip part number will start with the length.
The Poly Chain part number 8MGT-640-12 identifies:
1-pitch (8 mm)
2-belt length (640 mm)
3-belt width (12 mm)
The PowerGrip part number 640-8MGT-12 identifies:
1-belt length (640 mm)
2-pitch (8 mm)
3-belt width (12 mm)
The two part numbers indicate the same belt dimensions. However, the Poly Chain part number will start with the pitch first and the PowerGrip part number will start with the length.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
What Design Flex® Pro™ Drive Noise Estimates Really Mean
Gates Design Flex® Pro™ software is the premier belt drive design software available, and can be downloaded for free at http://www.gates.com/designflex/. Of the wealth of information available on Design Flex Pro printouts, drive noise estimates for PowerGrip® GT®2 and Poly Chain® GT® Carbon belt drives are an option that can be included. It is important, though, to have a correct understanding of what these noise estimates actually represent.
While it is often assumed that the noise estimate represents the total environmental noise level with the belt drive operating, this is not the case. Noise emissions from all sources within an environment all combine for a total environmental noise level. Belt drives are only one of many sources of noise in specific environments.
It may also be assumed that the noise estimates represent the noise level that synchronous belt drives are expected to contribute to the total environmental noise level, and this is also not the case. The noise level generated by synchronous belt drive systems is dependent upon many factors including individual belt drive components, actual drive loading, the belt drive design including belt width, belt tension levels, drive alignment, possible reflection or echoing effects, the distance from the noise source and more. It is unfortunately not possible to consider the effects of so many factors in a simple noise estimate.
The calculation for belt drive noise estimates is really quite simple, as is their intended use. Individual drive noise estimates are intended to be compared with one another so the lowest noise options can be selected. Drive design options within Design Flex Pro can be sorted by decibels (dB) or frequency (hz) or a combination. This allows users to select drives with either the lowest sound pressure level (dB) or the lowest frequency or the lowest overall noise level.
While Gates belt drive noise estimates are not intended to represent environmental noise levels or actual noise levels generated by belt drive candidates, they do allow users to compare and select belt drives with the lowest noise levels expected. Selecting quiet drive candidates will reduce total environmental noise levels, and this is the ultimate objective in the end.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
What is Draftguard®?
Draftguard® is an anti-rotation device typically used to stop ACHE fans from rotating backwards. Reverse rotation can strain the motor system during start up and pose a safety hazard to maintenance workers; eliminating reverse rotation can improve safety and reduce maintenance.
While Draftguard has typically been applied to ACHE fans, it can be used in other applications to limit rotation to a single direction. Draftguard can be mounted to the following bushings:
Learn more about Gates' Draftguard anti-rotation solution at www.gates.com/draftguard/.
While Draftguard has typically been applied to ACHE fans, it can be used in other applications to limit rotation to a single direction. Draftguard can be mounted to the following bushings:
- 3020, 3525, 3535, and 4030 (TL style)
- E, F, and J (QD style)
Learn more about Gates' Draftguard anti-rotation solution at www.gates.com/draftguard/.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Gates MSDS (OSHA Form 20) for Belts
We are often asked to provide MSDS on our belt products; however, they have little value and don't apply.
It is Gates interpretation of the Hazard Communication Standards and Right to Know Laws that chemical manufacturers must assess the hazards of the chemicals they produce and inform persons who use their chemicals in manufacturing processes of the hazards associated with their use. The standards and laws furthermore do not apply to manufactured articles which do not cause exposure to hazardous chemicals under normal use.
The ingredients of the belts Gates sells are chemically bonded formulations of compounds and polymers which are not free to be given off to the environment as discernible substances or in hazardous quantities. Consequently they do not fall under MSDS intent and OSHA Form 20 is not required.
It is Gates interpretation of the Hazard Communication Standards and Right to Know Laws that chemical manufacturers must assess the hazards of the chemicals they produce and inform persons who use their chemicals in manufacturing processes of the hazards associated with their use. The standards and laws furthermore do not apply to manufactured articles which do not cause exposure to hazardous chemicals under normal use.
The ingredients of the belts Gates sells are chemically bonded formulations of compounds and polymers which are not free to be given off to the environment as discernible substances or in hazardous quantities. Consequently they do not fall under MSDS intent and OSHA Form 20 is not required.
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