Polyurethane Belt

The primary goal for polyurethane belt maintenance program is to make sure all belts are installed properly and are running every motor at peak efficiency. The other goal is to do everything possible to extend the life of your polyurethane belts.

To get started, you'll need to conduct an audit of every motor in the facility, their location and purpose. Then look at each for some basic problems. First, make sure all of the right belts are installed. It may sound simple, but if it was ever common practice at your plant to replace belts with anything available, this is an immediate fix you can easily identify. When conducting your initial assessment, make sure every motor has the right belt installed for that application. Also check to make sure pulleys are in alignment and all belts are properly tensioned.

Common operating problems for belt-driven equipment include improper tension and alignment. The worn sheaves that result from these problems will reduce system efficiency, while adding to maintenance costs. When installed properly, polyurethane beltdrives can run at a peak efficiency of 95% or higher, but efficiency can deteriorate by as much as 5% due to slippage if the belt is not periodically checked.

If a belt is not tensioned properly, or is too loose or too tight, it can lead to inefficient power transmission, belt wear, belt failure and sometimes even premature motor failure. A polyurethane beltthat is over-tensioned can reduce the bearing life of the motor and is one of the leading causes of polyurethane beltfailure. To combat tensioning problems, your maintenance shop should stock an arsenal of tools including a polyurethane belttension checker to measure polyurethane beltdeflection and tension and a belt frequency meter to find the natural vibration frequency of a belt strand so you can closely monitor belt tension. The device also calculates the corresponding belt tension.

Safety should be the top priority when installing, maintaining or replacing polyurethane belts on electric motor drives. There is always the potential for injuries from sharp objects, extreme temperatures, high-speed abrasions, pinch points, confined spaces, unexpected movement and blunt-force injuries from excessive force or uncontrolled release of belt tension. Other hazards include unbalanced loads, airborne objects, inadequately secured pulleys and loose bushings and screws. You can avoid some of these hazards in well-organized, well-lit work area with little clutter. Before doing any inspection or maintenance on belt drives, turn equipment off and lock out the power source.

Before replacing polyurethane belts, first confirm that the replacements are the correct size and the belt is the right match for the application. Belts to be installed on the same motor should be from the same manufacturer. Belts from different manufacturers may vary, with different stretch characteristics and coefficients of friction. Overloading will cause rapid wear and reduced belt life.