TwenteFlex conveyor belts technical information

Drive

The width of all sprockets is 50 mm for sprockets with two bosses and 31 mm for sprockets with one boss. Sprockets should be placed in the links at both belt edges at the drive shaft only.

Standard drive sprocket materials are:

Ultra High Density Poly Ethylene (-60° to +60° Celsius)
PA6G (Nylon) (-60° to +60° Celsius)
Stainless Steel

Idler shafts can be fitted with flanged and support rollers. Support rollers should be placed on all shafts every 250 to 300 mm to minimize bending of the cross rods.

Drive sprockets and idler rollers should be placed in such a way that the belt is lifted from the belt support rail by 1 or 2 mm. If the wheels are placed lower than the support rails the belt is pulled into the support rail which can result in excessive wear on belt and support rails, increased belt tension, tracking problems etcetera.

TBU 30 Drive Sprockets – Pitch 30 mm

Number of teeth	Pitch circle diameter (in mm)	Hub diameter (in mm)	Outside diameter (in mm)	Support roll diameter (in mm)	Flange roll diameter (in mm)
12	117,1	100,1	125,1	103,9	100,1
16	155,4	139,4	164,4	143,2	139,4
22	203,4	188,1	213,1	191,9	188,1

TBU 40 Drive Sprockets – Pitch 40 mm

Number of teeth	Pitch circle diameter (in mm)	Hub diameter (in mm)	Outside diameter (in mm)	Support roll diameter (in mm)	Flange roll diameter (in mm)
12	155,6	135,3	164,3	140,1	135,3
16	206,4	187,4	216,4	192,3	187,4
22	270,1	252,1	281,1	256,9	252,1

Curved conveyor guidelines

TwenteFlex belts are developed to obtain optimum contact between belt edge and inner guide rail. The innovative bended rod design eliminates breakage of rod and button head due to welding. The elimination of welding ensures full material quality and belt strength.

Image featuring TwenteFlex curved conveyor

Design guidelines

Outfeed after curve, drive section:

Minimal 1.5 x belt width

Infeed before curve:

Minimal 1.0 x belt width

Straight between two opposite curves:

Minimal 2.0 x belt width

TwenteFlex TBU 30

Recommended drive sprockets:

12 teeth (PCD = 117.1 mm)

Minimal drive sprocket:

9 teeth (PCD = 88.6 mm)

Minimal idler diameter:

80 mm

Minimal inside radius:

1.7 x belt width

TwenteFlex TBU 40

Recommended drive sprockets:

12 teeth (PCD = 155.0 mm)

Minimal drive sprocket:

9 teeth (PCD = 117.3 mm)

Minimal idler diameter:

100 mm

Minimal inside radius:

1.6 x belt width

Belt support

Advised guide rail and belt support material is Ultra High Density Poly Ethylene (PE-1000) for applications where the rails will not be exposed to temperatures over 80 degrees Celcius.
Belt support rails should be placed at least every 300 to 400 mm depending on the belt load.

General recommendations

Provide a take-up area after the drive section to absorb temperature and wear length differences
It is recommended to keep the belt speed under 15 m/min if possible Although it is possible to run faster, be aware that higher speeds will reduce the life time of the belt, drive sprockets and support rails due to wear, especially in dry environments.
Use flanged rollers on all shafts other than the drive shaft
Mount support rollers on all shafts at least every 250 to 300 mm
Provide a slot in the conveyor design for easy assembling/disassembling of the connector rod.
Provide a hold down rail at the outside belt edge to prevent the belt from flipping up.
Due to the design of this belt there is a possiblity that links can lock themselves in a tented position while pulling the belt. This situation can only happen when links are bent in collapsed condition. Please check the complete belt after fitting it and remove any such tents before operating the belt. This tenting of links can not occur in operation condition because links are always extended when bent around rollers.

Technical recommendations and fitting instructions

Installation and commissioning of belts

Installing a belt properly is essential in ensuring a good performance of a conveyor system. Making sure that your belt will be used to its full extent, Twentebelt can install the belt, and / or assist your team in installing it. Twentebelt also offers the commissioning of belts as a service.

Click here to request more information about our services

General remarks

System design

Let the belt follow its desired path as much as possible
Minimize the use of guide plates to track the belt
Avoid long in- and outfeed sections
Make sure that the belt transition from one belt to the next is smooth

Take-up

The take-up must be able to absorb 1% of the total belt length
Minimize added weights in the take-up as much as possible

Cage overdrive

In most applications it is recommended to have a cage overdrive setting of approximately 800 to 1200 mm per tier revolution faster than the belt (measured between the cage and the inside belt edge). Increasing the cage overdrive will decrease the belt tension and increase the possibility of the belt surging.

The optimal overdrive setting is reached just before the belt starts surging, making sure the belt can be pulled from the cage by hand force at least 1 to 2 centimeters.

Operation

Clean the belt and supports regularly to avoid high belt tensions due to an increased friction caused by product contamination. Prevent excessive ice build-up in freezers.

Belt support rails

There must be at least 50 mm free space between the drum and the inner support rails at all times to prevent the links being crushed between them. The advised distance between the support rail and the belt edges is 60 to 90 mm. In general, the advised number of support rails is as follows:

Belt width (in mm)	Number of supports
≤ 610	2
611 - 1016	3
1017 ≥	4

The common used belt support material is PE-1000 or PE-500 High Density Poly Ethylene. Other materials are possible depending on the application. The advised width of the support rail is 15 mm. Smaller widths of the rail could increase movement of the spiral overlay. Widths smaller than 10 mm are therefore not recommended. The side of the support rail must be rounded.

Cage / Drum bars

In order to obtain a smooth drive it is recommended to use cage bars that are 45 to 60 mm wide with a flat drive surface and a 3×3 chamfer spaced apart approximately 120 mm. At temperatures below 60° Celsius the recommended material is PE-1000. For applications with temperatures over 60° Celsius stainless steel cage bars or a full stainless steel cage can be used. If stainless steel is used for cage drive surface, the overdrive can be decreased to 400 to 600 mm due to the increased friction coefficient. Keep in mind the belt edge will wear more quickly on a stainless steel cage surface.

It is recommended that the cage bars are covering at least 20% of the cage.

Wider cage bars spread out the total generated friction drive force over more cross rods which decreases the force per cross rod directed to the cage middle and thus decreases the bending of the cross rod. Reducing the bending of the cross rods will optimize the drive generated by the friction between belt and cage bars. The energy needed to bend the rodscan not be converted into drive force. Because the cage moves faster than the belt, the cross rods are exposed to cyclic loading each time the cross rod passes a cage bar. Reducing cross rod bending will extend belt life and create a smoother belt run.

It is recommended to maximize the width and number of cage bar strips on the cage as much as possible, especially when running spiral systems with high loads.

The use of rounded cage bars can result in undesired movement of the inside links. Depending on the radius of the cage bars it is possible that only one cross rod is in contact with a cage bar. This can cause sudden undesired movement of this rod when it passes the top of the cage bar radius. A flat drive surface almost equals the cage radius. It is recommended to select a cage bar that is wide enough to drive at least two collapsed cross rods. Below is a picture with two cage bar designs. The cage bar design on the left is recommended, while the design on the right is not preferred.

Photo featuring TwenteFlex conveyor belts cagebar

Fitting the belt

When replacing the old belt with a different pitched belt, the pitch circle diameter of the drive sprockets may be different. Be aware that this changes the belt speed and thus the overdrive of the cage. If the new sprocket is smaller in diameter make sure that the belt is not pulled into the belt support rails. When replacing an old belt it is recommended to re-new the cage bars, belt support rails and sprockets / rollers.

Instructions:

Select an accessible and handy place on the spiral to feed in the new belt
If present: connect the new belt to the old belt and pull in the new belt carefully
Weld the connector rods properly (including inside welds) — please see ‘Connector rod’ below for further reference
Check if the new belt will pass the system with enough clearance. Pay special attention to the hold down strips the inside belt support and take-up area.
Check if the drive sprockets engage the links of the new belt properly. Please note that it may be necessary to reposition the sprockets on the drive shaft.
Check if the belt runs over all idler rollers properly
Make sure that the belt transition from one belt support section to the next is smooth
Minimize added weights in the take-up as much as possible
Check if there is enough space between the cage and the inside belt support for the link to run properly
Check throughout the whole system if there are any possible catch points
After fitting the new belt check if the overdrive settings need to be adjusted in regards to the new situation
Check if the product dwell time has changed and make adjustments when needed

Due to the design of this belt there is a possibility that links can lock themselves in a tented position while pulling in the belt. Please check the complete belt after fitting it and remove any such tents before operating the belt. This tenting of links can not occur in operating conditions because links are always extended when bent around rollers.

Splicing or shortening

When the belt has to be spliced together it is recommended to use a supplied connector rod. This rod is bent at one end and can be secured with a nut at the opposite end.

If possible: insert the rod from the side that will be running against the cage. This creates a continuous edge without the risk of sharp welds damaging the cage bars
Tighten the nut making sure belt still collapses properly
Make sure both blinks are flat / parallel to each other before welding
Weld the nut to the rod making sure the rod end is smooth
Make sure the bent side of the rod is inserted in the middle hole of the link as afar as possible
Weld the inside legs of both links to the cross rod The inside welds are preferably small welds that do not compromise the rod or link strength

Shortening the belt

Use a grinding tool or cutter to carefully cut the cross rod at both belt edges in the space between the inner legs of two links
Remove the pieces of cross rod from the links
Remove the cross rod
Preferably remove or add an even number of pitches at a time

Specifications and datasheets

	Belt type	Material	Pitch	Lateral pitch	Cross rod diameter	Wire mesh diameter	Inside turn radius	Sprockets
TwenteFlex Full Metal	TBU 30	Stainless Steel	30 mm	Ranging from 4.2 to 16.9 mm	5	1.2. mm, 1,4 mm or 1.6 mm	Ranging from 1.7 to 2.2 times the belt width	With 12, 16 or 21 teeth
	TBU 40	Stainless Steel	40 mm	Ranging from 4.2 to 16.9 mm	6	1.2. mm, 1,4 mm or 1.6 mm	Ranging from 1.6 to 2.2 times the belt width	With 12, 16 or 21 teeth
TwenteFlex Hybrid	TBU 40P	Stainless Steel and Acetal (POM)	40 mm	Ranging from 16,9 mm to 53% of the open area	6	Not applicable	Ranging from 1.6 to 2.2 times the belt width	With 12, 16 or 21 teeth

Belt pitch:

30 mm (1.18 inch)

Cross rod diameter:

5 mm (0.197 inch)

Inside turn radius:

1.7 – 2.2 x belt width

Overall belt width:

300 -1100 mm (12 – 43 inch)

Materials:

AISI 304 (standard) and AISI 316

Belt strength in turns:

90 kg (200 lbs)

Belt strength on straights:

180 kg (400 lbs)

Available spiral wire diameters:

1,2 mm (18 ga) – 1,4 mm (17 ga) – 1,6 (16 ga)

Available lateral pitch spiral wire:

4,2 mm (72 loops / foot) – 4,6 mm (66 loops / foot) – 5,1 mm (60 loops / foot) – 5,6 mm (54 loops / foot) – 6,4 mm (48 loops / foot) – 7,3 mm (42 loops / foot) – 8,5 mm (36 loops / foot) – 10,2 mm (30 loops / foot) – 12,7 mm (24 loops / foot) – 16,9 mm (18 loops / foot)

Link height:

13 mm (0.51 inch)

Link thickness:

3 mm (0.12 inch)

Link width:

33 mm (1.3 inch)

C-C links:

Belt width – 47 mm (1.85 inch)

Useful belt width between links:

Belt width – 78 mm (3.1 inch)

Available link types:

Standard, no guard edge

12 mm integral guard edge (0.5 inch above belt surface)

25 mm integral guard edge (1 inch above belt surface)

Available sprocket sizes:

12, 16 or 21 teeth

Example of type designation:

TBU 12.7 – 30 – 1.6 – 5 / R2.2 (see image below)

Lateral pitch spiral wire: 12.7

Pitch: 30

Spiral wire diameter: 1.6

Cross rod diameter: 5

Inside turn radius: R2.2

Image featuring example configuration TwenteFlex TBU-30

Belt pitch:

40 mm (1.57 inch)

Cross rod diameter:

6 mm (0.236 inch)

Inside turn radius:

1.6 – 2.2 x belt width

Overall belt width:

400 -1400 mm (16 – 55 inch)

Materials:

AISI 304 (standard) and AISI 316

Belt strength in turns:

180 kg (400 lbs)

Belt strength on straights:

360 kg (800 lbs)

Available spiral wire diameters:

1,4 mm (17 ga) – 1,6mm (16 ga) – 1,8 (15 ga)

Available lateral pitch spiral wire:

4,2 mm (72 loops / foot) – 4,6 mm (66 loops / foot) – 5,1 mm (60 loops / foot) – 5,6 mm (54 loops / foot) – 6,4 mm (48 loops / foot) – 7,3 mm (42 loops / foot) – 8,5 mm (36 loops / foot) – 10,2 mm (30 loops / foot) – 12,7 mm (24 loops / foot) – 16,9 mm (18 loops / foot)

Link height:

15 mm (0.59 inch)

Link thickness:

3 mm (0.12 inch)

Link width:

35 mm (1.37 inch)

C-C links:

Belt width – 55 mm (2.16 inch)

Useful belt width between links:

Belt width – 90 mm (3.54 inch)

Available link types:

Standard, no guard edge

12 mm integral guard edge (0.5 inch above belt surface]

25 mm integral guard edge (1 inch above belt surface)

Available sprocket sizes:

12, 16 or 21 teeth

Example of type designation:

TBU 12.7 – 40 – 1.6 – 6 / R2.2 (see image below)

Lateral pitch spiral wire: 12.7

Pitch: 40

Spiral wire diameter: 1.6

Cross rod diameter: 6

Inside turn radius: R2.2

Image featuring example configuration TwenteFlex TBU-40

Belt pitch:

40 mm (1.57 inch)

Cross rod diameter:

6 mm (0.236 inch)

Inside turn radius:

1.6 – 2.2 x belt width

Overall belt width:

400 -1400 mm (16 – 55 inch)

Materials:

AISI 304 (standard) / Acetal modules (POM) and AISI 316 / Acetal modules (POM)

Belt strength in turns:

180 kg (400 lbs)

Belt strength on straights:

360 kg (800 lbs)

Overlay:

Acetal (POM) modules

Color:

Blue

Lateral pitch:

16.9 mm (18 loops / foot)

Open area:

53 %

Module height:

15 mm (0.59 inch)

Link height:

15 mm (0.59 inch)

Link thickness:

3 mm (0.12 inch)

Link width:

35 mm (1.37 inch)

C-C links:

Belt width – 55 mm (2.16 inch)

Useful belt width between links:

Belt width – 90 mm (3.54 inch)

Available link types:

Standard, no guard edge

12 mm integral guard edge (0.5 inch above belt surface]

25 mm integral guard edge (1 inch above belt surface)

Available sprocket sizes:

12, 16 or 21 teeth

Example of type designation:

TBU-P 16.9 – 40 – 6 / R2.2 (see image below)

Lateral pitch spiral wire: 16.9

Pitch: 40

Cross rod diameter: 6

Inside turn radius: R2.2

Image featuring example configuration TwenteFlex TBU-P 40

Downloads

Twentebelt TwenteFlex conveyor belts – Data sheet TBU-30 – English

Twentebelt TwenteFlex conveyor belts – Data sheet TBU-40 – English

Twentebelt TwenteFlex conveyor belts – Data sheet TBU-40P – English

Twentebelt TwenteFlex conveyor belts – Curved conveyor guidelines – English

Twentebelt TwenteFlex conveyor belts – Fitting instructions – English and German

Twentebelt TwenteFlex conveyor belts – Technical information and guidelines – English

Twentebelt provides technical information about TwenteFlex conveyor belts on this page.

Drive

Curved conveyor guidelines

Technical recommendations and fitting instructions

Specifications and datasheets

Downloads

Company details

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