This article proposes thermography as a non-contact diagnostic tool for assessing drive reliability. The application of this technique during the operation of the belt transmission with a heat-welded thermoplastic polyurethane V-belt was presented. The V-belt temperature changes depending on the braking torque load at different values of the rotational speed of the active pulley, which were adopted as diagnostic characteristics. In this paper, the surface morphology of the polyurethane (PU) belts was assessed on the basis of microscopic and hardness tests. A surface roughness tester was used to evaluate the surface wear. The surface morphology and topography of the materials was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy. It was found that the most favorable operating conditions occurred when the temperature values of active and passive connectors were similar and the temperature difference between them was small. The mechanical and structure results indicate that the wear of the PU belt was slight, which provided stability and operational reliability for V-belt transmission. The microscopic images lacked clear traces of cracks and scratches on the surface, which was confirmed by the SEM observations.

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/7/1502/pdf

Evaluation of the Thermal Stability and Surface Characteristics of Thermoplastic Polyurethane V-Belt.

Modifying the piercing punch profile may have a positive effect on the belt perforation process. Using the proper shape of the tool may reduce the perforation force and improve the quality of the holes. However, complex geometry of the punch can also cause an adverse stress distribution, which leads to a faster tool wear. In the presented paper, several different piercing punch profiles were tested using FEM analyses in ABAQUS and the obtained stress distributions along its cutting edges were analyzed. For the selected group of the piercing punches, the influence of variable geometrical features (a radius of rounding, an angle of chamfering or a depth of the bowl) on the stress distribution were also shown. Based on the results, it is possible to predict how modifying the punch profile will affect the shortening of the tool life, compared to the basic flat-end cylindrical piercing punch. The following research can be useful in the design process of the punching tools used for vacuum conveyor belts perforation.

The influence of the piercing punch profile on the stress distribution on its cutting edge

Abstract The on-going rapid development of industry encourages development of new production technologies and designing of machines that use inventive mechanical engineering solutions, a big demand for parts of such machines being a natural consequence. Polymeric power transmission belts are a good example of that. This paper proposes an improvement in the process of production of such belting. Their production includes cutting to length and splicing of elastic round belts to obtain endless belts of the specified length. This is the key phase of the whole production process. A number of splicing methods are available using different physical phenomena. One of them is butt welding technique. In this process heat is applied on the material through an additional heating element called the heat platen. The effect depends on several factors, including preparation of the work pieces. Due to its characteristics the process is often carried out by hand. The need for automated manufacturing was created by important factors associated with manufacturing on an industrial scale: cost, time and quality. The proposed butt welding machine, complete with a control system is an answer to this need. The practical benefits include improved repeatability of splices, time savings and less work load for the operator.

/pdf/butt-welding-of-round-drive-belts-4t10g3ndt9.pdf

Butt Welding of Round Drive Belts

Identification of the Quality of Timing Belt Pulleys

Most of the industrial machines use the belt transmission for the power transfer. These mechanisms often use the round belts with a few millimetres in diameter, which are made of the thermoplastic elastomers, especially the polyurethane. Their production process requires the bonding step, which is often performed by the butt welding, using the hot plate. To design the automatic welding machine in a proper way, the authors analyzed this process. One of the most important parameter which describes the hot plate welding is plasticized distance. Knowledge about its value is necessary to predict the length reduction of the belt during welding and will be used during the quality of the joint rating. To obtain value of this parameter the temperature distribution calculations are needed. The paper shows the results of the analytical calculations of the temperature distribution and their comparison with analyses performed by the FEM implements. Calculations were performed for the thermoplastic elastomer during the heating phase in the hot plate welding process.

The temperature distribution during heating in hot plate welding process

A proposal of measurement methodology and assessment of manufacturing methods of nontypical cog belt pulleys

Contact Problems Between the Hub and the Shaft with a Three-angular Shape of Cross-section for Different Angular Positions

Multi-angularity - Identification of Parameters and Compatibility Conditions of the Axisymmetric Connection with form Deviations☆

The works [1, 2] present the values of the force and moment of friction needed to disassemble the axisymmetric connection with oval and three-angular shape of cross-section of the shaft. These works additionally show the variable values of the Mises stresses and contact pressures. This paper presents research which is a continuation of the research program on the evaluation of the influence of cross-section deviations, radial deviations, and their compilations on the value of the contact area in the connection. The limited contact area has a decisive impact on functional and operational parameters of the connection. Point contact between the shaft and the hole is the reason of the reduction of load transmission. The paper concerns the connection between the shaft with four-angular shape of cross-section with the deviation Tw = 13 μm and the hub with the nominal roudness. The authors have proved the occurrence of variable values of the force and moment of friction during disassembling of the connection. The authors have also showed the occurrence of variable values of the reduced stresses and contact pressures.

Andrzej Kołodziej

Papers

A proposal of measurement methodology and assessment of manufacturing methods of nontypical cog belt pulleys

Contact Problems Between the Hub and the Shaft with a Three-angular Shape of Cross-section for Different Angular Positions

Identification of the Quality of Timing Belt Pulleys

Multi-angularity - Identification of Parameters and Compatibility Conditions of the Axisymmetric Connection with form Deviations☆

Contact Problems between the Hub and the Shaft with a Four-Angular Shape of Cross-Section for Different Angular Positions