Post a reply to the thread: Belt tension and alignment
You may choose an icon for your message from this list
Please enter the name by which you would like to log-in and be known on this site.
Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.
Please enter a valid email address for yourself.
Will turn www.example.com into [URL]http://www.example.com[/URL].
[QUOTE=jayguy;20021491]Belt Hog...they made it too easy.
Thanks for all the answers. I have 32 systems that I have been going over and nearly every one of the belts have been much too tight and there is a history of bearing replacements and frequent belt replacement....no figure.
^^^^ applause Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Originally Posted by under pressure Since we are over thinking this... oh, trust me, i get it. most guys just roll a new belt on every year, never check alignment or change the sheaves and then complain about their customers never wanting to spend money or the company they work for has to cut the price of the contract (again) and doesn't pay enough to the tech. yet here i am giving the customer details and engineering units and showing them how to spend less money with me (by not having to change belts and stuff every year) and getting more PO's for higher end work with more profit. you guys keep using string. keep complaining about how manufacturers "don't make them like they used to". if you are using string, are you any different than the other companies you call hacks? i understand that the equipment is expensive, however, i can put the lasers on, make my measurements and take off the lasers before you can even get the string on. how much is your time worth?
Originally Posted by R123 Yeah its working now. BTW, is that you in the sky diving video? that's me!
Originally Posted by jayguy Sorry. Should be fixed now. Yeah its working now. BTW, is that you in the sky diving video?
Originally Posted by jayguy i took this video this week about why string shouldn't be used. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIiJn4jaMrQ you can see how the top side of the sheave has a non-uniform wall thickness, however, the inside edge of the sheave runs true. it's the belt groove that needs to run aligned...not the outer wall. if you are using string, even on this sheave, you would probably get to within the 2 degrees of misalignment most manufacturers recommend...but why not do better? while you can not see it, the misalignment on this belt drive setup is 0.438 degrees...it can certainly be better with a little love. Since we are over thinking this, I always take my Sheaves to a machine shop and have them turned and trued before attempting to align them. I only use Machinist's grade string and double check with a pocket laser pointer, inspection mirror and a pink floyd CD that has been highly polished with a lint free cloth...
Originally Posted by R123 Jay, I tried to watch your youtube video but you have it set to private and I can't watch it. Sorry. Should be fixed now.
Originally Posted by jayguy i took this video this week about why string shouldn't be used. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIiJn4jaMrQ you can see how the top side of the sheave has a non-uniform wall thickness, however, the inside edge of the sheave runs true. it's the belt groove that needs to run aligned...not the outer wall. if you are using string, even on this sheave, you would probably get to within the 2 degrees of misalignment most manufacturers recommend...but why not do better? while you can not see it, the misalignment on this belt drive setup is 0.438 degrees...it can certainly be better with a little love. Jay, I tried to watch your youtube video but you have it set to private and I can't watch it.
H Originally Posted by jayguy ...if you are using string, even on this sheave, you would probably get to within the 2 degrees of misalignment most manufacturers recommend...but why not do better? while you can not see it, the misalignment on this belt drive setup is 0.438 degrees...it can certainly be better with a little love. With a little love and a $1600.00 Belt Hog. Ouch!
i took this video this week about why string shouldn't be used. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIiJn4jaMrQ you can see how the top side of the sheave has a non-uniform wall thickness, however, the inside edge of the sheave runs true. it's the belt groove that needs to run aligned...not the outer wall. if you are using string, even on this sheave, you would probably get to within the 2 degrees of misalignment most manufacturers recommend...but why not do better? while you can not see it, the misalignment on this belt drive setup is 0.438 degrees...it can certainly be better with a little love.
Good idea! Gotta try that one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Using a string or straight edge is useless if the motor sheave and the driven sheave are not the same thickness. And they usually aren't. Might be better off to just install the belt and observe how it aligns in the groves. A cheap laser pointer laid in the grove of either sheave will sight the centers.
Thanks jay guy! Cool product. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Attachment 555451this is what I mean. How do you get line of sight down the centerline of the sheaves on something this small? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Originally Posted by Scott Kline Where do I find one of those and which one do you use?... Belt Hog...they made it too easy. http://www.vibralign.com/belt-alignment-tool/belt-hog/
Originally Posted by jayguy Laser. Determining sheave twist is nearly impossible with string. Where do I find one of those and which one do you use? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Originally Posted by Scott Kline ...Just seems like there is a better way... Laser. Determining sheave twist is nearly impossible with string.
Yeah I get how to use the string. But getting eyes on it to see if it's lined up would be pretty hard for me maybe cuz I only have one good eye... Just seems like there is a better way... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Originally Posted by Scott Kline Thanks pecmsg. As I thought the string method is basically useless in many applications. If you can't sight down the axis of the sheave then you're out of luck. Seems the majority of the systems I service the belt is oriented perpendicular to the line of sight of the tech which makes it pretty much impossible to get your head inside and sight down the sheaves with a string and really get it right. Close? Sure. A parallel mounted belt would be easy with a straight edge. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Scott, I interpreted the string reference takes the place of a straight edge… In the diagram it appears it is secured to the shaft first and then wrapped around the outer edge of the pulley to start its first point of reference… Once the string is moved towards the second pulley, the string will make contact with the opposite edge of the first pulley....at the point of contact it becomes the straight edge to reference where the second pulley is in relation to the first pulley...assuming both pulleys are identical in respect to the outer wall thickness, it would be relatively easy to align the pulleys even if you have limited access.... Sent through Tapatalk, even though they ruined it with "upgrades"...
Forum Rules
