Single-Sided Belts: Have teeth on one side only, used for standard, unidirectional power transmission. Double-Sided Belts (DA/DB type): Have teeth on both sides. They can transmit power on two faces simultaneously, ideal for serpentine drives, multi-shaft drives, or reverse drives in compact spaces. DA type has teeth aligned on both sides; DB type has teeth staggered by half a pitch.
Length: Defined by the Pitch Length (PL), e.g., 5M-1000 means 5mm pitch, 1000mm pitch length (200 teeth). Calculate the required length from your preliminary center distance and pulley teeth, then select the nearest standard length. Width: Determines the belt's load capacity. Calculate the effective tension and compare it to the rated tension per unit width for your chosen pitch/profile to determine the minimum required width. Round up to the nearest standard width (e.g., 6mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm). Wider belts have higher power capacity.
Design Power: Motor power multiplied by a service factor. Speeds: RPM of both the driver and driven pulleys. Drive Ratio: Determines the number of pulley teeth. Center Distance & Space Limits: Affects belt length and pulley size. Environmental Conditions: Temperature, humidity, exposure to oil, chemicals, or need for food-grade certification. Load Characteristics: Constant, shock, or reciprocating loads. Accuracy Requirements: Need for absolute synchronization, allowable backlash.
Low power, high speed, compact space: Choose small pitches like 3M or 5M. Common in office equipment, small instruments, and servo motors. Medium power and speed: Choose 8M. This is one of the most common pitches in industrial automation, balancing capacity and size. High power/torque, lower speed: Choose 14M, 20M, or larger trapezoidal pitches (e.g., H, XH). Used in heavy machinery and conveyor systems. Key Reference: Use Sables' Power Rating Tables or selection software based on your design power and small pulley RPM to determine the most economical pitch.
Low power, high speed, compact space: Choose small pitches like 3M or 5M. Common in office equipment, small instruments, and servo motors. Medium power and speed: Choose 8M. This is one of the most common pitches in industrial automation, balancing capacity and size. High power/torque, lower speed: Choose 14M, 20M, or larger trapezoidal pitches (e.g., H, XH). Used in heavy machinery and conveyor systems. Key Reference: Use Sables' Power Rating Tables or selection software based on your design power and small pulley RPM to determine the most economical pitch.
Rubber Timing Belts: Have teeth on the inner circumference that mesh with pulley grooves to provide positive, non-slip drive with precise speed ratios. The backside may be flat or textured. Rubber Flat Belts: Have a smooth or coated surface and rely on friction for power transmission. They allow for some slip, are suitable for long center distances or variable speed applications, but cannot guarantee synchronous motion.
By Profile: Standard trapezoidal (e.g., MXL, XL, L, H, XH, XXH), curvilinear (e.g., 3M, 5M, 8M, 14M, 20M), and special profiles (e.g., AT, ATD). By Construction: Single-sided belts, double-sided belts (DA/DB type), molded endless belts, and open-ended belts. By Material: Rubber timing belts (Neoprene with fiberglass cords), Polyurethane (PU) belts, and special belts (heat-resistant, oil-resistant, static-conductive). By Application: Power transmission belts, conveyor belts, and multi-ribbed belts (PK type).