Using timing belts horizontally

[EricH]

I've been running horizontal timing belts for a little bit, off a FRC robot. I don't think you would need it quite this tight, but for the application I've been using them in, if the driving motor started to turn, the belt needed to start to move immediately. If there was delay, I'd hunt down and remove the slack.

For an FRC robot, you don't have to have them that tight, but you still don't want much slack.

[ehfeinberg]

You wouldn't happen to have any pictures would you?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by ehfeinberg

You wouldn't happen to have any pictures would you?

I don't think so. I'd have to get them the next time I'm in the shop (the best part of a week).

BUT! of the three belts on any one of the machines they're on, 2 are horizontal (the third is on horizontal axles) and only one of those is a continuous belt. That one has a slidable tensioner--set and forget--and is used to drive a pair of leadscrews. I've seen minor stretch and occasional loosening. The non-continuous belts are tensioned by pulling more of the belt through the clamps that hold it in place.

For the application, I need them that tight--they're being driven by a trio of stepper motors, and need accuracy as tight as possible. But with them a little bit slacker, I can still get acceptable results. An FRC robot could go slacker still, but not by much.

[Dad1279]

We used a horizontal high speed belt (direct to a cim, speeding up an impeller) without problems for Breakaway. 1 pulley had flanges, this kept the belt from wandering.

[Gregor]

1717 didn't seem to have any problems, but then again, they have access to magic.