Polycord on tote intake: recipe for disaster?

[Leav]

Our initial mockup for a horizontal roller gripper calls for about 14 small wheels (7 for each side) in order to get the shape we want, and when you consider that they all need to be powered, it starts looking slightly ridiculous.

One alternative we have considered is using polycord or double sided timing belts, but our small amount of experience with these items on an intake has us worried that they will ride out of the pulleys if any vertical forces are involved.


This is a valid concern, right?

Any examples of polycord intakes which could stand up to axial loads? maybe we're missing an obvious way to keep them in their groove


Thanks!