According to BMG, reduced life of V-belts operating in the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) sector, is a major concern to the industry, in spite of users implementing rigorous system inspection programmes.
BMG specialists recommend that replacing conventional rubber V-belts used on air handling units (AHUs) with Fenner High Performance Composite (HPC) V-belts, is a dependable solution that offers many benefits, including higher drive efficiency, greater comfort, reduced downtime and extended service life.
Solving many field problems
“BMG’s Fenner HPC V-belts have been proven to maintain 100% of their belt life at 80°C, in comparison with only 25% belt life from a rubber belt at the same temperature,” explains Westnar van der Westhuizen, Product Manager, Power Transmissiondivision,BMG. “As the internal operating temperature of a rubber V-belt surpasses 30°C, adhesion between the rubber and reinforcing cords begins to break down, delamination and flex fatigue occurs and the rubber compound deteriorates and cracks, causing premature belt failure.
“Our range of Fenner HPC V-belts includes the PowerTwist Plus and NuTLink V-belts for classical section drives and SuperTLink V-belts for applications using metric wedge SP rated belts. While simple in concept, these composite V-belts deliver exceptional performance, solving many of the field problems associated with conventional rubber V-belts.
Greater surface area
“This range is manufactured from custom reinforced polyurethane elastomers, with multiple plies of polyester fabric, that offer excellent resistance to high operating temperatures. The effective link design results in belt constructions which limit flex induced heat build-up and ensures a greater surface area that dissipates any heat generated more effectively, compared with a solid construction rubber V-belt.
“Another important benefit of upgrading from rubber to HPC V-belts, is reduced belt installation time. It is easy for users to make an HPC V-belt to the required size by hand and roll it onto an AHU drive, just like a bicycle chain, with no tools required,” Westnar explains.
Decreased drive vibration
PowerTwist Plus drive belts, which do not require re-tensioning after the initial run-in, combine extremely high strength with low stretch and have the same power ratings as conventional V-belts. The elasticity of woven polyurethane fabric enables these belts to be stretched over a pulley drive without any damage.
This series is designed for decreased drive vibration, resulting in increased bearing life. Fenner Powertwist Plus belts are easily made up to the required length in seconds and there is no longer the need to move or dismantle any drive component. It is also easy for users to hold the correct inventory at all times.
Applications
Fenner NuTlink V-belts, with a quick connect T-Link design, are suitable for heavier, shock loaded applications and reciprocating engine powered drives. SuperTlink SP wedge V-belts also have a quick connect T-Link design, with suitability to replace metric V-belts of SPZ, SPA, SPB and SPC cross sections.
Other Fenner products available from BMG include synchronous transmission belts, pulleys and accessories, as well as shaft fixings, chain drives and couplings. BMG also supplies Fenner shaft mounted speed reducers (SMSRs).