Industrial chain drives in manufacturing plants are under a lot of stress. Transmission roller chains have to handle heavy loads, high speeds, high temperatures, volatile materials and other demanding environmental conditions.
And sometimes, the simple fact is, they can’t handle those things.
Re-tensioning and lubricating the roller chains can be quite time-consuming, costing businesses in downtime. Some drives even fail only a few months into their lifetime, requiring expensive replacements. All of these add up to the cost of the businesses.
That might have been acceptable in the past. “That’s how we’ve always done it,” business-owners would say. But that doesn’t cut it anymore, especially when there’s a better option available.
A better alternative
Building on decades of experience in creating optimum solutions for belt drives in both automotive and industrial applications, Gates Australia has introduced Poly Chain GT Carbon belts, which are well equipped to handle the demands of any manufacturing environment. Poly Chain GT Carbon are Gates’ most powerful synchronous belt, specifically designed for optimum performance on high torque, low speed drives often seen in industrial applications.
An excellent alternative to chain drives, Poly Chain offers many benefits to any business.
The body and teeth of Poly Chain GT Carbon are constructed using a lightweight polyurethane compound, which is specially blended to adhere to the cords and fabric. Carbon fibre tensile cords provide extraordinary power carrying capacity as well as exceptional flex fatigue life. Combined, these factors mean Poly Chain GT Carbon has the strength to withstand shocks and surge loading and is virtually immune to abrasions. Being much lighter than steel chain, Poly Chain GT Carbon also reduces overhung loads.
Additionally, the new Poly Chain GT Carbon has power ratings up to 30 percent higher than the company’s earlier versions of Poly Chain and a service life up to three times longer than conventional roller chains. Similarly, pulley life for Poly Chain is up to ten times longer than roller chain sprockets.
By eliminating the need for constant re-tensioning, lubricating and removing the links, Poly Chain GT Carbon belts increase the production efficiency and save businesses valuable time. Poly Chain GT Carbon belts are completely maintenance-free. They do not require messy lubrication or oil baths (a hazard for any food handling environment) or re-tensioning every few months. They will not stretch during service. They offer 400 percent greater capacity than HTD belts, five percent energy savings over V-belts, and 99 percent efficiency for the life of the drive.
Poly Chain GT Carbon inert to most acids, chemicals and water, making it an ideal solution for wet environments – unlike roller chains, which can rust, potentially contaminating food-handling spaces.
Poly Chain GT Carbon belts operate on Poly Chain GT pulleys and do not require any adaptation of existing GT2 applications.
Specifications
Poly Chain GT Carbon comes in a range of pitches. This range now includes both short and extended custom lengths, to suit a variety of manufacturing purposes.
Short length versions of the belt in 5M and 8M are suitable for industrial markets requiring a short centre distance but high-density power and offer all the benefits listed above.
Poly Chain GT Carbon is also available in 19M lengths to handle longer drive centre distances, while delivering high-power capability, long life and freedom from maintenance. Poly Chain GT Carbon offers a massive 96 percent weight saving versus traditional, comparable transmission roller chains.
Extended length manufacturing capability allows for custom belt lengths with any tooth count – within the minimum and maximum length range.
All Poly Chain GT Carbon belts are fully operational in temperature extremes of -54°C to +85°C and can be used for applications in general manufacturing, food and beverage, timber, agriculture, oil & gas, cement and more. They are suited to a range of different environments, from food production to fans and pumps.
Poly Chain GT Carbon also offers reduced width drive conversions for existing roller chain applications, and over 120,000 possible ratio combinations, making it easy to switch the drives. The space-saving, weight-saving, time-saving and money-saving drives offer a long and reliable service life.
Gates Australia is currently promoting their roller chain replacement product Poly Chain GT Carbon by offering an obligation free drive design and report showing the cost to replace a roller chain drive including ROI, simply complete the form at www.gatesaustralia.com.au/unchain.
