Step #12 Determine Required Belt Length (RBL)

Determine overall belt length, including amount to accommodate changes in temperature, expansion and contraction. The belt length is calculated using the following formula: RBL = BL (belt length) + Z (catenary sag) + 1. First calculate the belt length BL = x PD + 2L PD = sprocket pitch diameter L = length of conveyor centerline to centerline of shafts = added or subtracted belt length to offset thermally induced change to belt. (See Table 16.) 2. Calculate catenary sag 3. Calculate thermal expansion

RUNNING DIRECTION

d
WB Z
CATENARY SAG

Figure 8

Thermal Expansion Calculating Thermal Expansion or Contraction

= RBL (T2 - T1) e Where: = Change in dimension, in. (mm) Cold will be a reduction of belt length Hot will be an increase of belt length Check belt length hot & cold RBL = Required belt length at initial temperature, ft. (m) T1 = Ambient temperature, F (C) T2 = Operating temperature, F (C) (T1 - T2) = Span of temperature from ambient to cold (i.e. freezing) or hot (i.e. cleaning) e = Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, in./ft./F (mm/m/C) Table 16
LINEAR COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION MATERIAL e in/ft/F mm/m/C

Catenary Sag
When the returnway of the conveyor system is designed using catenary pockets, the influence of gravity on the unsupported belt sections between the supports is referred to as catenary sag. The proper amount of catenary sag is needed: to create returnside belt tension to maintain proper belt to sprocket engagement, provide an area for gathering excess belt length to offset the effects of thermal expansion produced by high temperature applications, provide an area for gathering excess belt length caused by loading and/ or wear.

Calculating Required Catenary Sag

Application conditions often time determines the amount of sag the catenary pocket needs to provide. When returnways are constructed using one of the recommended designs, the following rule can be applied for determining catenary sag.

Modular Belt

Rule of Thumb for Determining Catenary Sag

Catenary sag is set to 1/2 inch per foot (38 mm/m) of unsupported belt in the first catenary pocket after the first return roller following the drive*. * For example: Belt sag of 2 inches (50mm) would be used in a catenary pocket span of 4 feet (1.2m). Applications with moderate to extreme temperature variations will cause dimensional changes in the belt length. This can produce an unfavorable effect to (returnside) catenary tension. Failure to adequately accommodate: Belt contraction, can cause excessive belt tensions contributing to premature belt wear, breakage and even shaft or conveyor frame deformation. Belt expansion can reduce the amount of returnside tension causing poor sprocket engagement and belt damage. To eliminate either of these undesirable effects one must: 3. Calculate the total change in belt length resulting from thermal expansion or contraction (see Formulas & Tables section for calculations). 4. Determine the amount of excess belt length (Z) each catenary pocket must provide/accept by using the following formula. Z = .2216 d2 x Z = excess belt feet (m) d = catenary belt sag, inch (mm) x = distance between supports, feet (m)

Wearstrips

Metal
Table 17

Polyacetal/AAC Polyethylene Polypropylene Nylon FR FR/UHMW/PE -100F to 86F 88F to 210F Nylatron Aluminum Carbon/Stainless Steel

.0006 .0015 .0008 .0005 .0008 .0009 .0012 .0004 .00014 .00007

.09 .20 .11 .07 .11 .14 .18 .06 .02 .01

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