You are on page 1of 4

Volume 50, No.

4
December 2003

Gates Synchronous Belt Overview


Following the initial introduction of synchronous belts, Gates launched additional belt tooth forms,
constructions and sprocket types. This Product Application Note provides a general overview of the
various Gates synchronous product lines.

In addition, the numerous product variations create confusion regarding different product lines as well
as which belts and sprockets are interchangeable. Please note that even though two belts may have
the same pitch (distance from center of tooth to center of tooth) they may not be interchangeable.
There is a brochure (form # 12998-B) and a poster (form # 12998-I) available from Gates regarding
belt and sprocket interchange. Please contact Gates Product Application at 303-744-5800 for
questions regarding interchangeability.

PowerGrip Timing Belts


Tooth shape
- Trapezoidal
Materials PowerGrip Timing
- Teeth and body of belt: Rubber
- Tooth facing: Nylon
- Tensile cord: Fiberglass
Standard pitch sizes
- MXL (0.080) - H (0.500)
- XL (0.200) - XH (0.875)
- L (0.375) - XXH (1.250)
Temperature range
- 30 to + 185F
Capacity
- Less load capacity than a comparably sized curvilinear belt drive
- The belt tooth contacts the pulley only at the upper flank area
creating the main stress at the root of the belt tooth (reduces
belt life compared to curvilinear)
Positioning
- Fairly good positioning capability
Miscellaneous
- The first rubber synchronous belt introduced into the market
- Prone to ratcheting (tooth jump)

1
PowerGrip HTD PowerGrip HTD
Tooth shape
- Curvilinear
- The first curvilinear tooth profile
Materials
- Teeth and body of belt: Rubber
- Tooth facing: Nylon
- Tensile cord: Fiberglass
Standard Pitch Sizes
- 3 mm - 14 mm (non stock item - superceded by
- 5 mm PowerGrip GT
- 8 mm (non stock item -superceded by - 20 mm (grouped with PowerGrip GT2

PowerGrip GT ) although the profile is actually HTD
Temperature range
- 30 to + 185F
Capacity
- Approximately thirty percent more horsepower capacity than a comparable Timing belt drive
- Improved distribution of stress in belt teeth compared to Timing belts
- Larger, more robust belt tooth than Timing belts
Positioning
- Not acceptable for many positioning applications
- Backlash is approximately four times greater than a comparable Timing belt drive
Miscellaneous
- Introduced as High Torque Drive to compete with roller chain

PowerGrip GT
Tooth shape
- Modified curvilinear PowerGrip GT
Materials
- Teeth and body of belt: Rubber
- Tooth facing: Nylon
- Tensile cord: Fiberglass
Standard pitch sizes
- 2 mm
- 3 mm
- 5 mm
- 8 mm (non stock item - superceded by PowerGrip GT2)
- 14 mm (non stock item - superceded by PowerGrip GT2)
Temperature range
- 30 to + 185F
Capacity
- Same horsepower capacity as HTD when used with HTD sprockets (only for 8 and 14 mm
belts)
- Considerably better performance than HTD with 2, 3 and 5 mm pitch belt/sprocket systems

2
PowerGrip GT(cont.)
Positioning
- 8 and 14 mm pitch belts may not be acceptable in many positioning applications (greater
backlash than HTD when used w/ HTD sprockets)
- 2, 3 and 5 mm pitches have less backlash than HTD when operating in PowerGrip GT
sprockets
- The 2, 3 and 5 mm GT belt/sprocket combinations match or exceed the positional accuracy
of PowerGrip Timing belt/pulley systems
Miscellaneous
- 8 and 14 mm pitch belts are quieter than HTD when operating in HTD sprockets
- 8 and 14 mm GT originally were recommended for use in HTD sprockets
- 2, 3 and 5 mm pitches use GT sprockets only (not compatible with HTD)

PowerGrip GT2 PowerGrip GT2


Tooth shape
- Modified curvilinear
Materials
- Teeth and body of belt: Rubber
- Tooth facing: Nylon
- Tensile cord: Fiberglass
Standard pitch sizes
- 2 mm - 8 mm
- 3 mm - 14 mm
- 5 mm - 20 mm (actually HTD)
Temperature range
- 30 to + 185F
Capacity
- Full flank contact provides improved stress distribution
- 8 and 14 mm pitch belts use GT2 sprockets for increased capacity over GT (twice the
horsepower capacity when used with PowerGrip GT2 sprockets than either GT or HTD
in HTD sprockets and thus half the width for equivalent sized drives)
- 2, 3, and 5 mm pitch belts are the same as PowerGrip GT
Positioning
- 8 and 14 mm GT2 sprockets improve positioning accuracy over HTD sprockets
- 2, 3 and 5 mm pitch drives have less backlash than HTD
- The 2, 3 and 5 mm GT belt/sprocket combinations match or exceed the positional accuracy
of PowerGrip Timing belt/pulley systems
Miscellaneous
- Minimal interference entering and exiting sprocket grooves

Poly Chain GT
Tooth shape
- Modified curvilinear
Materials Poly Chain GT
- Teeth and body of belt: Polyurethane
- Tooth facing: Nylon
- Tensile cord: Aramid

3
Poly Chain GT(cont.)
Standard pitch sizes
- 5 mm (made to order only)
- 8 mm (non stock item-superceded by Poly Chain GT2)
- 14 mm (non stock item-superceded by Poly Chain GT2)
Temperature range
- 65 to + 185F
Capacity
- Approximately four times the horsepower capacity of HTD
- Highest horsepower capacity per unit width of all synchronous belts before superceded by
Poly Chain GT2
- Full flank contact provides improved stress distribution
Positioning
- Positioning capability in between HTD and Timing
Miscellaneous
- Excellent chemical and oil resistance

Poly Chain GT2


Tooth shape
- Modified curvilinear Poly Chain GT2
Materials
- Teeth and body of belt: Polyurethane
- Tooth facing: Nylon
- Tensile cord: Aramid
Standard pitch sizes
- 8 mm
- 14 mm
Temperature range
- 65 to + 185F
Capacity
- Approximately thirty percent more horsepower capacity that Poly Chain GT
- Drive widths competitive with roller chain
- Highest horsepower capacity per unit width of all synchronous belts (results in a smaller
overall drive package)
- Full flank contact provides improved stress distribution
Positioning
- Positioning capability in between HTD and Timing
Miscellaneous
- Excellent chemical and oil resistance
- Excellent option for replacing roller chain drives

The term modified curvilinear describes belts with many different tooth forms that were developed after HTD

Two, three, and five millimeter pitch PowerGrip GT belts were renamed GT2 for product line consistency with
the release of the new 8 mm and 14 mm pitch GT2 belt/sprocket systems.

You might also like