LUXEMBOURG—Gates Industrial Corp. has released a new drive belt for use in extremely cold conditions, and specifically in tight, confined spaces where small pulley diameters are critical.
According to Gates, the Super Flex Polar belt represents an expansion of the fluid power and transmission company's thermoplastic polyurethane line, a drive belt that can withstand temperatures as low as -30°C and -22°F.
"Through our passion to continually develop innovative and high-quality products, we've added a unique TPU resin to this product line to offer full power capacity down to -30°C," Heinz Watzinger, Gates TPU product manager, said in news release. "This belt can be used with new equipment, or as a replacement, in any extreme cold working environment to meet a wide variety of needs. And our product doesn't require a special order, which is novel in the marketplace."
Gates said the belt, available in standard steel, high-strength steel, high-flexible steel and stainless steel, is manufactured using an extrusion method that features helically-wound steel in conjunction with the low temperature-tolerant TPU resin.
The belt is available in lengths from 1.5 meters to 22.5 meters (about 5 feet to about 74 feet); and widths between 10mm and 170mm, to accommodate confined spaces, Gates said.
In addition, Gates said it can produce the belt with a nylon fabric on the tooth side that can reduce friction and sound.
The belt has been used by replacement channel customers and OEM manufacturers for deep freeze storage systems; offshore plants; glass and ceramics industries; wood, paper and furniture industries; packaging industry; and the textile industry, among many others.