Maintenance Technology August 2016 - (Page 44)
PROCESS EQUIPMENT
Heed Drive-Belt
Temperature Limits
TEMPERATURE IS FREQUENTLY
used to gauge the condition of motors
and power-transmission equipment.
The following information applies to
flexible drive belts and the temperature
limits for them.
Drive belts are an integral component on many types of machines.
Despite the critical role they play in
machine operation, V-type drive belts
tend to be out of sight and out of mind
until they fail. In most installations,
belt temperature largely influences the
life of installed V belts.
As a rule of thumb, properly
applied and maintained belts should
not exceed 140 F (60 C), assuming an
ambient temperature of less than 110 F
(43 C). Belt life can be greatly reduced
by higher operating temperatures. In
fact, for every 18 F-deg. (10 C-deg.)
increase in belt temperature, belt life
is cut in half. Keeping this in mind,
we can see that the life of a drive belt
operating at 176 F would be reduced
by 75%.
Many factors contribute to high beltoperating temperature, including, but
not limited to, ambient air temperature,
machine design, installation, alignment,
and belt tension. Overheating belts that
afford line-of-sight access can be readily
detected and documented with an
infrared imager.
Issues associated with overheating
in drive belts may not be limited to the
belts themselves, however. With regard
to over-tensioned drive belts, excessive
Jim Seffrin
Infraspection Institute
Thermogram shows overheating V-belts. Note castoff in the control photo.
Images courtesy of Skip Handlin.
Thermogram shows the effects
of an improperly tensioned
V-belt. In this example,
over-tension causes both the
belt and adjacent pillow block
bearing to run hot.
force applied to belts is often transferred
to bearings in the driven system. In
these situations, it's not uncommon to
see bearings overheat due to the excess
force created by the over-tensioned
belt(s).
It should be noted that the operating
temperature of overheating drive belts
is not necessarily linear. A worn belt
that has reached critical temperature
will begin to wear at an accelerated rate,
which, in turn, will cause the belt to
run hotter and wear even more quickly.
This vicious cycle will continue until the
belt either breaks or fails to perform its
intended task.
Once detected, overheating belts
should be investigated for cause and
proper corrective measures undertaken
as soon as possible. Doing so can help
prevent unscheduled downtime and
may prolong belt life.
Thermal imaging offers several
distinct advantages over other types
of inspections for belted systems.
Thermal imaging is non-contact and
nondestructive. Imaging is performed
remotely and requires no shutdown of
inspected systems. Because infrared
imagers produce real-time data, results
are instantaneous and allow rapid
inspection. MT
Jim Seffrin, a practicing thermographer with 30+ years of experience in the field, was appointed to the position of Director of
Infraspection Institute, Burlington, NJ, in 2000. This article is based on one of his "Tip of the Week" posts on IRINFO.org. For
more information on infrared applications, as well details on various upcoming training and certification opportunities, email
jim@infraspection.com or visit infraspection.com.
44 |
MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY
AUGUST 2016
http://www.IRINFO.org
http://www.infraspection.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maintenance Technology August 2016
Editorial
Uptime
On The Floor
Accepting The Challenge
Advanced Software In The Jungle
Put Efficiency in MRO Storerooms
Rethink Overall Vibration Monitoring
Reliable Pumping Supplement
Practical Oil Analysis: Why and What For?
SAP Tips and Tricks
Maximize Ethernet
Compressed Air Care
Nurture STEM Learning
Heed Drive-Belt Temps
Internet of Things
ISO 55000
Products
Showcase
Ad Index
Final Thought
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