Timing belt / synchronising belt

Timing or synchronous belts are characterised by their precision, efficiency and durability and offer reliable solutions for power transmission in machines and systems.

Timing belts are belt-shaped drive elements with regular teeth on the inside that engage with corresponding pulleys. They enable slip-free and synchronised transmission of torques, making them ideal for precise applications such as packaging machines, conveyor systems or robotics. Manufactured from robust materials such as polyurethane or rubber, combined with reinforcements made of steel or glass fibres, timing belts ensure high resistance to wear and stress.

Timing belts also offer extremely precise synchronisation between the drive and output sides. They are therefore particularly suitable for applications where precise timing control is required, such as in the printing industry, in CNC machines or in food processing. Their low noise, high efficiency and low maintenance characteristics make them a favourite choice in many industries.

Thanks to their versatility and adaptability, timing and synchronous belts can be designed for a wide range of performance requirements and environmental conditions. They help to optimise processes, reduce energy losses and extend the service life of machines.

Our range includes a large selection of branded products from all leading timing belt manufacturers.

Downloads

Form Designing of belt drives(241 KB)

Technical support

Technical advisor

Michael Maßjosthusmann

Phone: 05241 7407 30

E-Mail: m.massjosthusmann@luetgert-antriebe.de

On request, we can take over the complete drive design or check existing drives for potential improvements. Thanks to our in-house foundry, we can offer you the entire drive from a single source with customised timing belt pulleys. You can rely on our many years of experience and expertise to make your drive processes more efficient and durable. Contact us - we will find the perfect solution for your requirements!

Structure of a timing belt

Timing belts are highly developed components that are specially designed for precise power transmission and a long service life. They are designed to maximise efficiency and reliability in a wide range of industrial and machinery applications. A timing belt typically consists of the following components:

Toothed belt back
The back of the timing belt forms the outside of the belt. It is usually made of robust elastomer or polyurethane and serves as a protective layer. The back of the belt resists external influences such as abrasion, chemical substances or temperature fluctuations and contributes to the stability of the belt.

Tension member
Inside the timing belt is the tension member, a crucial element for the tensile strength and load-bearing capacity of the belt. The tension members are made of materials such as glass fibre, steel or aramid fibres, which ensure high strength with minimal elongation. They enable precise power transmission without any significant elongation of the belt during operation.

Tooth profile
The inside of the timing belt has regularly shaped teeth. These engage positively with the teeth of the timing belt pulleys and ensure slip-free torque transmission. The teeth are made of a special elastomer or polyurethane with high wear resistance, which can withstand the loads caused by constant engagement.

Tissue support (tooth surface)
The teeth are often covered with a fabric layer that protects their surface and minimises friction. This fabric, often made of nylon, ensures quiet running and reduces wear on both the belt and the timing belt pulleys.

Materials
Depending on the application, timing belts can be made of different materials:

Polyurethane (PU)
- High abrasion resistance
- Resistant to oil and chemicals
- Limited resistance to cold and ozone
- Temperature resistance
- Completely maintenance-free
- Angular fidelity

Rubber (e.g. neoprene or HNBR)
- Excellent flexibility
- Limited oil resistance
- Insensitive to weather influences
- Long ozone resistance
- High damping properties
- Good temperature resistance

The structure of a timing belt is a combination of materials and design features that ensure efficient, precise and durable power transmission. Each component plays a key role in the performance and adaptability of the timing belt in different applications.

At a glance

Slip-free drive with high efficiency
High speeds possible
Narrow wrap angles possible
Damping effect of the teeth made of elastic material
Long service life with relatively low loads
Quiet running
Hardly any elongation during service life, therefore precise control
No lubrication required
Cost-effective

Timing belts for industrial applications

Clear identification of timing belts

Timing belts are essential components in drive technology, and their clear identification is crucial to ensure optimum function and compatibility with other components. The following information is required to identify a timing belt beyond doubt:

Profile
The profile of a timing belt describes the shape and spacing of the teeth. It defines which timing belt pulleys are compatible with the belt. The distance from tooth centre to tooth centre is measured. Timing belts have been standardised for DIN ISO 5294 and for timing belt pulleys with DIN ISO 5296. Common profiles are T, AT, HTD or 5M, for example.

However, the profile of a timing belt always also specifies the standard thickness of the tension member and the overall height of the timing belt. The belt-specific forces can therefore always be specified by profile. A distinction is mainly made between imperial and metric profiles.

Pitch
The pitch indicates the distance between the centres of two adjacent teeth, measured in millimetres (e.g. 5 mm for a 5M profile). This information is crucial for the correct fit in the toothed disc.

Belt length
The total length of the timing belt, often specified in millimetres, is required to ensure that the belt can be tensioned correctly and optimally covers the intended drive.

Belt width
The width of the timing belt determines its load-bearing capacity and influences how much power can be transmitted. Even if timing belts are manufactured with a closed length, the width of the belt is always cut. This means that almost all widths are possible. Common widths are standardised, but can vary depending on the application.

Material and reinforcement
The material of the timing belt, such as polyurethane or rubber, as well as the type of tension member (e.g. glass fibre, steel) influence the properties of the belt in terms of load capacity, abrasion resistance and temperature resistance.

Number of teeth
The number of teeth on a belt helps to precisely define its length and area of application. The total length of the timing belt is calculated by multiplying the number of teeth by the pitch.
Example: 200 teeth x 5 mm pitch = 1,000 mm belt length

By combining this information, timing belts can be clearly identified and suitable spare parts or new drive solutions can be reliably selected. Precise documentation of these characteristics is therefore essential in order to minimise downtimes and keep operations efficient.

Positive connection with toothed belt

Timing belts transmit forces through positive engagement in timing belt pulleys with the same profile. Compared to flat belts or V-belts, they work without slippage when operated correctly. The positive interplay between the timing belt and timing belt pulley ensures precise and reliable power transmission.

However, every timing belt drive has minimal tooth play. This leads to a slight inaccuracy in reversible drives (forward and reverse), but this is negligible in most applications. In special cases, the backlash can be significantly reduced by using so-called 0-gap timing belt pulleys.

The precision of a timing belt depends on the pitch of the profile: the smaller the pitch, the more accurately the belt works. Larger pitches, on the other hand, offer the advantage that they are equipped with stronger tension members and can therefore transmit higher forces.