Measuring and reducing axial motion of flat belt by finite element analysis

A simulation method for estimating and reducing axial motion of flat belt is developed by using a commercial finite element (FE) code, MARC. The simulated results of the axial motion rate have good agreement with the experimental ones. This research further shows that the axial motion of flat belt can effectively be reduced by setting an added steering roller to center position of the belt loosen span. Observing the deflected configuration of belt centerline and its expanded shape on two roller surfaces, we find a phenomenon that the belt wraps on the roller surface spirally and rotates with the roller without slippage. The mechanism of the belt axial motion is clarified in this paper.