Timing belts, why not use?

[wwminc]

Searched now for hours and can't find any amount of info on the use of timing belts to provide primary motion in the place of ballscrews or R&P. Unless I'm missing something belt drive should be the simple way to get precision motion.
R&P has gear mesh issues, dirt buildup, ballscrews need quality supports or live with backlash, with using a rolled screw you have lead error and then to get fast ipm's you have to consider critical speed. So it appears that a 1"
min width belt, Kevlar , with a few simple pulleys in alignment solves a lot of build and accuracy issues. Open for any comments. Specific application:50" square moving table router. Any links to existing threads, please insert.
Thanks

[Al_The_Man]

Have you checked the SDP site? http://www.sdp-si.com/ they have tables and charts, also their free catalogues read like engineering manuals.
Al.

[ynneb]

There are a few on this forum who use belts, including myself.
I fully recommend this as a cheap alternative to traditional rack and pinion setups.
Sorry there are not many pictures of my setup, but you can have a read here Built on a foundation of past mistakes.

[wwminc]

Al
I've got catalogs from SDI, Thomson, Nook, numerous suppliers, MSC, etc.
Also have many Online manufactures, suppliers, etc that I study their site engineering info. What I can't find on cnczone is info of users of belt drives.
Everybody seems stuck on ballscrews and R&P. Who has made a sucessful
belt drive unit with a table over 3'?? Andy

[ynneb]

What I can't find on cnczone is info of users of belt drives.

You could always try here too New Obsession....

I always consider this picture to be the best inpiiration for a belt driven machine.


There are some other pictures of driveing setups in my photo gallery.
http://www.cnczone.com/gallery/showg.../2/ppuser/2793

[wwminc]

Ynneb
Thanks for the thread links, moondogs link.
The belt drive he used at the end is what I was proposing to build. I assume you use that setup also. Am I correct it works well? Andy

[ynneb]

This is Moondogs web site. You can see what he makes with his belt driven machine.
You be the judge.
http://www.capeboatworks.com.au

Oh and my very unfinished web site. You can also see what I have made with my belt driven machine. www.kitscut.com

[wwminc]

Yep, I think a belt drive will be just fine for my unit.

[Al_The_Man]

Breco make anti-stretch belts for this application in what length you want with the suitable coupling piece to attach to the carriage.
Al.

[wwminc]

After more research, I'm wondering about which type of belt to use.
Is a metric HTD series better or just use a Standard H series belt. Does this make any difference? Most likely design is to use a open belt, however it will be attached to the moving table frame with clamps, one flanged pulley on each end.
Drive one pulley with the servo/stepper. Belt width of min 25mm, maybe wider?

[ger21]

Read the info at SDP-SI, and you'll find that the GT or GT2 belts have the least backlash.