Synchronous toothed belts info

[Bap]

Plasma table driven on both sides of X axes with Gates LL-8M-50 (each belt is approx. 24 ft by 2inch wide). When cutting a test square there is overshoot when going from X direction to Y, similar to a dampening signwave.
This is not happening when going from the y to x direction. Not sure if tightening the belts will solve this.

Any ideas,

Thanks,

BAP

[harryn]

I have done a lot of reading (not much usage yet) of belts for my DIY router. In particular info from Brecoflex.

Belts are somewhat elastic, so it is possible to obtain that kind of effect if you are changing direction from a long axis. There is also some backlash in the pulleys, as the teeth are not a perfect fit for the belt.

If you are using standard T shape belt, these problems are almost for sure present.

There are various teeth shapes out there, but for Brecoflex in particular, the AT style tooth is much stronger that a T style. There are various belt thicknesses and coverings to stiffen up the belt / reduce stretching. They make pulleys with various tooth play amounts as well.

In cases with high stress, precision applications, they even make one belt version which is a bit "small" and you stretch it out to the final shape with the belt tension.