ATLAS COPCO Industrial Air Compressors' Drive Belts
I. Types and Characteristics of Drive Belts
Common Types
The commonly used drive belts in ATLAS COPCO air compressors include V-belts, multi-ribbed belts (PK belts), and synchronous belts, etc. The specific type of drive belt for each air compressor is selected based on power, speed, and other parameters:
V-belts: Transmit power through contact between the two sides and the pulley groove. The structure is simple, the cost is low, and they are suitable for small and medium power models.
Multi-ribbed belts: Combine the advantages of flat belts and V-belts, have a large contact area, high power transmission, and stable operation. They are often used in medium and large power air compressors.
Synchronous belts: Transmit power through the meshing of the belt teeth and the teeth of the pulley. They have high transmission accuracy, no slipping, and are suitable for models with high requirements for speed synchronization.
Material Characteristics
Usually, rubber (such as neoprene) or polyurethane is used as the base material, with high-strength fibers (such as glass fibers, aramid fibers) embedded to enhance tensile strength. They have the characteristics of wear resistance, oil resistance, and high temperature resistance (adapted to the working temperature of the air compressor).
II. Common Faults and Their Effects
Slippage
Due to slack, wear, or oil contamination of the drive belt, the friction force decreases, resulting in reduced transmission efficiency, insufficient output pressure from the air compressor, overheating of the motor, and in severe cases, the friction may cause the drive belt to burn due to heat generation.
Breakage or Cracking
After long-term use, the material ages, or due to improper installation (such as excessive tension) or misalignment of the pulley, local stress concentration may occur, which may cause the drive belt to break, resulting in sudden shutdown of the air compressor.
Uneven Wear
Wear on the pulley groove, installation coaxiality deviation, or uneven tension of the drive belt can cause local excessive wear of the drive belt, shortening its service life.
III. Maintenance and Replacement Key Points
Daily Inspection
Regularly (such as weekly) check the tension of the drive belt: Press the middle position of the drive belt, the deflection is usually 10-15mm (refer to the equipment manual for specific details). If it is too loose, it is prone to slipping; if it is too tight, it is prone to damaging the bearings and drive belt.
Check for cracks, wear, and oil stains on the surface. If there is oil stain, clean it and check for oil leakage points.
Check if the pulleys are aligned, and if there is any wear or deformation.
Replacement Timing
Replace immediately when there are obvious cracks, delamination, excessive wear, or breakage.
Preventive replacement according to the recommended cycle of the equipment manual (usually 1-2 years, or 10,000-20,000 hours of operation, depending on the working conditions).
It is recommended to replace the entire set (for models with multiple drive belts) to avoid using new and old belts mixedly, which may lead to uneven force distribution.
Installation Precautions
Select drive belts that match the original factory model (such as ATLAS original model number 3002 0158 00, etc., need to provide the specific model of the air compressor for confirmation).
Ensure that the axis lines of the pulleys are parallel, adjust the tension after installation, and avoid being too loose or too tight.
Avoid scratching the drive belt during installation with sharp objects.
