Pulleys need to be aligned so that the belts, ropes or chains that run through them do not become jammed or end up scraping against the pulley. When pulleys are out of alignment, the entire operation of the machinery in question can be adversely affected. Pulley alignment plays a role in running machinery that does not lead to additional issues.
Less Wear on the Belts
If the pulleys are out of alignment, chances are the belt itself is slightly askew as it runs. Parts of the belt may contact parts of the machinery or pulleys that they shouldn't, and that can cause premature wear on the belt. If the belt breaks, the machinery stops, so you want to prevent as much wear as you can for as long as you can. That, of course, means getting those pulleys into alignment.
Faster Operation
Pulleys and belts that are out of alignment aren't going to operate as smoothly as they should, and the friction they create can drag down the speed of the machinery. Proper alignment reduces incorrect contact, and reducing that reduces friction. With good alignment and smooth operation, you get a belt pulley that is operating at optimal speed. That will make the machinery work a little faster, too (assuming nothing else is slowing down its operation), and whatever product or results you wanted from the machinery should appear more quickly. Overall, you have better efficiency and speed when those pulleys are working properly.
Lower Risk of Vibration
When belt pulleys are aligned correctly, and the belt is moving smoothly, the risk of excessive vibration is limited. Machinery with motors often puts out vibrations, and if the vibrations are too persistent and strong, they can affect bolts on the machinery and transfer to adjacent structures. Bolts loosen with too much vibration. This can make the bolts shake, and the bolts start to creep their way up via their threads (the bolts will actually rotate a bit and work their way out). Vibrations also travel to other machinery through the flooring or other connections, affecting that equipment as well. And if the machine has a seat for a human operator, that person can suffer a chronic injury due to long-term exposure to the vibrations. By aligning belt pulleys on the machinery, the machinery doesn't have as much opportunity to create those problematic vibrations.
If you notice the pulleys and belts aren't staying in alignment, you may need to get new ones. If the pulleys aren't aligned, the machinery isn't going to work as well, and that will affect the results you needed to get from the machinery.
For more information about belt pulleys, reach out to a local supplier.
