Product category:
Conveyor systems (production and general purpose)
News Release from: Flexco (Flexible Steel Lacing Company) | Subject: Alligator Plastic Rivet Fastener System
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 August 2003
Plastics belt fasteners offered for
light duties
A series of plastics hinged-plate conveyor belt fasteners offers exceptional performance for light-duty applications in which metal fasteners or vulcanized splices are undesirable.
A series of plastics hinged-plate conveyor belt fasteners from Flexco offers exceptional performance for light-duty applications in which metal fasteners or vulcanized splices are undesirable Featuring a one-piece, molded-in rivet design for easier handling and installation, the Alligator Plastic Rivet Fastener System provides an economical and time-saving alternative to vulcanized splicing commonly used on thin belting, plus the advantage of a hinged, separable joint for fast belt repair, replacement or cleaning
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 26 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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Appropriate installations for the Alligator Plastic Rivet Fastener System include light-duty belts running on slider beds, because plastic reduces the noise and slider bed wear sometimes associated with metal fasteners, and belts fitted with metal detectors or X-ray inspection.
Because they will not scratch or mark finishes, or corrode, Plastic Rivet Fasteners are recommended for use with belts carrying metallized, chromed, painted or polished products, or printed packaging.
Made of non-sparking material, they also are suitable for dusty environments.
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Molded from Nylon, Alligator Plastic Rivet Fasteners are available in two styles: a white-colored version, produced from FDA and USDA accepted material that allows use in food and drug processing applications; and a black-colored style formulated for extended life in outdoor applications.
Both types resist oils, animal fats, and weak acids and alkalis, and are extremely resistant to ketones, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ester solvents and alcohols.
Each Alligator Plastic Rivet Fastener is of one-piece, molded construction featuring upper and lower plates joined at one end by a pair of hinge loops.
Two rivets are molded into the upper plate, positioned to protrude through holes in the lower plate.
Beveled plate edges assure smooth passage under plows, scrapers or diverters encountered in many conveyor systems, and a countersunk recess designed into the lower plate protects the rivet heads from premature wear and snagging.
Preparation of the belt for Plastic Rivet splicing is accomplished using special installation tools and accessories developed by Flexco.
To ensure maximum splice performance and service life, a metal template is used to guide proper rivet hole location, spacing and alignment; holes are then drilled through the belt with a standard hand-held power drill.
The fasteners are installed using the Spin-Set installation tool, a patented, inexpensive, lightweight portable tool available from Flexible Steel Lacing Co.
Once the fasteners are positioned along the prepared belt end, the belt is clamped into the Spin-Set installation tool, closing and compressing the fastener plates onto the belt cover while pushing the rivet heads through the holes in the opposite plate.
After the Alligator Plastic Rivet Lubricant is applied to the rivet heads, the electrically powered Spin-Set installation tool sets the rivets, securing the fastener plates in compressed position.
Alligator Plastic Rivet Fasteners are offered in two sizes: APF150 fits belt thicknesses from 1/16in (1.6mm) to 1/8in (3.2mm) and operates smoothly around minimum pulley diameters of 3in (75mm); the smaller APF100 suits belts up to 3/32in (2.4mm) thick and pulley diameters up to 12in (38mm).
Recommended operating temperature range is -20degF to 180degF (-29degC to 82degC).
Alligator Plastic Rivet Fasteners are packaged with hinge pin material as complete splice kits for fastening belts 24in (600mm) or 48in (1200mm) wide.
Hinge pin material is available separately in 10ft (3m) and 100ft (30m) coils.
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