Timing pulleys (synchronous pulleys) transmit drive via a timing belt. The belt teeth engage the pulley grooves, so the drive runs without slip and at a constant ratio - like a chain, but more quietly, without lubrication and without dirt. It is a good solution wherever motion synchronisation, cleanliness and low maintenance matter: from 3D printers and CNC axes to heavy industrial drives.
Ozdowski timing pulleys - standard profiles for belts from various manufacturers
We make the pulleys in standardised profiles, so they work with belts of the same profile and pitch from any manufacturer. You can easily replace a worn pulley or build a new drive from ready-made components. We match the material to the task: light anodised aluminium pulleys reduce inertia in high-speed drives, C45 steel copes well with high torques and shocks, and grey cast iron in the largest pulleys dampens vibration. You choose the mounting method yourself - a pilot bore pulley can be matched to any shaft, and a Taper-Lock pulley can be fitted and removed in a few minutes, without machining.
Metric and imperial pitch synchronous pulleys: HTD, T, AT, GT, MXL-XH
The pulleys are divided by pitch type. Metric pitch includes HTD profiles (3M, 5M, 8M, 14M) with a rounded tooth, trapezoidal T and AT profiles to DIN 7721, and pulleys for PolyChain GT belts. Imperial pitch includes trapezoidal MXL, XL, L, H and XH profiles to ISO 5294, found in many older machines. Within a profile you choose the belt width and the mounting method: Pilot bore or Taper-Lock. Belts can be found in the Timing belts category, and bushes - in the Bushes category.
How to choose a timing belt pulley: profile, pitch and width
Start with the belt designation: the pulley must have the same profile and the same pitch. Profiles with a similar pitch, e.g. T5, AT5 and HTD 5M, are not interchangeable because they differ in tooth shape. Then match the pulley width to the belt width, the number of teeth to the required ratio, and finally the shaft mounting method.
Questions and answers: timing pulleys
Does an HTD 8M pulley fit a PolyChain GT 8MGT belt?
No. Both have an 8 mm pitch but a different tooth profile. PolyChain GT belts use pulleys from the PolyChain GT pulleys group.
Timing belt or chain?
A timing belt runs more quietly, needs no lubrication and hardly elongates, so it works well in clean, high-speed drives. A chain copes better with high temperatures, contamination and very low speeds under high loads.
Are timing pulleys available from stock?
Stock availability is shown above the product price and may vary depending on the warehouse.
