Running belts for treadmills
Table of Contents
1. Frequently asked questions about running belts
2. The composition of the running belt
3. Selection principle of running belt
4. Running belt performance index
5. Running belt adjustment and refueling
The running belt is an important component that provides the user with support friction and relative displacement contact surface during the operation of the treadmill. A suitable running belt is the guarantee factor for the stable operation of the treadmill and the comfortable running experience for the user.
1. Frequently asked questions about running belts
In consumer feedback, especially when treadmills are used frequently in foreign markets, complaints about the quality of running belts and maintenance requirements account for a considerable part. I learned from relevant treadmill after-sales service personnel that most consumers often cannot solve the quality problems related to running belts by themselves. They may need professional guidance and replacement services from after-sales service personnel.
So, what are the common quality problems with running belts?
Wear and tear: The running belt is usually worn on the inner side of the running, that is, from the warp and weft layers, it is detached and worn, which may eventually lead to the breakage and failure of the running belt. Although some after-sales service providers said that the average service life of the running belt of a home treadmill is about 300 hours. Unfortunately, there is no authoritative statistics to know how long or how many kilometers the service life of a running belt of a certain specification is.
Abnormal sound: Due to the poor handling of the interface, it will collide with the drum during operation and produce an abnormal “dong dong dong” sound.
Slipping: Slipping is more pronounced for heavy users or when stepping on the running belt sharply. Insufficient tension on the running belt, or excessive lubrication, can cause slippage.
Deviation: Usually the running belt is inclined to one side, which may rub against the side strips or meander during running.
Wrinkling: After a period of time, some users reported that the middle of the running belt wrinkled, which made it impossible to continue using it.
Static electricity: Running belts with poor antistatic performance accumulate static high voltage during operation, and the discharge of static electricity is likely to damage the controller and circuit board of the treadmill, resulting in the failure of the whole machine.
2. The composition of the running belt
Different types of treadmills use different structures of running belts
The thickness of the running belt of a household treadmill is mostly 1.4mm to 2.0mm, and usually adopts a single-cloth double-glue or double-cloth double-glue structure. The thickness of the running belt of light commercial treadmills and commercial treadmills is mostly 2.0mm~4.5mm. If the commercial treadmill is made of PU material, most of them are 1.8mm thick.
The structure of the running belt is usually distinguished by several layers of cloth and several layers of glue: the running belt with a thickness of 1.4-1.5mm uses single cloth and double glue; the running belt with a thickness of 1.6mm-1.8mm uses single cloth and double glue and double cloth and double glue Both are used; running belts with a thickness of more than 2.0mm use double cloth and double glue; running belts with a thickness of more than 4.5mm may need to use three cloth and three types of glue.
There are three production processes for running belts: laminating process, the coating and scraping process, and calendering process.
Laminating process: hence the name Siyi, the running belt cloth, and the PVC coil are laminated together at 120 degrees to make the running belt master coil. Advantages: low cost of production equipment, high production efficiency, and low overall cost; Disadvantages: the peeling force will be poor, and it may delaminate after a long time of use;
Coating and scraping process: Scrape PVC resin 180 degrees on the running belt cloth to make it into the running belt master coil. Advantages: good peeling force, low cost of production equipment, easy to adjust when changing colors; Disadvantages: low production efficiency, and may crack after long-term use;
Calendering process: After extruding PVC resin, it is melted with the running belt cloth at 180 degrees after multi-roller calendering, and made into the running belt master coil. Advantages: good peeling force, high production efficiency, product life is more than 30% better; Disadvantages: the cost of production equipment is 4 times higher.
The material composition of the running belt
The running belt structure is divided into base cloth plus PVC rubber or PU rubber. The base fabric material is PET plus PET monofilament, also known as fishing thread (the soft cloth part has no PET monofilament); the main material of the PVC glue formula is: PVC and plasticizer (DOP can only pass ROHS, DINP or DOTP can pass REACH)
3. Selection principle of running belt
Length, width, and thickness specifications
The length and width specifications of the running belt are usually determined by the structure of the treadmill. The provisions of the European EN957-6 standard have made clear regulations (see the figure below). For example, for a class B treadmill, the width of the running belt should be greater than 400mm; if the maximum speed reaches 16 km/H, the effective length of the running belt should be greater than 1300mm.
As for the thickness, household treadmills usually range from 1.4mm to 1.8mm, while commercial treadmills use thicker (2~3mm) specifications. Generally speaking, the user experience of a thick running belt is much better.
However, the thicker the running belt, the better. If the design places too much emphasis on soft comfort and uses an extra-thick running belt, the motor may be overloaded due to insufficient horsepower and improper matching with the rollers, which will shorten the service life.
running belt texture
In addition to ensuring that the appearance of the running belt does not warp, the interface is smooth, and the trimming is neat, there are also different surface textures to choose from.
The current mainstream running belt patterns are grass pattern, diamond pattern, golf pattern (ellipse pattern in Taiwan), tire pattern (also called cross pattern) and Siegling’s CS pattern (thinner than grass pattern). The coefficient of friction of these textures can reach international or domestic standards. Customers can choose according to the consumption habits and preferences of the local market. In addition, the grass pattern is more convenient for cleaning and maintenance. Most of the commercial treadmills of well-known brands in the world use shallow textures such as CS patterns that are easier to clean.
Matching of running belt and roller
In the overall design and configuration of the treadmill, improper matching will shorten the life of the running belt and the normal operation of the treadmill power system. For example, the thickness of the walking belt should match the diameter of the rollers,
Judging from the actual situation of market feedback: Try to use a running belt with a thickness of less than 1.6MM for the Φ38 roller, and the width should not exceed 400MM. For a 2.0MM thick running belt, try to use rollers larger than Φ46. 2.5MM thick running belt, try to use rollers larger than Φ55;
4. Running belt performance index
Extensibility: usually manufacturers use static pressure tests or the method of measuring the length of the running belt before and after the actual operation of the treadmill to evaluate. The running belt of mechanical running or the running belt of 10KM/H and below the electric treadmill should be less than 10‰ stretch rate; the running belt of 12KM/H and above electric treadmill should be less than 8‰ stretch rate.
l Running belt tensile strength
The body of 1.4mm should not be less than 180kgf, and the joint should not be less than 100kgf;
The body of 1.6mm should not be less than 200kgf, and the joint should not be less than 110kgf;
The body of 1.8mm should not be less than 250kgf, and the joint should not be less than 140kgf;
The body above 2.0 should not be less than 280kgf, and the joint should not be less than 180kgf.
Static value of bottom material
Use a multimeter to test the resistance value of the electrostatic yarn at a distance of 1cm at the bottom of the running belt. Some large brands require that the resistance value be controlled at 70KΩ~170KΩ. In addition, when testing the highest speed with an electrostatic meter, the static voltage in the middle of the running belt should be less than 2KV.
* The above is the implementation standards of some manufacturers, and there is no unified consensus standard in the industry.
Conditional treadmill assembly factories will take samples for durability tests in order to ensure the stability and reliability of the running belt quality. Usually the factory’s running belt durability test is included in the type test plan of the whole machine, and some factories that pay attention to the quality assurance of incoming materials use customized equipment to conduct special tests, that is, apply sufficient tension on the running belt, and then match it with a motor Carry out a long-term service life test with the corresponding roller.
5. Running belt adjustment and refueling
On the assembly line of the treadmill factory, workers will perform the actions of adjusting the center of the running belt, controlling the proper tension, and lubricating with silicone oil. However, there may also be omissions or non-standard operating procedures, resulting in the running belt not being properly adjusted before leaving the factory. Like this, will bring potential hidden danger to consumer’s use.
If you find that the running belt is slipping or running sideways, you can use the hexagonal wrench attached to the product to adjust it at the adjustment hole of the rear tailstock. For specific operation, please refer to the product manual.
If the running belt makes an abnormally dry friction sound of “rustling”, check the lubrication between the inner side of the running belt and the running board, and consider adding silicone oil. Usually a small bottle of silicone oil is also included with the product.
Some treadmills are now designed with an automatic refueling system to make the refueling process easier and more convenient. But the more silicone oil is not the better, too much silicone oil will cause the running belt to slip. Usually the amount of silicone oil is 20ml/M2, but the specific amount should be taken into account the actual use of the running board and running belt.
If you find that the running belt is obviously wrinkled, worn or other phenomena during use, and you cannot solve it by yourself, you should stop using the treadmill and call the after-sales hotline of the brand dealer to request service support.
6. Future development trend of treadmill running belt
l Smoother and more beautiful joint process.
l The softer and more elastic running belt improves the cushioning and comfort of the running platform.
l Development and use of a refueling-free running belt.
This design can avoid the pain point of users forgetting to add silicone oil or not knowing the frequency and dosage of silicone oil.
l Promotion of PU running belts on commercial machines.
The PU running belt not only has a longer service life, but also has better extensibility, and is also more environmentally friendly. The application of PU running belt can reduce the frequency of replacing the running belt and adjusting the rollers.
Written by: JOYEN
The Exporter and Manufacturer of Fitness Equipment since 2003
Welcome OEM ODM
www.treadmillspinbike.com
