TL;DR
Drive belt slippage or noise is usually a worn or stretched belt or a misaligned pulley. Check belt tension and pulley alignment before ordering a replacement.
What you might see
- slapping or squealing sound from the drive area
- cylinder speed inconsistent at run speed
- belt dust accumulating below the drive enclosure
- speed alarm from the cylinder encoder
Likely causes
Belt stretched beyond the tensioner adjustment range from extended service
Belt wear on one section from a pulley misalignment causing edge loading
Pulley misalignment from a shifted motor mount after vibration
Foreign fiber material wrapped around a pulley, creating imbalance and noise
Required tools
- Torque wrench and socket set
- Straightedge for pulley alignment
- Replacement drive belt
- Fiber removal pick tool
Safety first
- Lock out the main drive motor before opening the drive guard. The belt is under tension and can snap if cut or released suddenly.
- The drive area accumulates fiber dust. Keep the area clear and avoid ignition sources near the fiber accumulation.
Procedure
- 1
Stop the machine and lock out the main drive motor.
- 2
Open the drive guard access panel and inspect the belt surface for cracking, glazing, fraying, or missing cog teeth.
- 3
Check belt deflection in the middle of the belt span by pressing with a finger. Excessive deflection beyond the manufacturer specification indicates a stretched belt.[1]
- 4
Check pulley alignment using a straightedge across both pulley faces. Misalignment greater than 1 mm requires adjustment.
- 5
Inspect all pulleys for fiber or debris wrapped around the hub. Remove any foreign material with a pick tool.
- 6
If the belt is worn or stretched beyond the tensioner range, replace the belt with the correct size and type per the machine specifications.[1]
- 7
Close the drive guard, restore power, and run the machine slowly for 2 minutes. Listen for noise and check the belt tension again after the first thermal cycle.
Sources
Mayer & Cie Mayer Relanit Knitting Machine (Circular / Flat) general technical documentation, Mayer & Cie
Mayer & Cie circular knitting machine general drive and belt maintenance procedures (general)
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