Conti Synchroflex AT20 GEN III 1600

Conti Synchroflex AT20 GEN III 1600 – precise PU timing belt for synchronous power transmission

This AT20 GEN III timing belt is specified with a pitch length of 1600 mm and 80 teeth. The ratio between length and number of teeth is fixed: 1600 mm divided by 20 mm gives exactly 80 teeth. The Conti Synchroflex AT20 GEN III 1600 is supplied as a cast, endless PU belt, so that there is no weld joint in the finished ring. The design is developed for synchronous operation and precise machine movements. The GEN III version is the reinforced high-performance design with red high-performance polyurethane and denser, two-filament steel cord. It should therefore be treated as a separate product series and not as the regular standard version.

Dimensions, profile and number of teeth

• Pitch length: 1600 mm
• Number of teeth: 80
• Tooth profile: AT20 GEN III
• Tooth pitch: 20 mm
• Material: cast polyurethane with steel cord
• Brand: Conti Synchroflex

These specifications can be used as a check against the marking on the old belt or against the machine's spare parts list. The pitch length is not necessarily the same as a measurement across the outside of the belt, and the number of teeth is therefore often the safest additional check. If in doubt, both the belt and timing belt pulleys should be examined before ordering a replacement.

What characterizes the AT20 GEN III profile?

The AT profile has been further developed from the classic T profile. The larger tooth volume provides a higher tooth shear strength, and the profile is designed for a favorable tooth engagement with reduced engagement shocks. This makes the AT series suitable when a drive must be compact and at the same time transmit motion precisely. Continental states that the AT profile can perform up to 50% more than a corresponding T profile, but the actual capacity always depends on width, discs, speed and load profile.

Materials and endless manufacturing

With the cast manufacturing method, the finished belt becomes an exact copy of a precision-machined shape. This is a major reason for the uniform tooth pitch and reproducible length. The steel cord is integrated into the polyurethane and contributes to position and angular precision. The design is suitable for synchronous drives, where a conventional elastic friction belt does not provide the desired repeatability.

Standard, GEN III or DL ​​– this version

The red GEN III construction is not just a color variant. It is developed with higher cord density and a special steel cord construction that provides increased tensile strength, better grooveing and the ability to carry higher loads. The catalog also specifies a temperature range up to +100 °C. Standard and GEN III must therefore be created and selected as separate products, even when the length and profile are the same.

Which drives is the product compatible with?

Continental cites heavy-duty drives, textile machines, printing machines, machine tools and large industrial power transmissions as examples for this profile family. The examples describe the general area of ​​application of the profile, but do not constitute an approval for any specific installation. The final belt width and pretension must be selected based on the transmitted torque, starting and shock loads, operating time, pulley sizes, speed and the number of teeth in simultaneous engagement. For safety-critical or heavily loaded drives, an actual calculation should be made.

Disc geometry and tooth engagement

The pulleys and belt should be considered as a single tooth engagement. Correct AT20 GEN III geometry ensures that the load is distributed across the tooth flanks rather than concentrated on tooth tips or edges. The drive ratio is selected by the number of teeth on the pulleys, while the 80 teeth and 1600 mm pitch length of the belt determine the required combination of pulleys and center distance. When changing the drive, the geometry should be calculated.

Splice, alignment and pre-tensioning

The belt must be able to be placed on the pulleys without force. If it can only be mounted by forcing it over a flange, the center distance or mounting procedure is incorrect. The pulley shafts must be aligned and the flanges must be smooth and undamaged. In the case of multi-shaft or counter-bent drives, the diameter and position of the rollers must be assessed separately. Correct pretensioning reduces the risk of tooth skipping without unnecessarily loading the bearings.

Choosing belt width

The belt width is not written in the product name because the same pitch length is collected on one product page. The starting pu is 16 mm. Integer widths from 16 to 50 mm can be selected on this product page. The original supplier widths for this length are 16, 20, 25, 32 and 50 mm. Other intermediate sizes are offered as cut-to-sizes of the same type of timing belt sleeve when they are within the selection shown. The number of teeth, pitch length and profile do not change when the width is changed.

Wear patterns and troubleshooting

Uniform light polishing of the tooth flanks may be normal, but localised spalling, ctiming baring or severe wear should be investigated. Wear on one edge often indicates misalignment or persistent flange contact. Damage to tooth tips may be due to incorrect profile, foreign bodies or inadequate engagement. If cord becomes visible or the belt has a sharp break, it should not continue in service without assessment.

Operating conditions of PU timing belt

Continental specifies a temperature range of up to +100 °C for the GEN III series. When operating close to the temperature limits, the drive must still be dimensioned according to the specific load and environmental conditions. The service life is not only affected by the material, but also by load peaks, bending, pulley size, alignment and surroundings. Keep the drive clean and do not remove deposits with sharp tools that could damage the teeth. If the belt is operating in chemically exposed areas, food environments, clean rooms or at extreme temperatures, a suitable special design should be considered.

How to identify the correct replacement belt

When replacing a spare part, the marking on the existing belt should be compared with the product name. Check the profile designation, pitch length, number of teeth, design and width. If the text on the belt has worn away, the number of teeth can be counted and the pitch can be assessed by measuring over several teeth. A single external length measurement is less reliable because the nominal length of the timing belt is indicated in the pitch line.

Questions and answers about this timing belt

Is the Conti Synchroflex AT20 GEN III 1600 welded?

No. The Conti Synchroflex series is manufactured as cast, endless timing belts. The belt therefore does not have a welded joint around the circumference. The cast process provides a uniform tooth pitch around the entire belt and a strong bond between the polyurethane and the cast steel cord tension elements.

Conti Synchroflex AT20 GEN III 1600: does the number of teeth change when the belt width is changed?

No. All width choices on this product page have the same pitch length of 1600 mm and the same number of teeth of 80. Only the width of the belt, and thus the price and possible load capacity, changes. The width must still match the pulleys and the technical dimensioning.

Conti Synchroflex AT20 GEN III 1600: can a wider belt always transmit twice as much?

Not necessarily. A larger width provides a more active belt cross-section and can increase the permissible load, but the drive capacity also depends on the profile, number of teeth in mesh, pulley size, speed, load factor and preload. The width should be selected by an overall calculation.

Conti Synchroflex AT20 GEN III 1600: what is the difference between the AT20 GEN III and a GEN III belt?

This product is already GEN III. The reinforced version features high-performance PU and denser, two-filament steel cord construction and is a separate product line from the standard belt.

Conti Synchroflex AT20 GEN III 1600: why is the number of teeth important for spare parts?

The number of teeth links the pitch of the profile to the nominal length of the belt. For this size, 80 teeth at 20 mm pitch gives a length of 1600 mm. It is a simple check that often reveals faults that are not visible by a quick comparison of two loose belts.

Conti Synchroflex AT20 GEN III 1600: how to check if the length is correct?

Count the teeth and check the pitch. 80 teeth times 20 mm gives 1600 mm pitch length. Then compare the profile and design with the marking or the machine's spare parts list. A measurement around the outside of the belt alone is not accurate enough.

How many teeth does the Conti Synchroflex AT20 GEN III 1600 have?

The belt has 80 teeth. The number of teeth is calculated by dividing the pitch length of 1600 mm by the tooth pitch of 20 mm. The result is 80, and this number can be used as an additional check when identifying an existing belt. A different number of teeth means a different pitch length.

Conclusion

Conti Synchroflex AT20 GEN III 1600 is the correct size when the drive requires AT20 GEN III, 1600 mm pitch length and 80 teeth. The belt is cast endless in PU with steel cord and must be used with timing belt pulleys that match the profile. Choose the width according to the technical load and always check the design, alignment and pretension before commissioning.