Conti Synchroflex AT5 GEN III 860

Conti Synchroflex AT5 GEN III 860 – durable PU timing belt with stable tooth pitch

This AT5 GEN III timing belt is specified with a pitch length of 860 mm and 172 teeth. The ratio between length and number of teeth is fixed: 860 mm divided by 5 mm gives exactly 172 teeth. The Conti Synchroflex AT5 GEN III 860 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 a denser, two-filament steel cord. It should therefore be treated as a separate product series and not as the regular standard version.

Product data and fixed targets

• Pitch length: 860 mm
• Number of teeth: 172
• Tooth profile: AT5 GEN III
• Tooth pitch: 5 mm
• Material: cast polyurethane with steel cord
• Brand: Conti Synchroflex

The list gathers the information normally used to identify a timing belt: nominal length, number of teeth, profile, material and make. It is important to read all the information together. Two belts can have the same pitch length but be incompatible if the tooth profile or tooth pitch is different. Conversely, a different width does not change the number of teeth as long as the profile and pitch length are the same.

Why the correct profile is crucial

The metric AT geometry has trapezoidal teeth with a larger tooth volume than the standard T profile. The purpose is to distribute the load advantageously in the tooth mesh and achieve higher tooth strength without making the drive unnecessarily large. The profile requires suitable AT timing belt pulleys with the same pitch; a visual similarity to other profiles is not evidence of compatibility.

Materials and endless manufacturing

The endless PU construction combines low dead weight with high longitudinal rigidity. The steel cord tension elements are cast into the belt and are not intended to be exposed, damaged or sharply broken during installation. The wear resistance of the polyurethane and the strong bond to the cord are central to the belt's lifespan. Correct handling is therefore just as important as the correct choice of profile and length.

The execution must be correctly identified

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?

The application examples in the catalogue include machine tools, pu , textile machines and positioning and conveying systems. This shows that the profile can be used in both power transmission and motion control. However, the specific belt must only be finally selected when the machine's torque, speed, center distance and pulley geometry are known. When simply replacing a spare part, the safest method is usually to copy the documented profile, length, design and width.

Operating environment and maintenance

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 timing belt operates without lubrication, and oil or grease should therefore not be added to dampen noise. The polyurethane is described as resistant to aging as well as simple oils, grease and petrol and to certain acids and bases. In the case of permanent contact, cleaning chemicals or unknown media, material compatibility should be specifically clarified.

From basic width to desired width

This product line has been created with 6 mm as the base width because this is the width of the selected item and thus the SKU used for inventory control. Integer widths from 6 to 50 mm can be selected on this product page. The widths that appear as standard widths in the supplier data are marked separately in the options. The price surcharge is calculated as a percentage of the base width: doubling the width results in a surcharge of 100%. The technically necessary width should be selected according to the load and not only according to the price.

Gear ratio, enclosure and tooth contact

The tooth profile of the timing belt pulleys must correspond to the AT5 GEN III of the belt, and their pitch must be 5 mm. The transmission ratio is determined by the ratio of the number of teeth of the pulleys, not by the width of the belt. A larger pulley usually reduces the bending load, while a very small pulley gives more bending per revolution. The angle of engagement and the number of teeth in mesh must be sufficient for the current load.

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.

Checking teeth, back and edges

Early damage is often caused by conditions surrounding the belt rather than the material itself. Bent shafts, worn tooth grooves, foreign objects and incorrect pretensioning can all shorten the service life. In the event of a belt break, the pulleys should therefore be cleaned and inspected before the new belt is fitted. Also check whether load conditions or start-stop cycles have changed since the original design.

Compare with the existing 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conti Synchroflex AT5 GEN III 860: what happens if the discs are not aligned?

Misalignment can cause the belt to wander towards a flange, causing edge pressure, heat and wear damage. It can also affect tooth engagement and reduce service life. Check both the parallelism of the shafts and the alignment of the pulleys.

Conti Synchroflex AT5 GEN III 860: 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 860 mm and the same number of teeth of 172. 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 AT5 GEN III 860: why is GEN III not merged with the standard version?

GEN III has a different material construction and capacity data than the standard belt. The higher cord density, two-filament construction and high-performance polyurethane make it a separate product line, even though the pitch length and tooth profile may be identical.

Conti Synchroflex AT5 GEN III 860: what should be checked after the first run-in?

Check that the belt runs centrally, that there is no abnormal heat or noise, and that the edges are not constantly rubbing against the flanges. Also look for signs of too low or too high pretension. If the drive requires a re-tension check, the machine manufacturer's procedure must be followed.

Conti Synchroflex AT5 GEN III 860: can the belt be turned upside down on the pulleys?

The standard version is single-sided with teeth on the inside and a smooth back. It must run with the teeth in the corresponding tooth grooves; the back is not an alternative tooth side.

Conti Synchroflex AT5 GEN III 860: why is 6 mm chosen as the basic width?

6 mm is the width of the supplier item whose SKU is used as the main product's stock reference. Other widths are handled as choices under the same product because they are cut from the same type of timing belt sleeve. The base width also determines the percentage-based pricing in the webshop.

Is the Conti Synchroflex AT5 GEN III 860 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.

Conclusion

The product brings together the specified AT5 GEN III profile and length on one side, so that the appropriate width can be selected without creating a separate item for each cut. The main technical data is 860 mm pitch length and 172 teeth. If in doubt about load or pulley compatibility, the drive should be calculated before ordering the belt.