Conti Synchroflex T5 990

Conti Synchroflex T5 990 – wear-resistant PU timing belt for standardized timing belt drives

The Conti Synchroflex T5 990 is an endless, cast polyurethane timing belt with 198 teeth, 5 mm tooth pitch and a pitch length of 990 mm. It is intended for synchronous power transmission, where the driving and driven shafts must follow a fixed tooth ratio without the slippage known from friction-based belt drives. The pitch length is the nominal length measurement in the belt's cord line and is therefore the measurement that must be compared with the existing belt, the machine's spare part data and the installed timing belt pulleys. This is the standard version in the specified profile. It must not be confused with a possible GEN III version or a double-sided DL belt with the same pitch length.

Dimensions, profile and number of teeth

• Pitch length: 990 mm
• Number of teeth: 198
• Tooth profile: T5
• 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.

What characterizes the T5 profile?

As a classic metric profile, the T-series is used in many machines where reliable synchronous movement is important. The tooth shape is trapezoidal, and the number in the profile designation indicates the tooth pitch in millimeters. The correct washer must therefore both have the same pitch and be manufactured for the T-profile. The wrong profile can lead to poor engagement, noise and rapid wear.

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.

The construction behind this variant

The standard version is selected when the supplier's article data does not specify GEN III or DL. This is an important product distinction, because different versions can share both profile and length. Therefore, on this product page, it is the standard version that is described. The belt width can be selected, but the basic construction and tooth geometry are not changed.

Which drives is the product compatible with?

The profile series is used in practice for tasks such as office machines, household appliances, positioning drives and control drives. Common to these machines is the need for a fixed transmission ratio and controlled tooth meshing. A timing belt can transmit both force and position, but the capacity cannot be assessed based on length alone. Width, profile version, wrap angle and load cycle are among the data that must be included in the selection.

From basic width to desired 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 6 mm. Integer widths from 6 to 50 mm can be selected on this product page. The original supplier widths for this length are 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25, 32 and 50 mm. Other intermediate sizes are offered as cut-to-size versions 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.

Gear ratio, enclosure and tooth contact

The number of teeth on the pulleys affects both the gear ratio, deflection and how many belt teeth carry the load. A small pulley may be necessary in a compact drive, but it should not be selected without considering the minimum profile requirements and any counter deflection. Use timing belt pulleys with 5 mm pitch and the correct T5 tooth shape, and check that the flanges do not damage the belt edge.

Correct splice in the timing belt tensioner

When installing, the cord pullers must be protected against kinks and local pressure damage. The belt must not be pinched with pliers or a screwdriver, and it should not be folded sharply. Check that the pulleys have the same pitch and profile as the belt and that they are not worn out. A stable drive is achieved through the right combination of alignment, wrapping and calculated pretension.

How to identify the correct replacement belt

The product's 198 teeth provide a convenient length check. Multiplying the number of teeth by 5 mm gives a pitch length of 990 mm. If an existing belt has a different number of teeth, it is not the same size, even though it may look almost the same length. Also check that the teeth on the pulleys match the T5; the same pitch number alone is not always sufficient.

What does belt wear indicate?

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.

Operating environment and maintenance

The standard material is specified for ambient temperatures from -30 °C to +80 °C. Applications close to the limits, especially below -10 °C or above +50 °C, may require special sizing. The service life is not only affected by the material, but also by load peaks, bending, pulley size, alignment and environment. Keep the drive clean and do not remove deposits with sharp tools that could damage the teeth. If the belt operates in chemically exposed areas, food environments, clean rooms or at extreme temperatures, a suitable special design should be considered.

Technical questions about the product

Conti Synchroflex T5 990: can the belt be shortened or assembled to a different length?

No. This is a cast endless timing belt with a fixed pitch length. It can be cut to width within the available options, but the circumference and number of teeth cannot be changed. If the length needs to be changed, a different cast belt size is required.

Conti Synchroflex T5 990: 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 T5 990: does this PU timing belt need to be lubricated?

No. The timing belt is designed for lubrication-free operation. Oil or grease should not be added to reduce noise as this may mask an alignment, pretension or worn pulley problem. Instead, keep the tooth mesh clean and check the cause of any abnormal noise.

Conti Synchroflex T5 990: 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 T5 990: can the belt be installed by pressing it over the flange of the pulley?

This should be avoided. The belt should be installed by adjusting the center distance or following the correct installation procedure for the machine. Forcing it over a flange can damage the cord pullers, teeth or belt edge. After installation, the pulleys must be parallel and the pretension must be correct.

Conti Synchroflex T5 990: how to check if the length is correct?

Count the teeth and check the pitch. 198 teeth times 5 mm gives 990 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.

Conti Synchroflex T5 990: 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 990 mm and the same number of teeth of 198. 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 T5 990: what does the pitch length of 990 mm mean?

The pitch length is the nominal length measured in the belt cord line where the steel cord tension members are located. It is not the same as a random outside circumference measurement. For this belt, 990 mm pitch length corresponds to 198 teeth with 5 mm tooth pitch.

Conclusion

In summary, this is a Conti Synchroflex PU timing belt with a fixed geometry of 5 mm pitch, 198 teeth and 990 mm pitch length. The width is selected separately, but does not change the length or number of teeth. A safe replacement requires that the entire designation and the specific version match the machine documentation.