Gates introduces new platform of MICRO-V belts

The next generation platform leverages Gates’ materials science and process engineering capabilities to deliver improved product performance tailored for specific market segments. The combination of newly developed material compounds and product design reduces belt weight by an average of 15% and results in approximately 35% lower bending stiffness. These improvements enable tighter pulley configurations and reduced drive bending losses by up to 30% as compared to existing belt technologies; lower losses result in reduced energy consumption, CO2 emissions and heat generation. Gates belts, including this new platform, are validated to the latest industry standards including the SAE J2432 specification for accessory drive belts, and are put through extensive field trials to confirm performance in real-world conditions. The advanced processes developed to manufacture this product portfolio reduce manufacturing waste and enable use of elastomers which are more environmentally-friendly than the chlorinated compounds frequently used in belt constructions. “The launch of our new platform of MICRO-V® belts broadens our power transmission portfolio and positions us for additional growth in the replacement market,” said Tom Pitstick, CMO and senior vice president of Product Line Management for Gates. “This product launch is another example of our engineering, product management and commercial teams working with our customers to develop application-specific products, and of our commitment to continually bring new innovations to the market. Perhaps most importantly, this new platform will help our channel partners support their customers’ needs and further strengthen the partnerships we have built over many years.” The first family of products from this new MICRO-V® platform is the EXTENDTM series which is specifically designed to meet the performance requirements of customers in emerging markets where the population of vehicles that are in or are entering into the traditional maintenance cycle is growing rapidly. It is launching in Q4 2018 and will be available in a variety of sizes to cover a wide portfolio of vehicles in operation within these markets. Additional MICRO-V® products based off the same platform and manufacturing capability, but with performance levels targeted for developed markets, as well as heavy-duty and first-fit applications, will be launched throughout 2019.