Custom Linear Drive Belts for Precision Motion & Flexible Machine Design

Some automation challenges can't be solved with a standard endless belt. When machine builders need long linear travel, custom carriage movement or a drive system tailored to a unique production process, T & AT Series Open Ended Belts provide the flexibility to design around the application rather than the component.

Manufactured from durable thermoplastic polyurethane with high-strength steel tension members, Finer T & AT Series Open Ended Belts deliver accurate synchronous motion for customised linear drive systems. Their precision trapezoidal tooth profile engages positively with matching pulleys to minimise slip, maintain repeatable positioning & support smooth movement across demanding industrial environments.

Whether you're building a packaging line, upgrading a transfer system or maintaining specialised OEM machinery, selecting the correct T or AT Series belt helps improve positioning consistency, simplify maintenance & maximise long-term drive performance. To build a complete drive solution, explore our range of Timing Belt Pulleys that are designed to work with synchronous belt systems.

Successful machinery starts with quality components selected for the right application—a philosophy reflected in A Tool Is Not Just a Tool. It's a Promise..

What Are T & AT Series Open Ended Belts?

T & AT Series Open Ended Belts are synchronous polyurethane timing belts supplied in continuous lengths, allowing machine builders to create customised linear drive systems without being restricted by fixed belt lengths.

Unlike endless timing belts that operate in closed-loop rotary drives, open ended belts are secured using clamp plates or mechanical fixing systems to produce accurate linear movement. Their trapezoidal tooth profile meshes directly with compatible timing pulleys, delivering positive engagement without relying on friction.

Embedded steel tension members provide excellent dimensional stability while helping the belt resist elongation during repeated acceleration, deceleration & reversing movements.

Key Features

✔ Continuous lengths for custom machine design
✔ Thermoplastic polyurethane construction
✔ High-strength steel tension members
✔ Positive synchronous drive
✔ Excellent abrasion resistance
✔ Consistent tooth engagement
✔ Low elongation under load
✔ Smooth repeatable motion

If you're specifying multiple drive components for a new installation, browse our Power Transmission range for complementary products.

Why Choose T & AT Series Open Ended Belts?

Every linear drive has different priorities. Some require long travel distances, while others demand high positioning repeatability or reliable indexing under continuous production. T & AT Series belts provide machine designers with a versatile solution that balances flexibility, durability & motion control.

Advantages include

✔ Custom belt lengths
✔ Excellent positioning repeatability
✔ High tensile strength
✔ Reliable synchronous engagement
✔ Suitable for continuous industrial operation
✔ Strong resistance to wear
✔ Low maintenance requirements
✔ Flexible integration into bespoke machinery

The combination of polyurethane construction & steel reinforcement also helps maintain belt stiffness, making these belts well suited to applications involving repeated start-stop cycles or varying carriage loads.

Common Applications

Because they're manufactured in continuous lengths, T & AT Series Open Ended Belts are widely used wherever machinery requires customised linear travel instead of conventional rotary drive arrangements.

Automated Packaging Equipment

Packaging machinery relies on accurate indexing to position products consistently during filling, sealing, coding & labelling operations.

Linear Transport Systems

Transfer conveyors & shuttle mechanisms use open ended belts to move products smoothly between production stages while maintaining synchronised movement.

Door & Gate Automation

Industrial access systems benefit from positive tooth engagement that provides reliable movement over long operating distances.

Modular Assembly Equipment

Machine builders frequently specify open ended belts when creating flexible automation cells capable of adapting to changing production requirements.

Where precise carriage guidance is equally important, combining the drive system with Linear Bearings helps improve stability, reduce vibration & maintain consistent travel accuracy.

Textile & Converting Machinery

Fabric handling, cutting & converting equipment depends on repeatable indexing to maintain product quality throughout continuous manufacturing.

Electronics & Component Handling

Automated handling systems transporting delicate components require smooth, predictable movement to protect products while maintaining production efficiency.

Product Selection Guide

Choosing the correct T or AT Series belt starts with understanding how the complete linear drive system will perform under real operating conditions.

T Series or AT Series?

Although both belong to the same family, they're suited to different operating requirements.

Selecting the appropriate belt profile helps improve drive performance while reducing unnecessary wear across the entire motion system.

Before installation, accurate sizing is essential. Our Testing & Measurement Tools help verify dimensions before components are assembled.

Expert Tips

A well-designed linear drive depends on much more than selecting the correct belt. Pulley geometry, clamp quality, guide alignment & system rigidity all influence positioning accuracy throughout the machine's operating life.

For dependable performance:

• Match the pulley profile precisely to the belt pitch.

• Use rigid clamp plates that distribute load evenly across the belt.

• Maintain consistent pretension without overloading the tensile members.

• Keep polyurethane belts free from oils, solvents & abrasive contamination.

• Replace worn pulleys when fitting a new belt.

• Inspect belt tracking during routine maintenance to identify early alignment issues.

Engineering Insight: Increasing belt width doesn't automatically improve positioning accuracy. In many linear systems, carriage rigidity, guide alignment & clamp design have a greater influence on repeatability than additional belt width alone.

Preventative maintenance helps preserve drive accuracy long before production problems appear. The Jobsite Doesn't Forgive. We Do. explores how disciplined maintenance practices contribute to reliable equipment performance. If drive components require adjustment during servicing, precision Alignment Tools help verify correct system geometry.