Endless belt with automatic steering control

摘要

Automatic tracking of an endless belt, such as a coated abrasive belt, is provided by fitting the belt with at least one permanent magnet, preferably of a flexible, rubber bonded sheet-like variety such as is conveniently adhered to the backside of the belt. One or more magnetic sensors positioned transversely to a longitudinal line defined by the path of the magnets as the belt is driven between rollers detect the magnets in the event the belt exceeds an allowed extent of transverse movement, in which event a control signal is generated which activates a steering mechanism causing the belt to move in the opposite transverse direction.