摘要 |
Method and apparatus for dynamic tracking of a belt as it is built on two rotatable drums separated by a center-to-center distance, especially during the cording process. In one embodiment, both edges of a belt component are temporarily equipped with corded edge binding which is engaged in a gap formed between upper and lower tracking wheels to provide proper alignment of the belt during the cording process and subsequent building steps. In a first tracking assembly, one pair of tracking wheels operates to constrain and align one edge of the belt and another pair, transversely spaced from the first pair, operates to constrain and align the second edge of the belt in the upper span of the belt immediately prior to the belt being positioned on a first drum. In each wheel pair, the axes are biased toward one another and slightly biased in the direction of travel of the belt. A second tracking assembly is positioned to constrain and align the belt immediately prior to the second drum in the lower span of the belt.
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