Industrial Electronics

Hilger u. Kern
 TRUMMETER
Precision instrument for
measuring belt tension

A belt drive achieves its maximum life span when it

is configured specifically for the application, the belt

is perfectly tensioned and the pulleys are precisely

aligned.

The TRUMMETER is an electronic measuring

Measuring
Variabel, kompakt...
tension... instrument that consists of a measuring probe and

a microprocessor and is used for measuring the belt

tension and checking the strand force of a belt drive.

The measurement result is displayed in Hertz,

Newtons or Pounds Force. This result can be

compared with the set-point of the belt tension.

Drive-belt suppliers list this set-point value in Hertz

or Newtons. It depends on the characteristics of the

drive system. Alternatively, it can be also calculated

according to the formula:

540 x P x 1.3
F = + k x v2 [ Newton ]
z x v
P = Engine power kW
z = Number of belts
v = Belt speed = D x n / 19100
D = Effective diameter of the small disc in mm
n = Number of revolutions of the small disc (rpm)
k x v = Centrifugal force (relevant for number
2

of revolutions > 800 rpm)

k = Belt weight in kg/m according to table
(for one belt)
Measuring the belt tension [Hz] Measuring procedure

The belt frequency can be measured only when 1. Switch on the TRUMMETER.

the drive has been shut down and is stationary.

2. Tap the drive belt so that it begins to oscillate
Whilst still fitted, the taut drive belt must be tapped at it’s natural frequency.
in order to make it oscillate at it’s natural frequency.
3. Hold the measurement probe approximately at
This static natural frequency is then measured by
the centre of the free strand length at a distance
the probe with the aid of pulsed light. Care must
of between 3 and 20 mm above the drive belt.
be taken to ensure the light is reflected sufficiently

by the belt. 4. Successful measurement is acknowledged by an

acoustic signal and the indication “Measurement”

The measured values are displayed in Hertz [Hz].
appears on the display.
It’s not necessary to enter the belt masses and

lengths. 5. The measured value is displayed in Hz.

Measuring the strand force [N], [lbf] Switching value display mode

To calculate the strand force, values for the The measured values can also be displayed in

frequency, the belt mass, and the belt length Newtons or in Pounds Force. Please refer to the

are entered into the microcomputer of the section entitled “Menu structure”.

TRUMMETER. The strand force is calculated by

the computer and compared with the specified

Note
value defined when the drive was designed.
The measurement position is always at the longest
The microcomputer calculates the strand force
part of the belt drive between 2 pulleys.
using the formula:

T = 4 x m x L2 x f2 or
bzw.
f =f = 冑 T
4 x m x L2

T = strand
Trumkraft
force
in N
in N
m = lineare
linear belt
Riemenmasse
mass in kg/min kg/m
(siehe Tabelle
(compare tableRiemenmassen)
„Belt masses“)
L = length
Länge of
des
the
freien
free Riementrums
belt strand in m
in Meter
f = gemessene
natural frequency
Eigenfrequenz
of the freedes
belt
freien Riemens
measured in Hzin Hz
Mounting

After mounting, the belt length will extend within Attention! Newton or Pounds Force calculations

1 hour. This is why it makes sense to adjust the have a square factor higher error result

strand force with 30 % more and to repeat the ( T = 4 · m · L² · f² )!

measurement after 1 hour. In addition to the

calculated strand force, consider the limit of

CE Confirmation and WEEE:
the radial load of the bearings.
The belt tensionmeter TRUMMETER is made by
Pulley radial load F = 2 x strand force of the belt.
Hilger u. Kern GmbH in Germany. We confirm that

it is designed and manufactured in accordance with

Note
the EMC directive 2004/108/EG.

Measurement deviations of up to +/- 10 % over

Hilger u. Kern is registered with no. DE 91093691
several measurements taken on the same drive belt
following the EC – directive of 27.1.2003 on waste
are not normally caused by a measurement error
electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
or fault in the unit. In most cases, measurement

deviations are due to the mechanical tolerances

of the drive systems.

Troubleshooting

If despite careful preparations no measurement Either no or low measuring values are displayed

results are displayed, this may be due to one of despite the drive belt being correctly tensioned.

the following reasons:

It may be the case that the light from the measuring

1. The drive belt is oscillating below the minimum probe has not been reflected sufficiently.

measurement limit of 10 Hz. ➔ To improve reflection, affix a piece of light-

➔ Tighten the belt or, if the strand length is very coloured adhesive tape to the belt or slightly

long and open, support the belt in order to moisten the belt at the measuring point.

shorten the strand length. Enter the new belt

The distance between the drive belt and the
length before repeating measurement.
measuring probe should be between 3 and 20 mm.

2. The unit cannot be switched On. See sketch for positioning.

➔ The battery must be exchanged when

the display shows “Low Bat”.

3. The unit will automatically switch itself OFF after

pauses longer than 8 minutes.

Belt masses

To measure the belt mass precisely, we recommend that you weigh the drive belt and then recalculate this

weight based on a belt length of 1 metre. See weight button. The set point value can be taken from the list

below. If your belt type is not listed you may weigh the belt and calculate the weight per meter.

.
Ribbed V-belts PJ = 0.082 PL = 0.320 kg/m per 10 ribs
PM = 1.100
V-belts SPZ = 0.074 SPA = 0.123 kg/m per belt
SPB = 0.195 SPC = 0.377

10 = 0.064 13 = 0.109 kg/m per belt

17 = 0.196 20 = 0.266
22 = 0.324 25 = 0.420
32 = 0.668 40 = 0.958
Power belts SPZ = 0.120 SPA = 0.166 kg/m per rib
SPB = 0.261 SPC = 0.555

3V/9J = 0.120 5V/15J = 0.252 kg/m per rib

8V/25J = 0.693
Polyurethane T 2.5 = 0.015 T 5 = 0.024 kg/m per 10 mm width
timing belts T 10 = 0.048 T 20 = 0.084

AT 3 = 0.023 AT 5 = 0.034 kg/m per 10 mm width

AT 10 = 0.063 AT 20 = 0.106

Technical data
Measuring range 10 up to 800 Hz
Digital sampling error <1%
Indication error +/- 1 Hz
Total error <5%
Nominal temp. +20 °C
Operating temp. +10 °C ... +50 °C
Shipping temp. -5 °C ... +50 °C
Casing Plastic (ABS)
Dimensions, unit 80 x 126 x 37 mm
Dimensions, case 226 x 178 x 50 mm
Display 2-line LCD, 16 char./line
Languages 10

Input range:
– free strand length up to 9.99 m
– belt mass up to 9.999 kg/m
Power supply 9-V battery
Menu structure
Default setting:
Hz, German, SI

display of
software version
display
“process busy“
when measurement
successful
measurement “LOW-BAT“ display when
mode battery voltage < 8 V

set set set display mode and

strand length using belt mass using “display Hz/N“ confirm with ENTER:
ARROW UP/DOWN ARROW UP/DOWN display mode Hz/N/lbf if US set

“language“ set language using

ARROW UP/DOWN
confirm with ENTER

set international or US
SI: m, kg/m, N
“SI/US“
US: inch, lbs/foot, lbf
confirm with ENTER

“exit menue“

Display
Buttons on the
membrane keyboard
Displays measured and
calculated values in Belt mass Strand length Enter
• German
• Portugese
• English
• Swedish
• Italian
• Norwegian
• French
• Danish
• Spanish
• Finnish
Arrow UP Arrow DOWN On/Off

Measuring probe

Measures the natural frequency

of the taut, free belt with the aid
of pulsed light
Scope of delivery

The TRUMMETER is supplied in a strong plastic

case. Included in the scope of delivery are 2

measuring probes and a 9-V battery.

Product advantages

• Exact measurement of the belt tensioning force

• Exact calculation of the strand force

Variabel,
...with precision
kompakt...
• Necessary for recording in accordance with

DIN EN ISO 9001ff

• Operator prompts and measured value displays

in 10 languages

• Simple and safe operation

• Compact and handy to use

Hilger u. Kern / Dopag Group

Hilger u. Kern GmbH DOPAG Dosiertechnik The Hilger u. Kern / Dopag Group, with more than 300 employees,
und Pneumatik AG
8 subsidiaries and 24 distributors, is one of the leading manufacturers
Käfertaler Straße 253 Langackerstrasse 25
68167 Mannheim 6330 Cham of metering and mixing systems in the world for plural component
Deutschland Schweiz
polymers and single component media such as greases, oils and pastes.
+49 621 3705-0 +41 41 7855-757
+49 621 3705-200 +41 41 7855-700 For more than 30 years the group has developed systems and

info@hilger-kern.de info@dopag.ch
components to suit your individual needs.
www.hilger-kern.com www.dopag.com
Hilger u. Kern GmbH in Mannheim, with its Drive Engineering, Metering

Antriebstechnik Systems, Industrial Electronics, Vibration Technology and Spray Technology

+49 621 3705-316
+49 621 3705-403 divisions, is one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality and innovative
antriebstechnik@hilger-kern.de
technical capital goods in Germany.

© Hilger u. Kern / Dopag Group - Subject to alterations for the purpose of technical progress - ® Registered trademark DOPAG - 2010.12
Dosiertechnik
+49 621 3705-263
+49 621 3705-271
dosiertechnik@hilger-kern.de

Industrieelektronik
+49 621 3705-294
+49 621 3705-402
industrieelektronik@hilger-kern.de

Schwingungstechnik
+49 621 3705-249
+49 621 3705-402
schwingungstechnik@hilger-kern.de

Spritztechnik
+49 621 3705-293
+49 621 3705-271
spritztechnik@hilger-kern.de