CONTI-V FO PIONEER Changes to CONTI VX ADVANCE
The top-performance EPDM V-belts known for their blue design are now available in a black design with the new name.
Black Is the New Blue
Technically and performance-wise, these belts are unchanged. The materials used remain the same.
As we have already reported in previous newsletters and articles on our website, the Continental CONTINUITY project is unifying the belt names and performance series globally across the entire ContiTech portfolio:
CONTI-V FO PIONEER V-belts were the only belts in the ContiTech range that lacked a corporate design, featuring a black rubber color with yellow or white printing.
In the case of the new CONTI VX ADVANCE belts, there is a significant visual change only at this stage. By using a different color of the outer cover fabric, the previously blue belt backs, the most visible part of the belts when fitted in the drive systems, turn black. The design of their printing will also be new.
High-end EPDM V-belts in the TYMA CZ Eshop
In the Eshop offer we will of course differentiate between blue and black versions of EPDM belts. You can therefore recognize them simply by the picture and the name.
The range of manufactured sizes will be expanded:
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For all profiles, belts up to 6,850 mm in length can be produced (the previous maximum was 5,000 mm).
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New dimensions in 8VX profile will be added
This is an interesting extension of the application possibilities for transmissions with the highest power outputs even in the hundreds of kilowatts.
Overview Table of the Profiles Offered and the Range of Manufactured Lengths
| Profile | Length Range |
|---|---|
| XPZ/3VX | 512–3,550 mm * |
| XPA | 590–4,000 mm * |
| XPB/5VX | 1,000–5,000 mm * |
| XPC | 1,900–5,000 mm * |
| 8VX | Custom made * |
* All profiles will be available for custom order up to 6,850 mm.
Supplies of EPDM V-Belts from TYMA CZ
According to information from the manufacturer, the production of new black belts CONTI VX ADVANCE started in the first quarter of this year.
As we have already described above, the blue CONTI-V FO PIONEER and black CONTI VX ADVANCE belts have exactly the same characteristics. There is no need to change the machine construction, the mounting method, the preload setting or the operating method.
What belts will I receive?
For Eshop orders, it’s simple – you can tell what color the belt is by the name of the item (CONTI-V FO PIONEER are blue, CONTI VX ADVANCE are black).
For orders outside the Eshop, will first deplete the existing stock of blue belts and gradually replace them with black belts based on new deliveries. During this transitional period, mixed deliveries of blue and black belts may occur.
While these belts are functionally fully interchangeable, we will implement stock and distribution measures to ensure that you are always informed before confirming your order about which version of the belts we will send you.
The accurate fulfillment of your orders is our highest priority.
History of EPDM Belts from ContiTech
First Generation: the CONTI-V FO PIONEER
More than 10 years ago, in 2013, we received the first ContiTech FO PIONEER belts. At that time, it was an absolute breakthrough in the possibilities of using V-belts. The fundamental innovation that Continental as the first V-belt manufacturer made at that time was the use of an EPDM rubber compound. Unlike the original rubber materials, this synthetic rubber compound has a significantly higher temperature resistance, up to 130 °C.
Our first experience with ContiTech FO PIONEER:
“In 2013, we dealt with a request from a bus manufacturer to fix a problem with belt cracking and low durability of the belts for the air conditioning compressor drive. It was reported that the previously used NBR rubber belts only had a service life of less than one year. The cracked belts were completely hardened, had cracked sides and a bottom rubber section that was easy to break even by hand as the rubber had completely lost its elasticity.
After analysis and measurements, we concluded that this damage to the belts was clearly due to excessive heat. The temperature in the engine compartment was as high as 80 °C, and to this had to be added the temperature generated by the operation of the belts – i.e. engagement, slippage and alternate bending. The resulting temperature of the belt itself exceeded by far the maximum resistance of the original belts, which was 90 °C.
It was at this point that we first utilized ContiTech CONTI-V FO PIONEER EPDM belts in a prototype application. The difference in temperature resistance was so high that even after several years of operation, the belts did not fail due to hardening after excessive heat stress,” recalls Ing. Bohumil Kaplan, one of the founders and current CEO of TYMA CZ.
Second Generation: the CONTI-V FO PIONEER
Another milestone was the introduction of the second generation of CONTI-V FO PIONEER belts in 2018, which we have encountered in the ContiTech portfolio so far.
The upgraded belts have an optimized tooth shape to ensure flexibility even when using external tension pulleys. A more durable, fiber-reinforced EPDM rubber compound has been used. The transmitted power has increased by approximately 5.5 % compared to the first generation belts. The special tensile fibers compensate for the loss of preload caused by temperature fluctuations during operation.
These belts are described as maintenance-free in many applications. At the same time, the new EPDM material composition has made them the first V-belts with reduced PAH content, thus meeting health and environmental requirements even in long-term operation.
When replacing existing classic V-belts with CONTI-V FO PIONEER belts, significant energy savings are achieved.
Third Generation: the CONTI VX ADVANCE
The new CONTI VX ADVANCE V-belt, like the previous CONTI-V FO PIONEER, will be most often used in compressors, construction machines, chop saws, fans, blowers or pumps.
It is designed for the highest power transmission, is highly heat resistant, meets the electrical conductivity requirements of ISO 1813 and is manufactured with reduced PAH content.
