The story of ERO Joint® products began in 2009.
We set out to design "pin joints" for polyurethane timing belts without drilling into the teeth.
Although demand for this type of product is limited, we were convinced that offering our customers practical, high-performance solutions for rapid belt assembly would be a considerable asset.
Drilling is not easy, the drills become deformed and the width of the hole is necessarily limited.
Several processes have been tested for this purpose, including a molding process patented in 2010.
This process and its variants enable us to produce circular perforations and other shapes in wide belts.
We have thus developed the ERO Joint® mechanical joining system for polyurethane timing belts, wide polyurethane timing belts and positive drive food-grade monoblock belts (PosiClean, FlatClean, etc.).
ERO Joint® positive drive monoblock conveyor belt
The first patent was supplemented by a second in 2011, extending the process to textile ply conveyor belts and describing a method for reinforcing the splice.
So, by the end of 2011, we had a powerful new system for the rapid assembly of belts and conveyor belts for a wide range of products.
ERO Joint® conveyor belt
The ERO Joint® brand was launched in 2013.
That same year, our partner Gates contacted us to collaborate on a project for Renault: Renault's maintenance department needed a quick-fit belt to restart production as quickly as possible after a belt break. At this stage, Renault is hoping to restart production quickly, and replace a standard, closed belt during overnight maintenance. We are developing the ERO Joint® quick-fit system for Gates' Poly Chain®. We optimize the shape of the joint fingers for this high-performance belt, whose PU is particularly rigid. In addition, we are developing and patenting the ERO Joint® Ultimate, capable of transmitting 50% of the power of a Poly Chain®, making it possible to replace any standard belt. Both solutions will then be tested and validated by Gates on their Poly Chain® test benches. Finally, the first test belt is left in place for more than a day: a week, a month, 6 months, etc
Poly Chain® ERO Joint® Ultimate
We also develop ERO Joint® quick-fit tools. These tools enable the belt to be tensioned (especially when the transmission has no tensioning system) and the connecting pins to be forced into the belt.
ERO Joint® mounting tool with tensioning system
These solutions have been tested by numerous automakers (Renault, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Seat, Mercedes, etc.), reducing assembly times from over an hour to 15 minutes, saving over 45 minutes in production.
Also in 2013, in order to extend the ERO Joint® rapid assembly solution to the entire product range, we invented devices for round and V-belts.
ERO Joint® for PU and PE round and V-belts
ERO Joint® solutions were already a great success, and in 2014 we invented and patented the ERO Joint® HP (Hinge Pin) solution for polyurethane conveyor timing belts. Using our polyurethane production machine, we design molds into which we insert reinforcing cords to produce ERO Joint® HP plates. These plates are then welded onto the belts to enable rapid assembly of any polyurethane belt.
ERO Joint® HP is a real tour de force, as it replaces any welded belt: in fact, it was designed from the outset to achieve the performance of a standard welded belt. What's more, ERO Joint® HP can be used with any type of coating, guiding device, cleat or machining. Since 2014, ERO Joint® HP has been the most popular product in the ERO Joint® family. Up to 30% of polyurethane belt sales.
eRO Joint® HP sheets are light gray, welded to the base material (white).
Since then, ERO Joint® HP has been available with integrated guide, antistatic, high back, food-grade and in virtually all belt pitches.
Food-grade version (AT10 belt with cleats)
Since 2017, we've been working on the "Belt Chain" project. A hybrid belt, between belt and chain, with the advantages of belts (clean, silent, maintenance-free, and stable in length), and those of chain (open assembly, possibility of making any length by assembling sections).
This "transmission" version of ERO Joint® HP will be produced entirely by Tanals, with continuous cords and made to final length. This belt is designed to allow the replacement of any standard drive belt for rapid machine repairs.
Assembly principle of the ERO Joint® B1 quick-assembly drive belt
By 2021, we had already designed a specific ERO Joint® B1 belt to replace feeder belts in a high-potential market. We are thus moving forward with the design of the ERO Joint® B1 belt, but in a market where belts are of a single length (easier to produce).
Since 2022, ERO Joint® HP has been evolving towards a new version: ERO Joint® HP Zylon. The geometry of the assembly teeth and pin has been optimized, manufacturing quality has been improved, and above all, we are using Zylon cords (ultra-high-performance fiber), giving ERO Joint® HP enhanced performance, precision and longevity.
In 2024, ERO Joint® HP Zylon is available in T10, AT10, AT10V and AT20. It will be available in T5, AT and H in 2025.
With the launch of ERO Joint® HP Zylon, we are opening up the possibility for new partners to buy splice plates so that they can make their own belts.
ERO Joint® HP AT10V Zylon
At the end of 2024, the market for ERO Joint® HP (for quick-fit conveyor and process belts) is booming, and we are working with several belt market leaders, who are integrating this solution into their range.
In the case of ERO Joint® B1 (quick-fit power transmission belts), after several patents and numerous developments in a particularly complex manufacturing process, enabling us to produce belts of any length with continuous cords ideally positioned and tensioned, we've reached our goal.
ERO Joint® B1 is launched in 14M version in December.
14M ERO Joint® B1 transmission belt with continuous cords