Timing belt pitch refers to the center-to-center distance between the center of one tooth on a pulley to the center of the adjacent tooth. The timing belt tooth profile describes the shape of the tooth that is designed specifically for the type of application on which the timing belt pulley will be used. The application dictates the precision of registration needed, torque carrying capabilities, anti-ratcheting characteristics, and also quietness of the drive system.

This timing belt tooth geometry is often a patented feature of a specific timing belt manufacturer. These timing belt tooth profiles are frequently marketed as being exclusive to one timing belt manufacturer. However, competition and market forces dictate that customers don’t like to be forced into having only one choice.

We have identified the most common timing belt tooth profiles available today. We have also made available a cross reference guide that shows the interchangeability among the various timing belt manufacturers for the various timing belt profiles and pitches.

This article comes from pfeiferindustries edit released