ISO 5288:2017

Overview

ISO 5288:2017 - "Synchronous belt drives - Vocabulary" is an international terminology standard that defines the terms and definitions used for synchronous (timing) belt drives used in mechanical power transmission where positive indexing or synchronization is required. The third edition updates the vocabulary to include terms for curvilinear synchronous belts and organizes definitions for belts, teeth, pulleys, grooves and groove-generating tools.

Key topics

The standard focuses on clear, consistent terminology across these technical areas:

• General concepts: synchronous belt drive, centre distance, endless vs open drives, measuring pulley.
• Synchronous belts: pitch line, tooth pitch, belt pitch length, width and height, single- and double-sided belts, trapezoidal and curvilinear tooth profiles.
• Teeth definitions: tooth, tip and root lines, tooth height, flank, working and non-working flanks, radii at tooth tip/root, tooth pitch and angles.
• Pulleys: synchronous pulley, pitch reference cylinder/circle, pitch diameter, outside diameter, pitch line differential, minimum pulley width, flanges and measuring pulley features.
• Grooves: groove geometry, tip/root circles and cylinders, groove depth, groove flank definitions, groove angles, and radii.
• Groove-generating tools: rack form, reference rack and related pitch/angle/height terminology used to define pulley-cutting tool profiles.
• Normative context: no normative references are included; users are directed to ISO’s online terminological resources (ISO OBP) and IEC Electropedia for broader standardization terms.

Practical applications

ISO 5288:2017 is a vocabulary standard intended to improve clarity and reduce errors when specifying, designing, manufacturing, testing or maintaining synchronous belt systems. Typical uses include:

• Creating unambiguous technical drawings and specifications for timing belt drives in automotive, industrial automation, robotics, printing, packaging and conveyor systems.
• Supporting procurement and quality assurance by ensuring consistent terminology between OEMs, belt and pulley manufacturers, and test laboratories.
• Assisting maintenance teams and installation manuals with standardized definitions (e.g., measuring pulley, centre distance, pitch line) to avoid misinterpretation.
• Enabling standard-compliant documentation for product certifications and cross‑vendor interoperability.

Who should use this standard

• Mechanical engineers and design teams specifying power transmission components
• Belt and pulley manufacturers and toolmakers (groove-cutting tool designers)
• Maintenance engineers, testers and quality assurance professionals
• Standards writers and technical writers preparing specifications and manuals

Related information

• Refer to ISO Online Browsing Platform (ISO OBP) and IEC Electropedia for complementary terminologies.
• Consult relevant synchronous belt dimensional standards and manufacturer data sheets for specific belt and pulley dimensions and profiles.