Apparatus for forming a power transmission belt

An apparatus for forming a power transmission belt/belt sleeve, the apparatus comprising:

• first and second shafts about which an endless belt/belt sleeve preform can be trained,
• at least one of the first and second shafts capable of being driven to cause a belt/belt sleeve preform trained around the first and second shafts to be moved in an endless travel path,
• the first shaft having a small diameter portion between spaced larger diameter portions arranged so that the belt/belt sleeve preform traveling around the first and second shafts resides between the larger diameter portions;
• a pushing component at a cutting location;
• at least one guide element at the cutting location;
• and
• a cutter to bear against and form a part of a belt/belt sleeve preform trained around the first and second shafts,
• the pushing component serving to reinforce a belt/belt sleeve preform that is trained around the first and second shafts and borne against by the cutter,
• the at least one guide element situated to bear against a side of a belt/belt sleeve preform trained around the first and second shafts to confine movement of a belt/belt sleeve preform at the cutting location, and
• wherein a belt/belt sleeve preform trained around the first and second shafts defines an inner circumference within which a cutting space is defined in which the cutter is movable toward and away from the belt/belt sleeve preform.