The prevalent types of power transmission drive components used in industrial applications today include chains, gears and belts. From large rock crushers to tiny sewing machines, the variety of applications is wide. Selecting the best type of drive for a particular application is key to providing optimal performance.
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While the range of applications with belts in the distant past was limited by their horsepower capacity, continuous development has resulted in products that today can compete with metal components such as gears and chains in very high torque and horsepower applications. Belts also offer the added feature of acting as a "safety fuse" in the drive system. In a peak torque or drive blockage situation, the belt (often the least expensive component of the drive) will break, sacrificing itself rather than the breakage of much more expensive components (shafts, etc.) in the system.
Belts have some major advantages over metal drive components:
There are two major types of power transmission drive belts. They come in many different sizes and constructions but can be broken down into these two groups:
V-belt is a friction device and works on the principle of the wedge. It relies on tension to create friction on the sidewall of the sheave to transmit power. V-belts allow slippage which can be desirable and intended in drive design. For example, in a mower deck, the belt must slip rather than break the belt or bend a shaft when the blade contacts a rock or a stump.
A synchronous or timing belt is a positive engagement device. It is a highly efficient system of power transmission. It combines the advantages of mechanical and flexible components without the disadvantages. All synchronous belts operate on the positive engagement principle, the same principle as chains, moulded belt teeth meshing with sprocket teeth. Synchronous belts wrap around the sprocket using flexion and not by rotation of articulated parts as do chains. This eliminates one of the causes of wear and noise. Synchronous belt does not allow slippage as there are drives where synchronicity is a necessity and any slippage can cause damage. For example, the valve train of an internal combustion engine. If the drive does not maintain synchronous operation the piston can contact and damage the valves.
V-Belts are available in a wide variety of cross section sizes and construction types allowing them to be an option in drives ranging from low to high horsepower. They can also be used in sets of multiple belts arranged side-by-side for use on very high-horsepower drives. There are generally two construction types available, wrapped and raw edge. Wrapped belts have an envelope of fabric that entirely covers the external surface of the belt. Wrapped construction should be used where maximum slippage capability is desirable.
Raw edge construction does not have fabric on the sides of the belt that engages the sheave, and has cogs, also referred to as notches, on the bottom section of the belt for additional flexibility to wrap around small sheaves. Raw edge construction belts do not slip as easily as wrapped belts due to the exposed rubber on their sidewalls. Raw edge belts are used where higher horsepower capability is necessary while still requiring some slippage in peak torque conditions. Raw edge belts can be a very cost-effective upgrade to a system resulting in a significant efficiency increase due to their reduced slippage versus a V-belt and the fact that they can be installed on the existing pulleys without any need to make component changes to the drive.
Like V-Belts, synchronous belts are available in a wide variety of sizes and construction that allows them to be an option on almost any drive. All synchronous belts are somewhat similar in their construction, the difference is in the type of belt body compound, tooth profile, and tensile cords used. They are available in either rubber or polyurethane construction. The choice of rubber or polyurethane depends on the type of application. For example, in production environments such as the food industry where cleanliness is a priority a polyurethane belt may be used as it has less tendency to shed material than a rubber-based construction.
Conversely, for very high temperature applications a rubber belt will be chosen due to its much higher heat capabilities. Synchronous belts also require a very low installation tension in comparison with v-belts which exerts much less stress on drive components such as shafts and bearings. Tooth profiles are chosen based on various conditions. For example, where precise registration is required, a tooth profile that has minimum play or clearance between the belt tooth and pulley groove may be chosen. On a very high torque drive, a parabolic curvilinear shape tooth profile will be desirable due to its capability to transmit high power and torque while minimizing the chance of the belt tooth jumping out of the sprocket and jeopardizing synchronization. Synchronous belts also require less tensioning maintenance than V-belts. While V-belts must be periodically checked to ensure correct tension is maintained, synchronous belts tend to remain at the correct tension long after the initial belt installation.
V-belts are belts with a trapezoidal cross-section. Like other types of belts, they are used to transmit power or torque from the driving component to the driving component. Their design facilitates gripping onto the roller components (i.e., pulleys) during operation, decreasing the risk of slippage and increasing the consistency of the system’s output.
These components come in numerous variations, each of which offers unique characteristics that make them suitable for use in different applications. Examples include:
The following article provides an overview of V-belts, outlining their operating principles, the types available, and their design and selection considerations.
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The key components of a standard wrapped V-belt are as follows:
Altogether, these components allow wrapped V-belts to perform their function as intended—i.e., transmitting power and torque from one pulley to another by friction-based means.
When designing and selecting a V-belt for a system, there are numerous factors to consider ensuring the chosen component demonstrates the correct performance characteristics. Some of the key considerations to keep in mind include:
The environmental and operating conditions to which the V-belt will be subjected significantly influence what type would be ideal. Some of the factors to consider include operating speeds, intermittent or continuous operation, misalignment tolerance, layout (e.g., serpentine or quarter turn), transmitted power, belt efficiency, and exposure to harsh conditions (e.g., extreme temperatures, abrasives, ozone, and oils). Depending on what factors are critical, industry professionals may choose from a wide range of light-duty or heavy-duty, industrial V-belts.
V-belts have several profile (i.e., cross-section) options. While all of them feature the basic trapezoidal shape, each one has different dimensions. The main industry standards are:
These profiles are also available in raw-edge cogged to enhance or add specific performance characteristics.
At Megadyne, we have extensive experience supplying power transmission belts, accessories, and systems to customers in countless sectors, including commercial and consumer appliances, construction, and heavy industry. Our V-belt offerings include:
Designed and constructed for superior performance with high durability and tensile strength. Benefits of Our rubber-wrapped V-belts:
Ideally suited for high-speed, compact drives. Benefits of Our rubber raw-edge V-belts:
Benefits of our banded V-belts:
Benefits of our linked V-belts:
For additional information about our V-belt products available in your area, contact us today!
Contact us to discuss your requirements of V Belts. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.