Theory of Machine
Flexible Machine Elements
Belts
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Theory of Machine
Flexible Mechanical Elements
Belts, ropes and chains are elastic or flexible machine elements
and are used for transmission of power over comparatively
long distances.
These elements is often used as replacement for gears, shafts,
bearing and other relatively rigid power transmission devices.
Use of the flexible elements often simplify the design and
substantially reduces cost.
The flexible elements required inspection to guard against
wear, aging and loss of elasticity.
Elements should be replaced at first sign of deteriorations
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Introduction
The belts or ropes are used to transmit power from one shaft to another
shaft by means of pulleys which rotate at the same speed or at different
speeds
The amount of power transmitted depends upon
• The velocity of the belt
• Tension under which the belt is placed on pulleys
• The arc of contact between the belt and the smaller pulley
• The conditions under which the belt is used
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Selection of Belt Drive
Speed of Driving and Driven Shafts
Speed Reduction Ratio
Power to be Transmitted
Centre Distance Between the Shafts
Shafts Layout
Space Available
Service Conditions
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Types of Belt Drives
1. Light Drives:
Transmit small power, Belt speed <= 10m/s
e.g. Agriculture machines, small machine tools
2. Medium Drives:
Transmit medium powers, 10 m/s < Belt Speed < 22 m/s
e.g. Machine tools
2. Heavy Drives:
Transmit heavy powers, Belt Speed > 22 m/s
e.g. Compressors and Generators
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Types of Belt
a) Flat Belt
Use in factories and workshops
Use to transmit moderate power
Pulleys should not be more than 8 meters apart
Flat Belt
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Types of Belt
b) V-Belt:
Use in factories and workshops
Use to transmit moderate amount of power
Pulleys near to each others
V-Belt
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Design of Machine Elements-II
Flat Belt Drives
Types of Belt
c) Circular Belt or Rope:
Use in factories and workshops
Use to transmit great amount of power
Pulleys are more than 8 meters apart
Circular Belt
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Material used for Belts
Belt material should be strong, flexible and durable and also should have high
coefficient of friction .
Leather Belts Cotton or fabric Belts
Rubber Belts Balata Belts
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Coefficient of friction between belt and pulley
The Coefficient of friction between belt and pulley depends on
1. The material of belt
2. The material of pulley
3. The slip of the belt
4. The speed of belt (for efficient transmission of power the belt
speed should be from 20 m/s to 22.5 m/s.
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Standard Belt Thicknesses and Widths
The Standard flat belt thicknesses are 5,6.5,8,10 and 12 mm.
Belt thickness (mm) Width Range (mm)
1 5 35-63
2 6.5 50-140
3 8 90-224
4 10 125-400
5 12 250-600
Standard widths are 25, 32, 40, 50, 63, 71, 80, 90, 100, 112, 125, 140, 180, 200, 224,
250, 280, 315, 355, 400, 450, 500, 560 and 600mm
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Theory of Machine
V- Belt Rope Drives
V-Belts are used where great amount of power is to be transmitted from
one pulley to another pulleys and when the two pulleys are very near to
each other. V-Belt solve the problem of slippage and alignment
Made from Fabric and cords
moulded with rubber and
cover with fabric and rubber
To increase power output several belts may be operated side-by-side
Belt should be stretch at the same rate so that load is equally divided b/w
them
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V- Belt Rope Drives
Theory of Machine
Types of V-Belts
V-Belts have been Standardized by manufacturers with each section designated by a
alphabet for Size in inches and in mm. Minimum Sheave diameter and range of power
Transmitted for each section is provided
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Flat Belt Drives
Theory of Machine
Types of Flat Belt Drives
The power from one pulley to another pulley can be transmitted by
any of the following types of drives.
Open Belt Drives
Shafts arranged in parallel and rotating in
the same direction.
The driver pulley A, pulls the belt on one
side RQ and delivers it to other side LM.
RQ is Tight Side and LM is Slack Side.
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Crossed or twist Belt Drive
Shafts arrange in parallel and rotate in opposite directions.
Tension in RQ will be more compare to LM.
RQ is known as Tight Side while LM is known as Slack Side.
At the crossing point the belt will rub against each other, to avoid this the shaft
should be placed at maximum distance of 20b, where b is the width of belt and
the speed should not be more than 15 m/s
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Quarter turn belt drive
Also known as right angle belt drive and is used with shafts arranged at right
angles and rotating in one definite direction.
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Design of Machine Elements-II
Flat Belt Drives
Belt Drive with idler pulleys
Idler pulley is used with shafts arrange in parallel and when an open belt drive
can not be used due to small angle of contact on smaller pulley.
Used to obtain high velocity ratio and to obtain higher tension.
When desire to transfer motion from one shaft to several shafts arranged in
parallel, a belt drive with many idler pulleys can be employed.
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Design of Machine Elements-II
Flat Belt Drives
Compound Belt Drive
Is used when power is transmitted from one shaft to another through a
number of pulleys
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Flat Belt Drives
Theory of Machine
Velocity Ratio of a belt Drive
It is the ratio between the velocities of the driver and the follower or driven. It
may be expressed mathematically as:
When the thickness of belt (t) is consider
For compound Belt Drive
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Slip of the Belt
If the frictional grip b/w the pulley and belt is insufficient then there is forward
motion of driver without carrying the belt with it. This is called Slip of the Belt
and is expressed as percentage.
The result of belt slipping is to reduce the velocity ratio of the system.
When the thickness of belt (t) is consider
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Flat Belt Drives
Theory of Machine
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Flat Belt Drives
Theory of Machine
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Theory of Machine
Flat Belt Drives
Length of an Open Belt Drive
In open belt drive both the pulleys rotate in the same direction.
Driven/Follower
Driver
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Flat Belt Drives
Theory of Machine
Length of an Open Belt Drive
In open belt drive both the pulleys rotate in the same direction.
In Terms of
pulleys Radii
In Terms of pulleys
Diameter
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Design of Machine Elements-II
Flat Belt Drives
Length of a Cross Belt Drive
In cross belt drive both the pulleys rotate in the opposite direction.
In Terms of
In Terms of pulleys
pulleys Radii Diameter
L
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Open belt
Crossed belt
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Flat Belt Drives
Theory of Machine
Power Transmitted by the Belt
Effective turning force
at the circumference of
driven pulley
(T1 – T2)
Torque exerted on
Driving pulley
(T1 – T2) r1
Torque exerted on
Driven pulley
(T1 – T2) r2
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Flat Belt Drives
Theory of Machine
Ratio of Driving Tensions for Flat Belt
This expression gives relation between tight and slack side tensions, in terms of
coefficient of friction and anlge of contact. This equation can be expressed in
terms of corresponding logarithm to the base 10
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Flat Belt Drives
Theory of Machine
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Flat Belt Drives
Theory of Machine
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Flat Belt Drives
Theory of Machine
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Theory of Machine
Flexible Machine Elements
Ropes
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Rope Drives
Rope drives are used where large amount of power is to be transmitted,
from one pulley to another, over a considerable distance.
1.Fiber Rope
1. Hemp, Manila and Cotton
2. Pulley Distance upto 60 meter
2.Wire Rope
1. Wrought iron, cast steel, extra strong
cast steel, plough steel and alloy
steel
2. Pulleys upto 150 m apart
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Advantages of Fiber Rope
Rope drives are used where large amount of power is to be transmitted,
from one pulley to another, over a considerable distance.
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Construction of Wire Rope
Wire ropes are made from various grade of steel wire having tensile
ranging from 1200 to 2400 Mpa.
Core may be made of
7, 19 or 37 wires 6 or 8 strands are hemp, soft steel, jude
are twisted in to twisted about a or asbestos
strand core or center
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Designation of Wire
Rope
Wire ropes are designated by number of strands and number of
wires in each strand. e.g. 6 X 7 means six strands and 7 wires in
each stand
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Chain Drives
• In belt and rope drives slipping may occur
• In order to avoid slipping, steel chains are used
• The chains are made up of rigid links which are hinged together in order
to provide the necessary flexibility for warping around the driving and
driven wheels
• The wheels and the chain are thus constrained to move together without
slipping and ensures perfect velocity ratio. The toothed wheels are
known as sprocket wheels or simply sprockets
• The chains are mostly used to transmit motion and power from one shaft
to another, when the distance between the centres of the shafts is short
such as in bicycles, motor cycles, agricultural machinery, road rollers,
etc.
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Advantages
1. As no slip takes place during chain drive, hence perfect velocity ratio is
obtained.
2. Since the chains are made of metal, therefore they occupy less space in
width than a belt
or rope drive.
3. The chain drives may be used when the distance between the shafts is
less.
4. The chain drive gives a high transmission efficiency (upto 98 per cent).
5. The chain drive gives less load on the shafts.
6. The chain drive has the ability of transmitting motion to several shafts by
one chain only.
Disadvantages
1. The production cost of chains is relatively high.
2. The chain drive needs accurate mounting and careful maintenance.
3. The chain drive has velocity fluctuations especially when unduly
stretched.
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Classification of Chains
The chains, on the basis of their use, are classified into the
following three groups :
1. Hoisting and hauling (or crane) chains,
2. Conveyor (or tractive) chains, and
3. Power transmitting (or driving) chains.
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