Flexible Mechanical

Elements

INTRODUCTION
Belts, ropes, chains, and other similar
elastic or flexible machine elements are
used in conveying systems and in the
transmission
of
power
over
comparatively long distances.
In often happens that these elements
can be used as a replacement for gears,
shafts, bearings, and other relatively
rigid power transmission devices.

Flexible mechanical elements

Chapter outline
1. Belts
2.Flat and round belt drives
3.Flat metal belts
4.V belts
5.Timing belts

Belt

Belt
Belts are the cheapest utility for power
transmission between shafts that may not be
parallel.
They run smoothly and with little noise, and
cushion motor and bearings against load
changes, albeit with less strength than gears
or chains. However, improvements in belt
engineering allow use of belts in systems that
only formerly allowed chains or gears.

Belt
Belt drive, moreover, is simple, inexpensive, and
does not require parallel shafts.
It helps protect the car from overload, and
damping it from noise and vibration.
Load fluctuations are shock-absorbed (cushioned).
They need no lubrication and minimal maintenance.
They have high efficiency (90-98%, usually 95%),
high tolerance for misalignment, and are
inexpensive if the shafts are far apart.
Clutch action is activated by releasing belt tension.

Advantages

Cheap

Allows misalignment (parallel shafts)

Protects from overload

Absorbs noise and vibrations

Cushion load fluctuations

Needs little maintenance

High efficiency (90-98%, usually 95%),

Disadvantages

Speed ratio is not constant (slip & stretch)

Heat accumulation
Speed limited 2000 m/min,
Power limited - 700 kW
Endless belts needs special attention to install

Belt

Belt types

Flat-belt geometry

Open belt

D = + 2 sin 1
d = 2 sin 1

Dd
2C
Dd
2C

L = 4C 2 ( D d ) 2

1/ 2

1
+ ( D D + d d )
2

Crossed belt

= + 2 sin 1

Dd
2C

L = 4C ( D + d )
2

2 1/ 2

1
+ ( D + d )
2

dS = ( mrd ) r 2 = mr 2 2 d = mV 2 d = Fc d
V = belt speed , m = the belt mass
d
d
Fr = ( F + dF ) 2 F 2 + dN + dS = 0 => dN = Fd dS
Ft = fdN F + ( F + dF ) = 0
dF = fdN = fFd fdS
= fFd fmr 2 2 d
dF
fF = fmr 2 2
d

F = A exp( f ) + mr 2 2 => A = F2 mr 2 2 => A = cons tan t , = starts at loose side

F = ( F2 mr 2 2 ) exp( f ) + mr 2 2
F = = F1 = ( F2 mr 2 2 ) exp( f ) + mr 2 2

the belting equation

F1 mr 2 2 F1 Fc
2 2

=
=
exp(
f
)
=>
F
=
mr
c
2 2
F2 mr
F2 Fc
F1 F2 = ( F1 Fc )
Fc =

V 2
g

exp( f ) 1
=> V = dn
exp( f )

m / sec

Fi = initial tension
Fc = hoop tension due to centrifugal force
F = tension due to the transmitted torque
T
D = diameter of the pulley

H = ( F1 F2 )V
H = the transmitted power

The difference between F1 and F2

is related to the pulley torque.
Subtracting

adding

Dividing

If Fi equals zero, then T equals zero: no initial

tension, no torque transmitted.

For satisfactory flat-belt drive, the initial tension must be:

(1) provided,
(2) Sustained
(3) in the proper amount
(4) Maintained by routine inspection.
From the above equation:

Similarly,

Plot of initial tension Fi against belt tension F1 or F2, showing the intercept
Fc, the equations of the curves, and where 2T/D is to be found.

 Manufacturers provide specifications for their belts that include allowable

tension Fa (or stress all), (N/unit width)
Belt life is usually several years. The severity of flexing at the pulley and
its effect on life is reflected in a pulley correction factor Cp.
Speed in excess of 600 ft/min and its effect on life is reflected in a
velocity correction factor Cv . For polyamide and urethane belts use Cv = 1.
A service factor Ks is used for excursions of load from nominal, applied to
the nominal power as Hd = HnomKsnd , where nd is the design factor for
exigencies.

( F1 ) a = bFa C p C v
b = belt width, mm
Fa = manufacturers
allowed tension, N/mm
Cp = pulley correction
factor
Cv = velocity correction
factor
(F1)a = allowable largest
tension, N

The steps in analyzing a flat-belt drive

1. Find exp(f) from belt-drive geometry and friction.
2. From belt geometry and speed find Fc.
3. From
find necessary torque.
4. From torque T find the necessary
5. Find F2 from
6. From Equation
find necessary initial tension
Fi.
7. Check the friction development, f<f. Used Equation solved
for f:

8. Find the factor of safety from

Example 17-1
A polyamide A-3 flat belt 150 mm wide is used to transmit
11 kW under light shock conditions where Ks= 1.25, and a
factor of safety equal to or greater than 1.1 is
appropriate. The pulley rotational axes are parallel and in
the horizontal plane. The shafts are 2.4 m apart. The 150
mm driving pulley rotates at 1750 rev/min in such a way
that the loose is on top. The driven pulley is 450 mm in
diameter. The factor of safety is unquantifiable
exigencies.
a) Estimate the centrifugal tension Fc and the torque T.
b) Estimate the allowable F1, F2, Fi and allowable power Ha.
c) Estimate the factor of safety. Is it satisfactory?

a) Estimate the centrifugal tension Fc and the torque T.

(450 150)
d = 2 sin
2(2400)
= 3.0165rad
1

b) Estimate the allowable F1, F2, Fi and allowable power

Ha.

( F1 ) a = bFa C p C v
Cv=1.0 (Polyamide &urethane belts)

(F1)a=the allowable
largest belt tension
( F1 ) a = bFa C p Cv
= (0.15)(18000)(0.70)(1.0)
= 1890 N

c) Estimate the factor of safety. Is it satisfactory?

d = 2 sin 1

(450 150)
2(2400)

= 3.0165rad

f=0.8

f<f=>0.314<0.8
no danger of
slipping

Belt tension scheme

where;
d = dip, m
L = center-to-center
distance, m
= weight per foot of the
belt, N/m
Fi = initial tension, N.

A decision set for a flat belt

Function: power, speed, durability, reduction,
service factor, C
Design factor: nd
Initial tension maintenance.
Belt material
Drive geometry, d, D.
Belt thickness : t
Belt width : b

Flat metal belts

Thin flat metal belts fabricated by laser welding and thin
rolling technology made possible belts as thin as 0.002
in and as narrow as 0.026 in.

Thin metal belts exhibit:

High strength-to-weight ratio
Dimensional stability
Accurate timing
Usefulness to temperatures up to 700F
Good electrical and thermal conduction properties

Flat metal belts

A thin flat metal belt with the tight tension F1 and the slack
side tension F2 revealed. The relationship between F1 and F2 and
the driving torque T is the same as in Equation

Flat metal belts

The tensile stresses ()1 and ()2
imposed by the belt tension F1 and
F2 are

Where
E= Youngs modulus
T = belt thickness
v = Poissons ratio
D= pulley diameter
b = bending stress

The largest tensile

stress is

The smallest tensile

stress is

Table: Belt Life for Stainless Steel Friction

Drives

Steps for the selection of a metal

flat belt
Find exp(f) from
geometry and friction
2. Find endurance strength;
for 301,
302 stainless steel.
Np is the number of belt
passes.
1.

5. F2 =F1a F = ab F
6. Fi
7. bmin =
8. Choose

3. Allowable tension

4. F=

9. Check frictional
development f :

Example 17-3
A friction-drive stainless
steel metal belt runs over
two 100-mm metal pulleys
(f = 0.35). The belt
thickness is to 0.08 mm. For
a life exceeding 1000000
belt passes with smooth
torque (Ks = 1),
a) Select the belt if the torque
is to be 3.4 N.m
b) Find the initial tension Fi.

Solution
a) Select the belt if the torque
is to be 3.4 N.m
From step 1, = d =
therefore exp(0.35)=1
From step 2,
From step 3, 4, 5, and 6

Example 17-3
exp( f ) = exp(0.35 ) = 3
( S f )106 = 97702(106 ) 0.407 = 353MPa
2T 2(3.4)
=
= 68 Nm
0 .1
D

Et
F1a = S f
tb = ab
2
(
1

)
v
D

193(109 )(0.08)(10 3 )
3
F1a = 353(106 )
(0.08)(10 )b
2
(1 0.285 )(0.1)

F1a = 353(106 ) 168049849 = 14796bN

F =

a = 14796b
F exp( f )
68
3
bmin =
=
a exp( f ) 1 14796 3 1
bmin = 0.0069m = 6.9mm
b = 12.7 mm
b = (19mm)

193(10 9 )(0.08)(10 3 )
6
3
F1a = 353(10 )
(0.08)(10
2
(1 0.285 )(0.1)

F1a = 14796b = 14796(0.019) = 281N

F2 = F1a F = 281 68 = 213 N
F1a + F2 281 + 213
=
= 247 N
2
2
1 F
1 281
= 0.0882
f ' = ln 1 = ln
F2 213

Fi =

f ' < f => 0.0882 < 0.35(ok )

V Belts

Note that:
1. To specify a V belt, give the belt-section letter, followed by the
inside circumference in inches. For example, C60 is a Csection belt having an inside circumference of 60 in.
2. Calculations involving the belt length are usually based on the pitch
length. For any given belt section, the pitch length is obtained by
adding a quantity to the inside circumference. For example, a C60
belt has a pitch length of 62.9 in.
3. The groove angle of a sheave is made somewhat smaller than the
belt-section angle. This causes the belt to wedge itself into the
groove, thus increasing friction.
4. The optimum working speed of the V-belt should be between 5000
ft/min and 1000 ft/min.

center-to-center distance(C):
should not be greater than 3 times the sum of the sheave diameters(D
+d) and no less than the diameter of the larger sheave(D).

The design power is given by:

The number of belts, Nb, is usually the next higher integer to Hd/Ha.

The centrifugal tension Fc is given by:

when the belt is used under other conditions, the tabulated value Htab
is adjusted as follows:

V belt tension

Bending induces flexural stresses in the belt; the corresponding belt

tension that induces the same maximum tensile stress is Fb1 at the
driving sheave and Fb2 at the driven pulley. These equivalent tensions
are added to F1 as:

the Gates Rubber Company used the tension versus pass

trade-off in the form:

The Miner rule is used to sum damage

incurred by the two tension peaks:

The lifetime t in hours is given by:

If NP > 109, report that NP = 109 and t > NP Lp/(720V)

The analysis of a V-belt drive can consist of the following steps:

PROPERTIES
V-BELTS are oil and heat resistant and manufactured from
material to prevent formation of static electricity.
1) OIL RESISTANT
V-BELTS are resistant to damage from influence of mineral
oil, splash and fatty components. This property provides
longer belt life.
2) HEAT RESISTANT
To prevent aging and decomposition of the belts in high
temperature, V-BELTS have obtained heat resistant
properties.
3) ANTI STATIC
V-BELTS are of electrical conductivity which prevents the
builtup o static electricity. This property is of greatest
importance when working with inflammable materials.

 D = + 2 sin 1

Dd
2C

Timing belts

Timing belts

Sophisticated characteristics at low speeds and

high torques open up new possibilities of use in
sectors where only chains had been a possible
solution so far. Features and Benefits of the
Industrial Belt : Exceptional power transmission
capability. Versatile. Clean Quite running. No
Maintenance.

#1. Design a friction metal flat-belt drive to connect a 1-hp, four-pole squirrelcage motor turning at 1750 rev/min to a shaft 15 in away, running at half speed.
The circumstances are such that a service factor of 1.2 and a design factor of
1.05 are appropriate. The life goal is 106 belt passes, f = 0.35, and the
environmental considerations require a stainless steel belt.
Given data
Function: Hnom = 1 hp , n = 1750 rev/min , V R = 2 , C = 15 in , Ks = 1.2
,
Np = 106 belt passes.
Design factor: nd = 1.05
Belt material and properties: 301/302 stainless steel
Table 17-8: Sy = 175 000 psi, E = 28 Mpsi, = 0.285
Drive geometry: d = 2 in, D = 4 in
Belt thickness: t = 0.003 in
Design
Belt width b
variables:
Belt loop periphery
Solutions:
The transmitting torque T
and the design power :

#1. Design a friction metal flat-belt drive to connect a 1-hp, four-pole squirrelcage motor turning at 1750 rev/min to a shaft 15 in away, running at half speed.
The circumstances are such that a service factor of 1.2 and a design factor of
1.05 are appropriate. The life goal is 106 belt passes, f = 0.35, and the
environmental considerations require a stainless steel belt.
Given data
Function: Hnom = 1 hp , n = 1750 rev/min , V R = 2 , C = 15 in , Ks = 1.2
,
Np = 106 belt passes.
Design factor: nd = 1.05
Belt material and properties: 301/302 stainless steel
Table 17-8: Sy = 175 000 psi, E = 28 Mpsi, = 0.285
Drive geometry: d = 2 in, D = 4 in
Belt thickness: t = 0.003 in
Design
Belt width b
variables:
Belt loop periphery
Solutions:
The transmitting torque T
and the design power :

For full friction development,

Decision #1: b = 4.5 in

Existing friction

#3. A 60-hp four-cylinder internal combustion engine is used to drive a brickmaking machine under a schedule of two shifts per day. The drive consists of
two 26-in sheaves spaced about 12 ft apart, with a sheave speed of 400
rev/min. Select a V-belt arrangement. Find the factor of safety, and estimate the
life in passes and hours.

Given data:

Hnom = 60 hp, n = 400 rev/min, Ks = 1.4, d = D = 26 in on 12 ft

centers.
Design task: specify V-belt and number of strands (belts).
Tentative decision:
Use
D360 belts.
Inside
circumference

Pitch length

Lp = 360 + 3.3 = 363.3 in Quantity to be added from table

Center to center distance C

Table 17-13: For = 180, K 1 = 1

Table 17-14: For

D360, K2 = 1.10

Table 17-12: Htab = 16.94 hp by interpolation b/n 2000 and 3000 ft/min

Number of belts, Nb
Nb = 5

At fully developed friction