Flexible Mechanical Elements

Flat Belt - I

Lecture 11
 introduction
• other method of transmitting power between
shafts:
› flexible elements
» belts
» roller
ll chains
h i
» wire ropes
› used when:
» transmitting power between shafts separated by large
distance
• simpler and more economical than other options
› advantages:
» greater design flexibility – placement of machinery
• lower tolerance – mounting and alignment Figure 1: Manotick Mill
Mill.
• simplify, reduce costs of design
» elastic elements – absorb shock, dampen vibration
• longer life
» quiet operation
› disadvantages:
» finite life
• inspection, maintenance
» slippage – inexact velocity ratio, limited torque
capacities

Figure 2: Manotick Mill.

belts – introduction
• 4 main types
› flat
› round
› V
› timing

Table 1: Common belt types [S&M].

 belts – flat
• flat belts
› simplest, often least expensive
› usually low power, high speed
› flat leather belts previously used
» large distances, used to drive several
pieces of machinery
› now: thin, light, flat belts drive high-speed
machines (polyamide, urethane)
» elastomer surrounding strong elastic
core
» crowned pulleys
» purchased by the roll Figure 5: Overhead drive system in mini late 1800’s
machine shop [www.craftmanshipmuseum.com].

• advantages:
› high efficiency – up to 98-99%
› low noise
› absorb torsional vibrations better than gears or
V belts

Figure 4: Open-belt drive with slack side above [S&M]. Figure 6: Mini milling machine
[www.craftmanshipmuseum.com].
Figure 3: Manotick Mill.
belts – flat
• initial tension
› must apply initial tension to belt
› re-tension early as belt seats
› re-tension later as wear occurs (but, not much)
› severall ttechniques
h i usedd tto maintain
i t i ttension
i Figure 4: Open-belt drive with slack side above [S&M].
› higher tension – more power capacity, but radial
and bending loads on shaft

Figure 7: Methods of applying belt tension [J&M].

 belts – flat
• reversing drives • clutching action
› flat belts can be used for reversing drives
› shift belt to loose pulley
› both sides contact pulley
› move pulleys closer together
› can’t do with V or timing
› saves cost, weight, bulk of separate
clutch

Figure 8: Reversing drives: (a) open and (b) crossed

[S&M].

Figure 10: Clutching action [S&M].

Figure 9: Manotick Mill.

belts – flat (and round) – geometry

Figure
g 11: Open-belt
p drive [[J&M].
]

Figure 12: Open-belt drive [J&M].

questions?