Slide

 1  (Introduction)  
A   belt   is   a   loop   of   flexible   material   used   to   link   two   or   more   rotating   shafts  
mechanically.  Belts  may  be  used  as  a  source  of  motion,  to  transmit  power  efficiently,  
or  to  track  relative  movement.  Belts  are  looped  over  pulleys.  In  a  two  pulley  system,  
the   belt   can   either   drive   the   pulleys   in   the   same   direction,   or   the   belt   may   be  
crossed,   so   that   the   direction   of   the   shafts   is   opposite.   As   a   source   of   motion,   a  
conveyor  belt  is  one  application  where  the  belt  is  adapted  to  continually  carry  a  load  
between  two  points.  
Advantages  of  belt  drives  

Belts   have   many   advantages   over   other   power   transmission   methods.   One   of   the  
most   important   is   overall   economics.   The   efficiency   and   reliability   of   belts   as   a  
power   transmission   medium   is   well   recognized.   Belts   are   clean   and   require   no  
lubrication.   Belts   can   transmit   power   between   shafts   spaced   widely   apart   with   a  
wide  selection  of  speed  ratios.    
Where  belts  are  used  

When   the   desired   speed   of   the   driven   shaft   is   the   same   as   the   driver,   direct  
connection  is  the  most  common  and  economic  method,  sometimes  through  flexible  
couplings.  When  the  speed  of  the  driven  shaft  must  be  in  exact  relationship  with  the  
driver,  gears  or  chains  are  most  frequently  used.  However,  synchronous  belts  have  
gained  wide  usage  in  this  relatively  limited  field,  primarily  due  to  economics,  lack  of  
lubrication  requirements,  and  very  high  power  density  of  modern  curvilinear  belts.  
By   far   the   most   numerous   type   of   drive   is   where   synchronization   is   not   required,  
driver  and  driven  speeds  are  different,  and  the  prime  mover  and  driven  machinery  
are  separated  by  some  distance.  This  type  of  drive  lends  itself  ideally  to  the  use  of  
the  various  kinds  of  belts  that  exist  today.  Belts  have  an  extremely  broad  application  
range  that  make  them  ideal  for  virtually  any  application.  
 

Slide  2  (Friction  versus  positive  belt  drives)  

All  power  transmission  belts  are  either  friction  drive  or  positive  drive.  Friction  drive  
belts   rely   on   coefficient   of   friction   to   transmit   the   power   and   require   tension   to  
maintain  the  coefficient  of  friction.  Flat  belts  are  the  purest  form  of  a  friction  drive  
while  V-­‐belts  and  V-­‐ribbed  belts  rely  on  coefficient  of  friction  but  have  a  multiplying  
effect  through  the  V  or  wedging  characteristic.    
Positive   drive   belts   rely   on   the   engagement   of   teeth   on   the   belt   with   grooves   on   the  
pulley.  There  can  be  no  real  slip  with  this  kind  of  belt,  short  of  an  actual  ratcheting  
action.    
 
Slide  3  (Flat  belts)  
Flat   belts   are   the   simplest   and   generally   least   expensive   type   of   belt.   They   are   made  
of   leather,   plastic,   solid   rubber,   or   rubber   reinforced   with   fabric   tensile   cords.  
Reinforced   flat   belts   are   capable   of   transmitting   high   power-­‐up   to   500   hp   if   wide,  
flat   belts   are   used   on   large   pulleys.   Such   drives   are  demanding,   however,   and   flat-­‐
belt   drives   have   largely   been   replaced   by   more   compact   V-­‐belt   and   synchronous  
drives.    
Modern  flat-­‐belt  drives  are  generally  used  for  applications  where  high  speed  is  more  
important  than  high-­‐power  transmission.    
Advantages:  With  their  thin  sections,  flat  belts  also  develop  less  bending  tension  as  
they  flex  around  the  pulley,  especially  on  small-­‐diameter  pulleys.  Because  bending  
tension   detracts   from   drive   tension,   flat   belts   offer   advantages   on   drives   with  
pulleys  that  may  be  too  small  for  V-­‐belts.    
Disadvantages:  Flat  belts  depend  on  high  tensions  to  maintain  traction  and  must  be  
designed   to   prevent   high   wear   rates   or   early   failure   when   coupled   with   rugged  
shafts   and   bearings.   Alignment   also   must   be   controlled   closely   because   flat   belts  
have  a  tendency  to  track  off  their  pulley.    

 
Slide  4  (Types  of  belt  cross  sections)  
Various  belt  cross  sections  are  used  on  industrial  drives.  The  heavy-­‐duty  industrial  
V   belts   (classical   and   narrow)   are   used   on   large   industrial   drives,   usually   in  
matched  sets.  Synchronous  belts  are  used  where  exact  speed  relationship  must  be  
maintained   between   the   driver   and   drives   shafts   (they   are   also   used   for   their   low  
maintenance  requirements  and  for  energy  efficiency  benefits).  The  V-­‐ribbed  belts  
are   typically   used   where   high-­‐speed   ratio   and   small   diameters   are   encountered,  
such   as   on   clothes   dryers.   The   light-­‐duty   belts   are   used   in   the   lawn   and   garden  
implement  market  and  to  drive  a  multitude  of  small  machinery.    

Cogged  belts  have  slots  that  reduce  bending  resistance  of  the  belt.  
 
Slide  5  

V-­‐belt  (trapezoidal)  
The   most   familiar   and   widely   used   type   of   belt   in   the   industry   is   the   V-­‐belt   or  
trapezoidal   belt.   These   belts   have   their   name   from   the   general   trapezoidal   or   V-­‐
shaped.   There   are   three   major   categories   or   industrial   trapezoidal   belts:   classical,  
narrow  and  light-­‐duty.  
V-­‐   and   V-­‐ribbed   belts   are   capable   of   handling   large   load   fluctuations   and   have  
excellent  shock-­‐absorbing  abilities.  
Light-­‐duty  industrial  belts  
Light-­‐duty  industrial  applications  are  generally  less  than  5  hp  in  load  and  frequently  
run   less   than   8   hours   per   day   (small   fans   and   machine   tools).   Light-­‐duty   V-­‐belts   are  
similar   to   classic   V-­‐belts   except   that   they   are   designed   for   more   flexibility   and  
lighter  loads.  Thus,  they  are  more  adaptable  to  the  small  sheave  diameters  found  on  
light-­‐duty,  fractional-­‐horsepower  drives.  
 
 Joined  industrial  V-­‐belts  

Classical  and  narrow  V-­‐belts  are  available  in  the  joined  configuration,  where  several  
belt   strands   are   connected   by   a   tie   band   across   the   top   of   the   belts.   The   tie   band  
improves   lateral   stability   and   solves   the   problems   of   belts   turning   over   or   coming  
off  the  sheaves.  The  tie  band  rides  above  the  sheave,  so  it  does  not  interfere  with  the  
wedging  action  of  the  individual  belt  strands.  
Heavy-­‐duty  industrial  belts  

These  belts  are  typically  higher  HP  application  (above  5hp)  and  run  8-­‐24  h  per  day  
(fans,   industrial   air   compressors,   and   rock   crushers).   Many   industrial   drives   have  
load   and   reliability   requirements   that   cannot   be   met   by   single   V-­‐belt   installations.  
Therefore,  2  to  12  (or  more)  industrial  V-­‐belts  are  normally  used  together.  Multiple-­‐
belt  drives  deliver  up  to  several  hundred  horsepower  continuously  and  can  adsorb  
reasonable  shock  loads.    
 
Slide  6  (V-­‐ribbed  and  cogged  belts)  

 Shallow   ribs   on   the   underside   of   the   V-­‐ribbed   belts   mate   with   corresponding  
grooves  in  the  pulley.  This  mating  guides  the  belt  and  makes  it  more  stable  than  a  
flat   belt.   Some   designs   of   V-­‐ribbed   belts   result   in   the   complete   filling   of   the   pulley  
grooves.  Because  of  the  relatively  small  ribs,  often  combined  with  filled  grooves,  V-­‐
ribbed  belts  do  not  have  as  much  wedging  action  as  V-­‐belts  and,  consequently,  must  
operate  at  higher  belt  tension.  
V-­‐ribbed   belts   have   higher   lateral   stability   than   flat   belts   because   of   the   mating  
grooves.   In   fact,   they   have   the   stability   advantages   approaching   that   of   joined   V-­‐
belts  on  drives  where  individual  belts  whip  and  turn  over  or  come  off  the  sheave.    
While   V-­‐ribbed   belts   may   not   be   as   flexible   as   flat   belts,   they   preform   well   on   small-­‐
diameter  pulleys.    
Cogged  (Variable-­‐speed)  V-­‐belts  
Within  certain  limits,  V-­‐belts  are  well  suited  for  applications  where  the  driven  speed  
must   vary   in   relationship   to   the   driver   speed.   Grooves   decrease   the   bending  
resistance.  

 
Slide  7  
Round  belts  
They  have  a  circular  cross  section  that  mates  in  a  semispherical  sheave.  

Round  belts  can  be  made  to  length  (endless),  or  the  proper  length  can  be  cut  from  
rolls   of   belting   and   spliced   with   a   metal   hook   to   form   an   endless   product.   The  
present-­‐day   use   of   round   belts   is   rather   limited,   primarily   for   agricultural  
machinery  drives  and  some  light-­‐duty  or  appliance  drives,  such  as  vacuum  cleaners.    
 
Slide  8  
Spliced  belting  

Sliced   belting   comes   in   various   forms.   A   type   of   belting   is   made   of   several   small  
segments  linked  together  either  mechanically  or  through  intertwining  the  individual  
components   to   form   continuous   V-­‐belt.   A   conventional   appearing   V-­‐belt   linked   with  
mechanical  splices  that  are  attached  to  each  end  of  the  belt.  Often  spliced  belting  is  
used   in   an   emergency,   as   it   is   relatively   easy   to   manufacture   and   install   a   spliced  
belt  on  the  drive  to  keep  the  wheels  turning  until  a  more  permanent  repair  can  be  
made.    

 
Heavy-­‐duty  industrial  double  V-­‐belts  

Double   V-­‐belts   (or   hexagonal   belts)   are   commonly   used   in   multiple,   and   are   used   in  
applications   where   the   drive   geometry   requires   that   power   be   transmitted   from  
both   sides   of   the   belt.   These   belts   operate   in   the   same   sheaves   are   regular   classic   V-­‐
belts.    
 

Slide  9  (Synchronous  belts)  

Synchronous  belts  (timing  belts)  were  developed  to  transmit  power  in  drives  where  
exact   synchronization   was   required.   These   belts   transmit   power   through   the  
positive  engagement  of  belt  teeth  with  pulley  teeth.  Thus,  precise  speed  ratios  and  
synchronization   are   possible   in   such   applications   as   machine-­‐tool   indexing   heads,  
automotive  camshafts,  office  machines.  
Advantages:   Synchronous   belt   drives   have   an   advantage   over   gears   and   chains   in  
that   they   transmit   reasonably   high   loads   with   relatively   low   noise   and   without  
lubrication.   The   shock-­‐absorbing   characteristics   of   the   rubber   teeth   against   the  
metal  pulley  also  can  be  helpful.  Because  of  their  high  tensile  modulus,  these  belts  
require  more  accurate  alignment  than  V-­‐belts  but  are  more  tolerant  than  gears.    

Synchronous  belts  have  seen  increasing  use  in  application  where  V-­‐belts  and  chain  
were  used  in  the  past.  This  is  primarily  due  to  3  significant  characteristics.  

1. They   require   less   maintenance.   Both   V-­‐belts   and   chain   stretch   and   require  
periodic  take-­‐ups.  In  addition,  chain  requires  lubrication.  
2. They  are  extremely  energy  efficient.    
3. Modern   belts   have   high   power   density   (high   horsepower   ratings   with  
relatively  small  package  sizes).  
 
Slide  10  (chain  drives)  
Chains  are  composed  of  a  series  of  links  pinned  together,  in  a  form  of  flexible  gear  
connecting   2   toothed   sprocket   wheels   mounted   on   parallel   shafts.   Their   main  
advantages  are  that  they  are  as  flexible  as  belts,  they  are  as  positive  as  gears,  they  
provide   excellent   design   flexibility,   convenience,   and   resistance   to   shock   loading,  
they   operate   satisfactorily   in   adverse   surroundings,   they   can   be   manufactured   in  
various  special  steels  to  resist  specific  environments,  and  they  have  unlimited  shelf  
life,   simplicity   installation   and   general   economy.   Mechanical   efficiency,   in  
comparison   to   gear   and   belt   drives,   is   favorable.   Chains   operating   under   ideal  
conditions  can  have  efficiencies  as  high  as  97  to  99%.  

 
Standard  roller  chain  construction  
Roller   chain   is   a   series   of   connected   journal   bearings,   assembled   with   alternate  
roller   links   and   pin   links.   Each   roller   link   consists   of   2   bushings,   rollers,   and   link  
plates.   Rollers   are   slipped   onto   the   bushings;   then   the   bushings   are   press-­‐fitted   into  
the  side  plates  to  complete  a  single  roller  link  section.  The  roller  has  sufficient  side  
clearance  to  permit  free  movement  and  lubricant  access.  These  same  roller  links  are  
used  for  single  and  multiple  stranded  roller  chains.  
Pin  links  have  2  pins  press-­‐fitted  into  2  link  plates,  and  when  assembled,  the  2  pins  
slip   into   bushings   of   adjacent   roller   links.   The   side   plate   (link   plate)   on   a   pin   link  
section  is  held  in  place  by  way  of  the  pin  being  riveted  on  the  ends.    
 
Slide  11  (Standard  precision  roller  chains)  

Single  or  base  pitch  roller  chains  

Out  of  all  the  many  styles  of  chains  that  are  available,  the  most  widely  used  for  basic  
transmission   of   power   are   the   precision   roller   chains.   Their   operation   is   of  
fundamental   consideration.   The   rollers   (shock   absorbers   that   reduce   the   effects   of  
impact)  engage  and  bear  against  the  sprocket  teeth.  Bushings  are  accurately  press-­‐
fitted   into   the   link   plates   so   that   they   do   not   turn.   When   engaging   sprockets,   the  
rollers   roll   in   to   mesh   with   the   teeth   and   set   at   the   bottom   of   the   space   between   the  
teeth   to   provide   a   positive   gripping   action.   The   load   is   distributed   over   a   number   of  
teeth  to  give  smooth,  uninterrupted  transmission  of  power.    

 
Double-­‐pitch  power  transmission  roller  chains  
Double-­‐pitch  roller  chains  are  particularly  applicable  on  power  drives  where  speeds  
are  slow  to  moderate,  loads  are  generally  medium-­‐type,  or  center  distances  between  
sprockets  are  relatively  long.  Double-­‐pitch  transmission  series  chains  have  twice  the  
distance   between   rollers   of   corresponding   standard   roller   chains.   Since   double-­‐
pitch  chains  contain  only  half  as  many  rollers,  bushings  and  pins,  they  have  a  lighter  
weight  and  offer  greater  economy  than  comparable  standard  roller  chains.    

 
Slide  12  
Double-­‐pitch  conveyor  roller  chains  
The   conveyor   series   roller   chain   is   available   in   2   styles:   those   with   standard   or  
regular   diameter   rollers,   in   which   both   pin   link   plates   and   roller   link   plates   are   of  
consistent  height,  so  that  when  they  are  employed  in  horizontal  conveyor  runs,  they  
can   be   supported,   by   rails   or   tracks   (this   is   the   chief   reason   for   the   straight-­‐sided  
parallel  link  plates).    
In   the   second   style,   those   with   large-­‐diameter   or   carrier   rollers,   rollers   larger   in  
diameter   that   the   height   of   the   link   plates   are   advantageous,   so   as   to   provide   rolling  
action   or   support   along   a   desired   conveyor   path,   generally   horizontal   In   theory,  
rolling  friction  is  typically  half,  or  even  less,  than  the  level  of  sliding  friction.  Hence,  
it   is   practical   to   use   a   large-­‐diameter   roller   series   chain,   so   as   to   minimize   chain  
working  load  on  long  or  rough  conveyor  paths.    

 
Slide  13  (Engineering-­‐class  chains)  
Steel  detachable-­‐link  chain  
Steel  detachable-­‐link  chain  is  an  assembly  of  identical  one-­‐piece  formed-­‐steel  links  
that   hook   and   interfit   together,   so   as   to   form   a   continuous   chain.   This   design   allows  
the  end  bar  of  one  link  to  freely  articulate  inside  the  hook  of  the  adjacent  link.  
Detachable   chain   is   easy   to   assemble   and   to   disassemble.   Individual   links   are  
inserted  from  one  side,  at  the  proper  angle  (generally  perpendicular).    
Detachable-­‐link   chains   have   been   used   for   many   years   for   drive,   conveyor,   and  
elevator  applications  where  loads  are  light  and  without  intermitted  shocks,  speeds  
are   uniform,   and   conditions   of   operation   are   generally   nonabrasive.   Undoubtedly,  
the   largest   users   of   this   type   of   chain   throughout   the   years   have   been   the  
agricultural  and  lumber  industries.    

 
Leaf  chain  
Leaf  chain  generally  has  greater  tensile  strength  than  standard  roller  chains  and  is  
therefore  ideally  used  for  tension  linkage  applications.  Leaf  chain  is  constructed  of  
figure-­‐8-­‐shaped   interlaced   link   plates   held   together   by   riveted   pins.   There   are   no  
bushings   or   roller   incorporated   in   this   design.   Link   plates   are   generally   medium-­‐
carbon  steel,  heat-­‐treated,  and  pins  are  case-­‐hardened  for  toughness.    
Leaf   chain   is   not   usually   applied   in   endless   strands,   as   it   has   no   provision   for  
sprocket  tooth  engagement  but  rather  its  changes  of  direction  articulate  over  plain  
sheaves   pulleys.   They   are   designed   for   practically   any   application   requiring   a  
strong,   flexible   linkage   for   transmitting   reciprocating   motion   or   lift,   rather   than  
rotative  power.  Leaf  chains  are  especially  well  suited  for  use  on  hydraulic  fork-­‐life  
trucks,   as   counterweight   chains   for   machine   tools,   elevators,   and   oven   doors,   and  
other  similar  lifting  or  balancing  applications.  
 
Slide  14  

Heavy-­‐duty  offset-­‐sidebar  roller  chain  

Offset   drive   chains   are   designed   for   the   heaviest   applications   requiring   power  
transmission   such   as   construction   machinery,   conveyors,   and   power   drives;   and  
they   operate   under   the   most   severe   conditions   at   moderately   high   speeds.   Offset-­‐
sidebar  power-­‐transmission  roller  chain  is  an  assembly  of  identical  interfitting  links  
with  heavily  walled  or  extra-­‐thick  sidebars,  which  are  formed  so  as  to  provide  one  
wide  end  and  one  narrow  end  (offset)  for  each  link.    
These   rugged,   all-­‐steel   chains   are   suitable   for   a   wide   variety   of   drive   applications  
where  difficult  operating  conditions  prevail,  such  as  for  the  propel  and  crowd  drives  
on  cranes  and  power  shovels,  for  drum  drives  on  transit  mixer  trucks.  

 
 
 
Combination  chain  
These   chains   are   constructed   of   an   alternating   assembly   of   cast   one-­‐piece   center  
links   (inner   block   links),   and   outer   links   (pin   links),   that   are   mode   of   sturdy   steel  
sidebars  (hence  the  term  combination  chain).  
Combination   chains   are   extensively   used   for   conveyor   and   elevator   applications  
where  a  wide  variety  of  abrasive  and  nonabrasive  materials  must  be  handled.  

 
Slide  15  
Steel-­‐bushed  rollerless  chain    

Steel-­‐bushed  rollerless  chain  is  used  in  conveying  and  elevating  operations,  rather  
than  in  power  drives.    
 

Drop-­‐forged  rivetless  chain  

Drop-­‐forged  rivetless  chain  is  generally  regarded  as  one  of  the  strongest  chains  ever  
developed.   This   chain   is   made   up   of   an   alternating   assembly   of   a   single   inner   or  
center  loop-­‐type  link  and  two  separate  outer  links  or  sidebars,  coupled  together  by  
symmetrically  forged  T-­‐headed  pins  that  lock  into  the  sidebars  to  prevent  rotation.  
The  simplicity  of  design  permits  easy  assembly  or  dismantling  of  the  chain  without  
the  use  of  tools.    
Rivetless   chain   is   ideally   adapted   to   general   service   in   long   conveyor   runs,   where  
chain   weight   is   of   prime   consideration.   Also,   its   design   permits   extensive   use   of  
overhead   trolley   conveyor   applications   where   service   over   irregular   routes,   both  
horizontally  and  vertically,  demands  that  the  chain  flex  in  transverse  or  multiplane  
operation.  
 
Slide  16  

Self-­‐lubricating  roller  chains  

The   heavy-­‐walled,   oil-­‐impregnated,   sintered-­‐steel   bushings   replace   the  
conventional   bushings   of   roller   chains.   This   porous   bushing   material   functions  
somewhat  as  a  sponge,  with  the  lubricant  retained  in  the  voids  (20%  of  the  volume).  
While   in   operation,   the   lubricant   contained   within   the   oil-­‐impregnated   bushing  
flows  over  all  vital  surfaces.  When  the  drive  stops,  the  lubricant  is  reabsorbed  by  the  
bushing.  This  cycle  continues  throughout  the  chain’s  service  life.    
Main  advantages  not  found  in  conventional  chain:  
 1. Oil-­‐impregnated   bushing:   a   protective   film   of   oil   completely   lubricates   the  
live   bearing   area   between   pin   and   bushing,   minimizing   wear   by   reducing  
metal-­‐to-­‐metal  contact  and  internal  rusting  of  pin  and  bushing  surfaces.  
2. The  positive  clearance  between  pin  link  plate  and  roller  link  plate  creates  a  
self-­‐cleaning  action  to  eliminate  build-­‐up  of  dust,  dirt  and  corrosion.  
 
Applications:  timing  and  indexing  drives,  farm  equipment,  food  processing,  baking,  
printing,   textile   machinery,   chemical   processing,   materials   handling,   packing  
machinery.  
 

Extra-­‐clearance  roller  chain  

They   are   sometimes   referred   to   as   “side-­‐bow”   roller   chain,   are   designed   to   permit  
side   flexing   and   twisting   not   tolerated   by   conventional   roller   chains   (chain   joints).  
They   are   combined   with   special   pin   links   designed   to   allow   greater   clearance  
between   the   pins   and   bushings,   and   between   the   roller   link   and   pin   link   side   plates.  
Extra   joint   and   transverse   clearances   allow   the   chain   to   accommodate   several  
inches  of  lateral  displacement,  and  are  also  well  suited  to  transmit  loads  operating  
in  a  straight  line.  This  flexible  roller  chain  permits  twists  of  8  degrees.    
 
Slide  17  
Hollow-­‐pin  roller  chains  

They   allow   unusual   flexibility   for   conveyor   applications.   The   hollow   pin   feature  
provides  unlimited  design  versatility.  

 
Corrosion-­‐resistant  roller  chains  
Roller   chains   that   must   operate   in   conditions   involving   water,   acids   or   high  
temperatures   are   known   as   noncorrosive   and   heat-­‐resistant   roller   chains.   These  
include   roller   chains   that   are   an   assembly   of   stainless   steel   (almost   all   components)  
and  those  that  are  an  assembly  of  plated  components.    
Stainless   steel   chains   are   made   from   a   combination   of   materials   to   give   long   service  
life.  
Plated  roller  chains  are  preferred  when  chains  operate  in  mildly  corrosive  
environments  or  for  decorative  applications.  They  provide  greater  corrosion  
resistance  than  their  counterpart  carbon-­‐steel  chain.