Belt drives

The belt/rope – pulley system is widely used for the transmission of power from one shaft to another. There exist mainly three categories- flat, V and circular belts. Commonly used materials for the fabrication of belts are leather, cotton, rubber and balata. A belt drive comprises of a pair of cylinders. A belt drive is often used to transfer the motion. Flat belts are employed by industry/workshops. Flat belts are flexible and are capable of absorbing shocks and vibrations. V belts are employed by factories/workshops. Friction developed between pulleys and belt is used to transmit a torque. In an open belt drive, shafts are arranged parallely which rotate in the same direction. Cross belt drives have shafts in parallel orientation but rotating in opposite directions. To obtain high velocity ratio, a belt drive with idler pulley is used. Compound belt drive is another type where a number of pulleys are used. The tension under which the belt is placed on the pulleys also crucial here.