Belt, Rope and Chain Drive

Compiled By :
Prof. [Link]
Assistant Professor
Mechanical Engineering Department
Faculty of Technology
DDU, Nadiad.
 Introduction
• Power is transmitted from one shaft to another by means of
belts, ropes, chains and gears.
• Distance
• Flexible
• Property of material
• Transmission of power due to friction
• Not positive drive
Elements of Belt Drive
Belt and Rope drive
 Belt Drive

Flat Belt
 Belt Drive

V-Belt
 Rope Drive

Rope

Pulleys with several grooves

Open Belt Drive
Crossed Belt Drive
 Velocity Ratio of Belt Drive
It is the ratio between the velocities of the driver and the follower or
driven. It may be expressed, mathematically Let
d1 = Diameter of the driver,
d2 = Diameter of the follower
N1 = Speed of the driver in r.p.m., and
N2 = Speed of the follower in r.p.m.
Length of the belt that passes over the driver, in one minute = π d1.N1
Length of the belt that passes over the follower, in one minute = π d2.N2

Since the length of belt that passes over the driver in one minute is equal to
the length of belt that passes over the follower in one minute, therefore
π d1. N1 = π d2 . N2 So, Velocity Ratio =

when the thickness of the belt is considered,

then velocity ratio,
=
 Types of Belt Drives
The belt drives are usually classified into the following three groups :
1. Light drives.
• 10 m/s
• Agricultural machines and small machine tools.
2. Medium drives.
• 10 m/s but up to 22 m/s
• machine tools.
3. Heavy drives.
• above 22 m/s
• compressors and generators.
 Materials for Belt

Manila Rope

Hemp rope Wire rope

Actions of Belts on Pulleys (Slip
Phenomenon)
 Selection of a Belt Drive
1. Speed of the driving and driven shafts
2. Speed reduction ratio,
3. Power to be transmitted
4. Centre distance between the shafts
5. Positive drive requirements,
6. Shafts layout,
7. Service conditions
8. Space available Centre distance between the shafts
 Materials for Belt
• Climate
• Service requirement
1. Flat belt
• Leather, canvas, cotton and rubber
• 8-10 m
• 22 m/s
• Leather belts (1.2 to 1.5m)
• Specified by layers
• Cleaned and dressed
Materials for Belt

Leather Belt
 Materials for Belt
• Fabric belts (cotton or canvas)
• Waterproof
• Belt conveyor and farm machinery
• Rubber belts (flexible)
• Destroyed quickly due to heat, grease or oil.
• Paper and saw mill.
2. V-Belt
• 30-40 degree angle
• 4m
• Speed ratio 7 to 1
• 24 m/s
 Materials for Belt

Nylon Belt
V- Belt
 Materials for Belt
3. Ropes
• Cotton, hemp, manila or wire
• Hemp and manila (rough)
• 30 m
• < 3 m/s
• Wire ropes
• Large power transmission
• Long distance
• Cranes, conveyors, elevators
• Lightweight, reliable, durable and withstand shock load.
SLIP
SLIP
 Example

• A shaft runs at 80 rpm and drives another shaft at 150 rpm

through belt drive. The diameter of driving pulley is 600 mm.
determine the diameter of the driven pulley in following
cases :
1. Neglecting belt thickness.
2. Taking belt thickness as 5 mm.
3. Assuming for case (ii) a total slip of 5%.
4. Assuming for case (ii) a slip of 2% on each pulley.
Quarter turn Belt Drive
Compound Belt drive
Stepped or Cone pulley Drive
Fast and Loose Pulley Drive
Belt drive with Idler pulley
 Law of Belting

Fig. 2
Fig. 1
 Velocity Ratio of a Compound Belt
Drive
• Velocity ratio of pulley 1 and
2, = …….(1)

• Similarly, Velocity ratio of

pulley 3 and 4, = ……(2)

Multiplying equation (1) and (2)

• =
 Creep Phenomenon in Belt Drive
• Initial tension, effective tension
• Continuous
• Stretch is different
• The length of belt leaving the driver is more than approaching
driven
• Uneven extension and contraction
• Varying tension
• Relative motion
 Length of belt for open belt drive

Let, A and B be the pulley centre.

CD and EF the common tangent to the pulley circle.
Lo = length of belt for open belt drive
r = radius of smaller pulley
R = radius of larger pulley
C = centre distance between pulleys
β = angle subtended by each common tangent with the line of centre
of pulley (AB)
 Length of belt for open belt drive
• Total length of the belt comprises of,
⮚ The length if the belt in contact with smaller pulley
⮚ The length of the belt in contact with larger pulley
⮚ The length not in contact with either pulley.

Draw AN ‖ CD, so that

and BN = R-r

CD Is tangent to two circles

AC and BD are Perpendicular to CD or AN
AB ꓕ BK and AN ꓕ BD
 Length of belt for open belt drive
BA ꓕ AJ and NA ꓕ AC

Length of belt for open belt drive,

Lo = 2 [Arc GC + CD + Arc DH]
= 2[ ]

= 2[ ]

= ………..(1)
 Length of belt for open belt drive
• This relation gives exact length of belt required for an open
belt drive.

• An approximate relation for the length of belt can also be

found in terms of R, r and C eliminating β, if β is small.

=
Length of belt for open belt drive

• Substitute the above value of cos β in equation (1)

Lo =

=
 Length of belt for crossed belt drive

• Let, A and B be the pulley centre.

CD and EF the common tangent to the pulley circle.
= length of belt for cross belt drive
r = radius of smaller pulley
R = radius of larger pulley
C = centre distance between pulleys
β = angle subtended by each common tangent with the line of
centre of pulley (AB)
 Length of belt for crossed belt drive
• Draw AN ‖ CD meeting BD produced at N so that,

= Length of cross belt drive

= 2 [Arc GC + CD + Arc DH]
=

=
=
 Length of belt for crossed belt drive
• This relation gives exact length of belt required for an open
belt drive.

For small angle of β, sin β= β

=
=

=
 Length of belt for crossed belt drive
=

This is an approximate relation for length of the belt.

 Example
• Two parallel shaft connected by a crossed belt, are provided
with pulleys 600mm and 800mm in diameter. the distance
between the centre lines of shaft is 8 m. find by how much
length of the belt should be changed if it us desired to alter
the direction of rotation of the driven shaft.
• Given data :
R = 400 mm
r = 300 mm
C=8m

Ans : length of the belt should be reduced by 60 mm.

 Ratio of Friction tension for Flat Belt
Let,
= tension on tight side
= tension on slack side
= angle of contact of belt over the pulley
= co-efficient of friction between belt
And pulley
Consider a short length (ab) of belt subtending
angle at the centre of pulley.
R = normal reaction between element length of belt and pulley
T = tension on slack side of the element
δT = increase in tension on tight side than slack side
T+ δT = tension on tight side of the element
 Ratio of Friction tension for Flat Belt
• Tensions T and T+δT act in the direction perpendicular to the
radius drawn at the end of the elements.
• friction force will act tangentially on rim of the pulley, which
resist slipping of the elementary belt on the pulley.
• Strip ab to be in equilibrium under the forces T, T+δT and R.
• Angle is small so, sin =
Resolve the forces in radial direction,

……………(1)
 Ratio of Friction tension for Flat Belt
Take moment about centre of pulley,

…………(2)
Substitute value of R from equation(1)

Integrating between limits,

 Ratio of Friction tension for Flat Belt

Above equation for ratio of friction tension for flat belt drive.
Ratio of Friction tension for V- Belt
 Ratio of Friction tension for Flat Belt
• In case of V-belt drive there are two normal reaction so, radial
reaction is equal to
• On each face of the sheave friction and resistance being
Total frictional force =
Resolve the forces radially,

As is small
Ratio of Friction tension for V- Belt

Take moment about centre of pulley,

 Ratio of Friction tension for V- Belt
Integrating between limits,

For flat belt drive

Substitute
 Power transmitted by Belt
Let,
= Tension on tight side
= tension on slack side
V = linear velocity of belt in m/s
P = power transmitted in kw
Effective tension to drive driven pulley
= difference in tension ( - )
Effective tension T = ( - )
Linear velocity pf belt = V m/s
Work done/sec = T x V N.m/s
Power transmitted P= ( - )V watt
 Example
• In a belt drive speed of belt 540 m/min. maximum tension
2100 N and ratio of tension 2.63, find power to be
transmitted.
Given data :
V = 540 m/min = 9 m/s
 Example
Find initial tension of an open belt drive from following data:
⮚ Diameter of driving pulley = 500 mm
⮚ Arc of contact with driving pulley = 3 rad
⮚ Co-efficient of friction = 0.4
⮚ Power to be transmitted at 360 rpm = 3.7 kw
Solution :
From ratio of belt tension,
Example
 Example
A belt drive transmits 8kw of power from a shaft rotating at
240 rpm to another shaft rotating at 160 rpm. The belt is 8
mm thick. The diameter of the smaller pulley is 6oo mm and
the two shafts are 5 m apart. The co-efficient of friction is
0.25. if the maximum stress in the belt is limited to
find the width of the belt for i) an open belt drive and ii)a
cross belt drive.
Given data :
Example
 Example
• For open belt drive
 Example
• For cross belt
 Centrifugal effect on belt
Let,
= Centrifugal tension on tight and slack side of element
= Centrifugal force on element
r = radius of the pulley
V = velocity of the belt
= angle of lap of element over the pulley
 Centrifugal effect on belt
Length of belt =
For elemental length of belt mass =

Centrifugal force acting on belt,

For equilibrium of belt,

 Centrifugal effect on belt
• As is small

Total tension on the tight side = friction tension + centrifugal

tension
Total tension on slack side =
1)Centrifugal tension considered:
Friction tension on tight side
 Centrifugal effect on belt
Be the friction tension on slack side

2) Centrifugal tension neglected :

Friction tension on tight side
Be the friction tension on slack side
Centrifugal effect on belt
Maximum power transmitted by a belt
• We know that power transmitted by a belt,

Ratio of driving tension,

For maximum power differentiate wrt V

Maximum power transmitted by a belt
 Example
• In a flat belt drive width of belt is 100 mm and thickness is 6
mm, arc of contact with pulley is 120 degree and co-efficient
of friction is 0.3, if a density of belt is and allowable
stress is . Find belt speed when maximum power is to
be transmitted.
Given data :
 Example

For maximum power,

 Example
A shaft rotating at 200 rpm drives another shaft at 300 rpm
and transmits6 kW through a belt. The belt is 100 mm wide
and 10 mm thick. The distance between the shafts is 4m.
The smaller pulley is 0.5 m in diameter. Calculate the stress in
the belt, if it is
1. an open belt drive, and
2. a cross belt drive. Take μ = 0.3.
 Example
Find thickness of belt considering centrifugal tension from
following data:
⮚ Diameter of pulley = 3m = D
⮚ Speed = 240 rpm = N
⮚ Power to be transmitted = 30 kW = P
⮚ Arc of contact = =
⮚ Co-efficient of friction = 0.3 =
⮚ maximum stress = =
⮚ Mass of belt = 0.22 kg/m = m
⮚ Width of the belt = 200 mm = b
Example
 Example
Determine the maximum power transmitted by a V-belt drive
having the included V groove angle of 35. the belt used is 18
mm deep with 18 mm maximum width and weights 300
gm/m [Link] angle of lap is and the maximum
permissible stress is Take the co-efficient of friction
to be 0.2.
Given data :
 Example
Maximum tension in the belt,
 Initial Tension
Tension on tight side
Tension on slack side

Initial tension is mean of tight and slack side tension.

 Example
Following data is given for rope pulley transmitting 24 kW.
❑ Diameter of pulley 400mm
❑ Angle of groove 45 degree
❑ Angle of lap on smaller pulley 160
❑ Co-efficient of friction 0.28
❑ Number of ropes 10
❑ Mass in kg/m length of rope
❑ Working tension is limited to
Where C is circumference of rope in meter
Find initial tension and diameter of each rope.
 Example
Power transmitted by each rope,
Example
 Example
• 8.5kW power is to be transmitted by an open belt drive. The
linear velocity of the belt is 10m/s. the angle of lap on smaller
pulley is 175. the co-efficient of friction is 0.4 and maximum
tension 1200N.
• Determine the effect on power transmission
1. Initial tension in the belt increased by 10%
2. Co-efficient of friction is increased by 10%
3. Angle of lap is increased by 5% by use of idler pulley for the
same speed and tension on the tight side.
Given data :
P=8.5kW
V=10 m/s
 Example

1) Initial tension
increased by 10%
 Example
2) co-efficient of friction increased by 10%

Initial tension
Initial tension with centrifugal tension
Total tension on tight side
Total tension on slack side
Initial tension with centrifugal tension

When the belt drive is started V=0,

Thus

maximum tension in the belt is more while starting the drive.

 Example
• The initial tension in the belt drive is found to be 600N and
the ratio of friction tension is 1.8. The mass of the belt is 0.8
kg/m length. Determine
1. Velocity of belt for maximum power transmission.
2. Tension on tight side of belt when it is started
3. Tension on tight side of belt when running at maximum
speed.
Given data :
Example
 Example
A compressor requiring 90 kW is to run about 250 rpm. The
drive is by V-belt from an electric motor running at 750 rpm.
The diameter of the pulley on compressor shaft must not be
greater than 1 m, while the centre distance between the
pulleys is limited to 1.75 m. The belt speed should not exceed
1600 m/min.
Determine number of V-belts required to transmit the power
if each belt has cross section area of density
And allowable tensile stress of 2.5 Mpa. The groove angle of
pulley is . The co-efficient of friction between belt and
pulley is 0.25.
Calculate also length required for each belt.
Example
 Example
• Power is transmitted using a V-belt drive. The included angle
of V-groove is 30°. The belt is 20 mm deep and maximum
width is 20 mm. If the mass of the belt is 0.35 kg per metre
length and maximum allowable stress is 1.4 MPa, determine
the maximum power transmitted when the angle of lap is
140°. μ = 0.15.
 7/15/2023
V-belt drive
• The V-belts are made of fabric and cords
moulded in rubber and covered with fabric
and rubber, as shown in Fig. These belts are
moulded to a trapezoidal shape and are made
endless.
• These are particularly suitable for short drives
 7/15/2023
V-belt drive
• The included angle for the V-belt is usually from 30° –
40°. In case of flat belt drive, the belt runs over the
pulleys whereas in case of V-belt drive, the rim of the
pulley is grooved in which the V-belt runs.
• The effect of the groove is to increase the frictional
grip of the V-belt on the pulley and to reduce the
tendency of slipping.
• Thus A clearance must be provided at the bottom of
the groove, as shown in Fig. 11.19 (b), in order to
prevent touching to the bottom as it becomes
narrower from wear.
 7/15/2023
V-belt drive
• In order to increase the power output, several V-
belts may be operated side by side. It may be
noted that in multiple V-belt drive, all the belts
should stretch at the same rate so that the load is
equally divided between them.
• When one of the set of belts break, the entire set
should be replaced at the same time.
• If only one belt is replaced, the new unworn and
unstressed belt will be more tightly stretched and
will move with different velocity.
 7/15/2023
Rope Drive
• The rope drives are widely used where a large amount
of power is to be transmitted, from one pulley to
another, over a considerable distance.
• It may be noted that the use of flat belts is limited for
the transmission of moderate power from one pulley
to another when the two pulleys are not more than 8
metres apart.
• If large amounts of power are to be transmitted by the
flat belt, then it would result in excessive belt cross-
section.
• The rope drives use the following two types of ropes :
• 1. Fibre ropes, and 2. Wire ropes.
 7/15/2023
• Fibre Ropes
• The ropes for transmitting power are usually made
from fibrous materials such as hemp, manila and
cotton.
• the hemp and manila fibres are rough, therefore the
ropes made from these fibres are not very flexible and
possesses poor mechanical properties.
• The hemp ropes have less strength as compared to
manila ropes.
• When the hemp and manila ropes are bent over the
sheave (or pulley), there is some sliding of fibres,
causing the rope to wear and chafe internally.
 7/15/2023
• minimise this defect, the rope fibres are
lubricated with a tar, tallow or graphite.
• The lubrication also makes the rope moisture
proof. The hemp ropes are suitable only for hand
operated hoisting machinery and as tie ropes for
lifting tackle, hooks etc.
• The cotton ropes are very soft and smooth. The
lubrication of cotton ropes is not necessary.
• if it is done, it reduces the external wear
between the rope and the grooves of its sheaves.
 7/15/2023
• Sheave for Fibre Ropes
• The fibre ropes are usually circular in cross-section as shown in Fig.
• The sheave for the fibre ropes is shown in Fig. The groove angle of the
pulley for rope drives is usually 45°.
• The grooves in the pulleys are made narrow at the bottom and the rope is
pinched between the edges of the V-groove to increase the holding power
of the rope on the pulley.
 7/15/2023
• Wire Ropes
• When a large amount of power is to be
transmitted over long distances from one
pulley to another (i.e. when the pulleys are
upto 150 metres apart), then wire ropes are
used.
• The wire ropes are widely used in elevators,
mine hoists, cranes, conveyors, and
suspension bridges.
 Specification of belt
Textile conveyor belt
1000m DIN 22102 AB 1000 EP 630/4 6/2

1000m length
DIN 22102 standard
AB manufacturers Acronym
1000 belt width in mm
EP material Polyster
630 minimum breaking strength N/mm
4 no of plies
6 top cover thickness
2 bottom cover thickness
 7/15/2023
Chain drive

[Link]
 Chain drive

7/15/2023
• in belt and rope drives that 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 have projecting teeth and fit into the
corresponding recesses, in the links of the chain as shown
in Fig.
• 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.
 Chain drive
• The chains are mostly used to transmit power and motion
from one shaft to another when the distace between the
centre of shaft is short.
• Bicycle, motor cycle, agricultural machineries, road rollers.
 7/15/2023
Chain drive
• Advantages
• As no slip takes place during chain drive, hence perfect
velocity ratio is obtained.
• Since the chains are made of metal, therefore they occupy
less space in width than a belt or rope drive.
• The chain drives may be used when the distance between the
shafts is less.
• The chain drive gives a high transmission efficiency (upto 98
per cent).
• The chain drive gives less load on the shafts.
 7/15/2023
Chain drive
• Disadvantages
• The production cost of chains is relatively high.
• The chain drive needs accurate mounting and careful
maintenance.
• The chain drive has velocity fluctuations especially when
unduly stretched.
 7/15/2023
Terms used in chain drive
Pitch: It is the distance
between the hinge centre of a
link and the corresponding
hinge centre of the adjacent
link.

Pitch circle diameter : It is the

diameter of the circle on which
the hinge centres of the chain
lie, when the chain is wrapped
round a sprocket.
 Relation between pitch and pitch

7/15/2023
circle diameter
• Let T = number of teeth on
sprocket
• θ = angle subtended by link
at center of sprocket
• r = radius of pitch circle.
p = 2r sin θ/2
but θ = 360/T
p = 2r sin 180/T

r = p/2 cosec 180/T

 Chain length

7/15/2023
Let , T1 = number of teeth on larger
sprocket
T2 = number of teeth on smaller
sprocket
 Chain length

7/15/2023
Cont…
From the relation between pitch and pitch circle diameter,

For larger sprocket,

For smaller sprocket,

 Chain length

7/15/2023
Cont…

If x = m*p

L=pk

Where k = multiplying factor

 Example

7/15/2023
• A chain drive is used for reduction of speed from 240
r.p.m. to 120 r.p.m. The number of teeth on the driving
sprocket is 20. Find the number of teeth on the driven
sprocket. If the pitch circle diameter of the driven
sprocket is 600 mm and centre to centre distance
between the two sprockets is 800 mm, determine the
pitch and length of the chain.
 Types of chain

7/15/2023
• Chains are classifieds in three groups :
1) Hoisting chain
2) Conveyor chain
3) Power transmitting chain
1. Hoisting chain :
1. Chain with oval link
2. Chain with square link

Square link
Oval link
 7/15/2023
Types of chain
• Chain with oval link
• The links of this type of chain are of oval shape, as shown in
Fig.
• The joint of each link is welded. The sprockets which are used
for this type of chain have receptacles to receive the links.
• Such type of chains are used only at low speeds such as in
chain hoists and in anchors for marine works.
 7/15/2023
Types of chain
• Chain with square link
• The links of this type of chain are of square shape, as shown
in Fig.
• Such type of chains are used in hoists, cranes, dredges. The
manufacturing cost of this type of chain is less than that of
chain with oval links, but in these chains, the kinking occurs
easily on overloading.
 Types of chain

7/15/2023
Cont…
2. Conveyor chain
1. Detachable type
2. Closed joint type

Detachable type Closed joint type

 7/15/2023
Types of chain
• The conveyor chains are usually made of malleable cast iron.
These chains do not have smooth running qualities.
• The conveyor chains run at slow speeds of about 3 to 12
km.p.h.
 Types of chain

7/15/2023
Cont…
3. Power transmitting chain
1. Block chain
 Types of chain

7/15/2023
Cont…
• A block chain, as shown in Fig. is also known as bush chain.
• This type of chain was used in the early stages of
development in the power transmission.
• It produces noise when approaching or leaving the teeth of
the sprocket because of rubbing between the teeth and the
links. Such type of chains are used to some extent as
conveyor chain at small speed.
 Types of chain

7/15/2023
Cont…
2. Bush roller chain
 7/15/2023
Types of chain
• A bush roller chain, as shown in Fig. consists of outer plates or
pin link plates, inner plates or roller link plates, pins, bushes
and rollers.
• A pin passes through the bush which is secured in the holes of
the roller between the two sides of the chain.
• The rollers are free to rotate on the bush which protect the
sprocket wheel teeth against wear.
• A bush roller chain is extremely strong and simple in
construction.
• It gives good service under severe conditions. There is a little
noise with this chain which is due to impact of the rollers on
the sprocket wheel teeth.
Thank You