The most common systems for transmitting power from a drive to a driven shaft are belt, gear, and chain drives. But V-belt drive systems, also known as friction drives (because power is transmitted as a result of the belt’s adherence to the pulley) are an economical option for industrial, automotive, commercial, agricultural, and house appliance applications. V-belt drives are also simple to install, need no lubrication, and dampen shock load.
Here’s the catch: Standard friction drives may both slide and creep, resulting in inexact velocity ratios or degraded timing precision between input and output shafts. For this reason, it is essential to select a belt befitting the application accessible.
Belt drives are one of the earliest power transmitting systems and were widely used during the Industrial Revolution. After that, flat belts conveyed power over large distances and were made from leather. Later, needs for more powerful machinery, and the development of large markets like the automobile industry spurred new belt designs. V-belts, with a trapezoidal or V shape, manufactured from rubber, neoprene, and urethane synthetic materials, replaced flat belts. Now, the improved overall surface material of contemporary belts adheres to pulley grooves through friction drive, to reduce the tension necessary to transmit torque. The top part of the belt, called the tension or insulation section, consists of fiber cords for increased strength as it carries the load of traction push. It can help hold tension members set up and acts as a binder for higher adhesion between cords and additional sections. This way, heat build-up is reduced, extending belt life.
We’ve designed our V-belts for wear, corrosion, and heat level of resistance with OE quality match and building for reliable, long-lasting performance.
V-Belts are the most common kind of drive belt used for power transmitting. Their primary function can be to transmit power from a primary source, like a motor, to a secondary driven unit. They provide the best mixture of traction, speed transfer, load distribution, and extended service life. Most are unlimited and their cross section is trapezoidal or “V” shaped. The “V” shape of the belt tracks in a similarly shaped groove on a pulley or sheave. The v-belt wedges into the groove as the strain increases creating power distribution and torque. V-belts are generally manufactured from rubber or v belt china polymer or there may be fibers embedded for added strength and reinforcement.
V-belts are generally found in two construction groups: envelope (wrapped) and raw edge.
Wrapped belts have an increased resistance to oils and extreme temperatures. They can be utilized as friction clutches during set up.
Raw edge type v-belts are better, generate less heat, enable smaller pulley diameters, enhance power ratings, and offer longer life.
V-belts look like relatively benign and basic pieces of equipment. Just measure the top width and circumference, find another belt with the same measurements, and slap it on the drive. There’s only 1 problem: that strategy is approximately as wrong as you can get.