Tech Tips V-belt selection depends on application recent issues of Tech Tips we have illustrated a shaft:bearing arrangement to show the various methads used to determine bearing loads and shaft diameters. Building on these previous examples, the following information will help with Y-belt selection. Figure No 1 Bearing Support a 55 APM Peace = (Required) 1.51 Chain Ratio 1072 APM Required Input Speed <9) [Gearbox edq 1421 Ratio azSAPM V-Belt Drive 25 hp BC BEARING 1750 RPM ENGINEERS LIMITED Eetore selecting a V-belt drive over an alternative drive system, it is important to recognize the following advantages and disadvantages of V-belts Advantages: er lexible drives r with efficiencies up la 96% 1. Less expensive t 2. Can transmit pow Can tranant more torcue wit le 1siow than a flat belt because: of wedging action tively smal sheave diam eters and small cenier-to-center distances Are. more compact than flat belts 6. Possess good shock absorbing preverties which elongate the lite ef machinery and minimize the et fects of vibration width ane 4. Can accoTmodate r Disadvantages: 1. Ma tension anc stalic friction between belt and sheave is mantained 2, As torque increases beyand dasign caoa- bilities, c'ticioney decrzases du Lo sliopage 3, Vbelis can ard slip, making ther susceptioie to etficencies as low as 70% 4, Operation at high speeds usually lewers the forge aganst ine sheave, reduces effi cieney and increases belt wear enarce required to ensure be'tSelecting The Proper V-belt In order to select the proper V-belt, the following information is required: @ Motor no and speed @ = Application (Used to determine service factor) @ Required driven speed m@ Centre distance required (to determine belt length} @) Dnver and oriven shait diameter (te determine bushing sizes) Armed with this information, it is a relatively easy task to use any of the belt manu- facturer’s calalogues or the recently available computer software to select the cor- rect belts. You can also contact any branch of B.C. Bearing Engineers Ltd. for assistance. Example from figure #1: Motor hp anc speed: =25 hp Application: Gearbox-Gonlinuous Service:Fequired Speed =1072 RPM Service Factor: =1.2 Ratio. 21.631 Center Distance =30" Motor shait and Diameter =1.875" Gearbox shaft diameter =1.875" Solution: Motor sheave: 3 groove SV 4.62" diameter Gearbox sheave: 3 groove 5¥ 7.50" diameter Balt S groove SYX 800 Center distance 30.4" Under ideal conditions, a theoretical belt life of 25,000 hours could be obtained. Proper installation, tension and maintenance are important factors affecting belt life. Correct tensioning is critical.Belt Tensioning Procedures: There are two common methods of belt tensioning: the General Method and the Force De'lection Method. General Method: Operate the drive a few minutes to seat the belts in the sheave grooves. Observe the operation of the drive under its Fighest load condition (usually starting}. A slight bowing of the slack side of the drive indicates proper tensior. If he slack side remains taut during the peak load, the arive is too tight, Excessive bowing or slippage indicates insuffic ent tension. if the belts squeal as the motor comes on or at some subsequent peak load, they are nat tight enough to celiver the torque cemanded by the crive machine. The drive should be stopped and the belts tightened Force Deflection Method: ke ——__Span tength Determine value of h — he 4 wnere te e4 Vv Determine minimum force fron tables provided by belt supplier Examole (trom so.utiony te \ (504 (A = 204 0.47" Fram Table #1 Spood Flange Dlemetar 5VX Bell 1200-3600 APM for smallest sneave 5,2" diameter for smallest sheave 1.5 belt Ratio Tam sooo [oa fee lw “4. Minimum Force = 9.0¥ tfrom table} soatang [it pe Maximum force= 9.0 x 1.5 = 13.