List of Terms and Symbols for Power Transmission Belts

Design (transmission power, transmission capacity, Belt-tensioning method-related Others

Belt/pulley dimension-related
correction factor)-related
Term Symbol Meaning of term Term Symbol Meaning of term
Term Symbol Meaning of term Term Symbol Meaning of term
Theoretical tension that should Dynamic frictional factor that
Transmission Belt power to be transmitted Initial tension To be given to the belt for power Friction factor μ occurs between the belt and the
Pt Pitch length Lp Length along the belt’s pitch line
power from driving shaft to driven shaft transmission pulley

Tension applied when a belt

Power for belt selection obtained Length calculated with the Dynamic frictional factor
is attached or re-tensioned Apparent frictional
by correcting driven power with pulley’s effective diameter when Installation tension Ti μ́ corrected by the wedge effect of
Design power Pd Effective length Le taking changes in tension into factor
various transmission correction a belt is attached to two identical a V-belt
consideration
factors pulleys to a fixed tension
Number of meshed teeth
Power consumed by the driven Length along the back face or Tension at a halt after the belt Number of meshed
Driven power Pn Outside length Lo Static tension Tp Zm between a synchronous belt and
shaft outer face of a belt finished operating teeth
a synchronous pulley

Correction factor for transmission Tension for rotating pulleys and

power due to load characteristics Length along the bottom face or Central angle to an arch in
Overload factor Ks Inside length Li Effective tension Te a difference between tight side Angle of contact θ
or other operating conditions inner face of a belt contact with a belt and a pulley
tension and slack side tension
(Ks=Ko+Ki+Ke)
Transmission correction factor Tension that is generated by
used in relation to load variation Speed (m/sec) in the length
Load correction Pulley outside Maximum diameter of the Centrifugal tension Tc centrifugal force on the belt on a Belt speed v
Ko and operation frequency of the do direction when a belt is running
factor diameter periphery of a pulley body rotating pulley
driving machine or machinery
used
Tension that occurs on the tight Mass (kg/m) per unit width or
The pulley with a larger diameter Tight side tension Tt Belt unit mass m
Idler correction Transmission correction factor side of a belt length of a belt
Ki Large pulley D of a pair of pulleys connected by
factor used when an idler is used
a belt
Transmission correction Tension that occurs on the slack Revolution of the shaft to which a
factor used depending on The pulley with a smaller Slack side tension Ts Pinion revolution n₁
Environmental side of a belt pinion is attached
Ke the environmental conditions Pinion d diameter of a pair of pulleys
correction factor
(temperature, humidity, etc.) in connected by a belt
which a belt is used Maximum drive Maximum tension among the Revolution of large Revolution of the shaft to which a
Transmission correction factor Tmax n₂
tension tensions that occur on a belt pulley large pulley is attached
Speed ratio used in relation to the speed ratio Diameter of a pitch line of a belt
Kr Pitch diameter dp
correction factor at the time of acceleration or wound around a pulley
deceleration Height of projection of a V-belt
Maximum drive tension allowed
Value obtained by adding an Allowable tension Ta Ride out ro over the peripheral surface of a
under given conditions
Transmission additional transmission capacity Diameter with the effective width V-pulley
Pe Effective diameter de
capacity by the rotation ratio to the basic of a V-pulley
Radial distance between the pitch
power rating (Pe = Pr + Pa)
Load applied by belt tension on a diameter and the addendum
Power that can be transmitted for Shaft load F PLD a
Distance between the centers of shaft circle diameter of a synchronous
a certain time with the standard pulley
Basic power rating Pr Center distance C two shafts to which pulleys are
condition of a belt with reference
attached
dimensions Load applied on a shaft to which Difference between two adjacent
Adjacent pitch
Transmission capacity obtained Static shaft load Fr the respective pulley is attached ak pitches on a pitch circle of a
error
Corrected power by correcting the basic power Temporary center Pre-planned rough center when the belt is stationary synchronous pulley
Pc C’
rating rating with various belt correction distance distance
Difference between the sum of
factors
Load applied on a shaft to which actual pitches and measured
Transmission Cumulative pitch
Transmission capacity added Amount of adjustment of the Dynamic shaft load Fc each pulley is attached when the Ek values on a pitch circle between
capacity added Cs error
Pa to the basic power rating Adjustment range center distance for attaching or belt is operating two arbitrarily chosen teeth of a
depending on the Ci
depending on the speed ratio tensioning a belt synchronous pulley
speed ratio
Load with which a belt is Play between mating flanks when
Belt correction factor used when
Length correction Standard effective Effective length of a belt of a Deflection load Fδ pressed when the belt tension is Backlash Lc a synchronous belt is meshed
Kl the effective length is other than L
factor length standard size measured by deflection with a synchronous pulley
the reference length
Rough effective length of a belt Position of displacement in the Angle formed by the center line
Belt correction factor used when
Width correction Rough effective calculated from a temporary Deflection δ load direction when a deflection Pressure angle β of a tooth and the line of a mating
Kb the belt width is other than the L’
factor length of a belt center distance and a pulley load is applied flank of a synchronous belt
reference width
diameter
Belt correction factor used when Distance between contact points
Mesh correction the number of meshed teeth Span length Ls of a common tangent of two
Km
factor in synchronous belt power pulleys
transmission is five or less
Belt correction factor used
Contact angle
Kθ when the angle of contact is
correction factor
less than 180°

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 List of Formulas List of Formulas

Item Formula Remarks Item Formula Remarks

Pd : Design power (kW) Ki: Idler correction factor Ts : Slack side tension (N) v: Belt speed (m/s)
Slack side
Design power Pd = Pt × (Ko + Ki + Kr + Ke) Pt: Transmission power (kW) Kr: Speed ratio correction factor Ts = Tc = mv² Tc : Centrifugal tension (N)
Ko : Load correction factor Ke: Environmental correction factor
tension
(synchronous belt) m : Belt unit mass (kg/m)

Pt : Transmission power (kW) Ts : Slack side tension (N) v: Belt speed (m/s)
Transmission Tr × n Slack side 1.25 - Kθ 1000Pd
Pt = Tr : Load torque (N•m) Ts = × + Nmv² Kθ : Contact angle correction factor N: Number of belts
power 9550 tension Kθ v
n : Revolution (rpm) (V-belt) Pd : Design power (kW) m: Belt unit mass (kg/m)

Torque Trq : Load torque at the time of a sudden stop or sudden acceleration (N•m)
To : Initial tension (N)
ΣGD² × (n₁ - n₂) Tt + Ts
( )
　at the time of sudden GD² : Flywheel effect (kgf•m²)
Trq = Initial tension To = 0.9 × Tt : Tight side tension (N)
stop or sudden 38.2 × t n₁ - n₂ : Difference in revolution (rpm) 2
acceleration (synchronous belt) (V-belt) Ts : Slack side tension (N)
t : Time (s) to change from n₁ to n₂
Pdq : Design power at the time of a sudden stop or sudden acceleration
Design power Fr : Static shaft load (N)
(kW) Static shaft load θ₁

( )
　at the time of sudden Trq • n Fr = 1.5 × (2 • To • sin ) To : Initial tension (N)
Pdq = × Kq n : Revolution (rpm) (Max.) 2
stop or sudden 9550 (V-belt) θ₁ : Angle (°)of contact of pinion
acceleration (synchronous belt) Kq : Correction factor by rotation at the time of a sudden stop or sudden
acceleration
Fc : Dynamic shaft load (N) Kθ: Contact angle correction factor
Dynamic shaft 2.5 - Kθ 1000Pd θ₁
n₁ n1 : Pinion revolution (rpm) Fc = × sin Pd : Design power (kW) θ₁: Pinion contact angle (°)
Speed ratio Speed ratio = load Kθ v 2 (V-belt)
n₂ n2 : Large pulley revolution (rpm) v : Belt speed (m/s)

Fr : Static shaft load (N)

dp : Pitch diameter (mm) Z : Number of teeth of pulley θ₁
dp = pt • Z / π Static shaft load Fr = 2To sin To : Initial tension (N)
Pulley dia. do : Pulley outside diameter (mm) π : 3.1416 2
do = pt • Z / π - 2a (synchronous belt) θ₁ : Angle (°)of contact of pinion
(synchronous belt) Pt : Pulley tooth pitch (mm) a : PLD (mm)
Fc : Dynamic shaft load (N)
v : Belt speed (m/s) Dynamic shaft 1000Pd
dp • n Fc= Pd : Design power (kW)
Belt speed v= dp : Pulley pitch diameter (mm) load v
19100 (synchronous belt) v : Belt speed (m/s)
n : Pulley revolution (rpm)
Ls : Span length (mm) dp: Pinion pitch diameter (mm)

Pitch length Lp = 2C + 1.57(Dp + dp) +

(Dp - dp)² Lp : Pitch length (mm)
C : Center distance (mm)
dp: Pinion pitch diameter (mm) Span length Ls = 　C² - (Dp 4- dp)² C : Center distance (mm)
4C Dp : Large pulley pitch diameter (mm)
Dp : Large pulley pitch diameter (mm)

C : Center distance (mm) Dp: Large pulley pitch diameter (mm)

B + √B² - 2(Dp - dp)²
Center distance C=
4
B = Lp - 1.57(Dp + dp) dp: Pinion pitch diameter (mm) List of SI Units
Lp : Pitch length (mm)
　SI (abbreviation for International System of Units) units were defined to internationally unify previous unit systems. From a worldwide point
of view, some countries have already switched to SI units entirely. Japan also switched from the previous unit systems, including standards
Zm : Number of meshed teeth of pinion
Number of θ₁ such as JIS, and standardized the SI units in 1994.
Zm = Z₁ × Z₁ : Number of teeth of pinion
meshed teeth 360 　This section summarizes how to convert previous unit systems into SI when needed for belt design. See below.
(synchronous belt) θ₁ : Angle (°)of contact of pinion

Quantity unit Symbol of previous unit Basic SI unit Converted value

θ₁ : Angle (°)of contact of pinion
Angle of contact 57.3(Dp - dp)
Θ₁₁ = 180 - Dp : Large pulley pitch diameter (mm)
of pinion C Mass kg kg Same as before
dp : Pinion pitch diameter (mm)

Force / Weight kgf N (Newton) 1kgf=9.80665N 1000kgf=9.81kN

Kb : Width correction factor Km: Mesh correction factor
Width correction Pd
Kb= Pb : Design power (kW)
factor Pr • km Moment of force kgf•m N•m 1 kgf•m = 9.80665 N•m
(synchronous belt) Pr : Basic power rating (kW)

Te : Effective tension (N)

Power ps,W W 1ps=0.7355 kW
1000Pt
Effective tension Te= v : Belt speed (m/s)
v Pt : Transmission power (kW) Acceleration G m/s² 1G=9.80665 m/s2

TD : Design tension (N) Te: Effective tension (N) Length m m Same as before
Design tension TD = Te(Ko + Ki × N) Ko : Load correction factor N: Number of idlers
(synchronous belt) Ki : Idler correction factor Angle (°
) rad 1°= (π / 180) rad

Tt : Tight side tension (N) m: Belt unit mass (kg/m) Area m2 m2 Same as before
1000 • Pd
Tight side tension Tt = + mv² v : Belt speed (m/s)
v Pd : Design power (kW) Speed m/s m/s Same as before
(synchronous belt)

1000 • Pd Tt : Tight side tension (N) Pd: Design power (kW) Revolution rpm S-¹ 1 rpm = 1.667 × 10-²S-¹
Tight side tension Tt = 1.25 × + Nmv² v : Belt speed (m/s) N: Number of belts
Kθ • v
(V-belt) Kθ : Contact angle correction factor m: Belt unit mass (kg/m) Pressure kgf/cm2 Pa (Pascal) 1 kgf/cm2 = 9.80665 × 10-⁵ GPa

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 Precautions for Safe Use of Synchronous Belts and Frictional Power Transmission Belts
 Before using our products, please read the catalog, design data, and other necessary documents care-
Installation and Operation
fully, pay close attention to the following items, and handle the products properly. The degree of impact
of each item on safety is classified as follows. Install safety covers for all rotating sections, including belts and pulleys. Hair, gloves, or clothing may be
Danger entangled with a belt or pulley. When a belt or a pulley broke, a projecting piece may cause injury.
Symbols and terms Description When you maintain, inspect, or replace belts, follow the items below.
　(1) B
 e sure to turn off the switch and wait until the belts and pulleys completely stop before
When the product is mishandled, it is expected to cause an imminent danger of death
Danger or serious injury to the user. Danger
performing the work.
　(2) W
 hen removal of a belt may cause the machinery to start operating, fasten the machinery before
performing the work.
When the product is mishandled, it is expected that it may cause death or serious injury 　(3) T
 ake measures to prevent the switch from being turned on unintentionally during the work.
Warning to the user.
When replacing a belt or a pulley, use an equivalent part type to the one that had been used. A different
Caution part type leads to early breakage.
When the product is mishandled, it is expected to cause a danger that causes injury to
Caution the user or an occurrence of property damage only.
Caution A misaligned pulley causes early breakage of the belt or falling off of a flange. Perform adjustment.

Application/Purpose of Use Caution Do not cut a tense belt with a knife or scissors. The belt may whip and cause injury.

When a cut belt is expected to cause the device to run idle, run on its own, or stop and lead to a
Danger personal accident or serious accident, be sure to separately provide a safety device.
Danger Do not use a belt as a hoisting tool or a towing tool.
When static electricity generated by a belt power transmission device is expected to cause a fire
Warning or a malfunction of control equipment, use an anti-static belt and provide a static elimination
mechanism on the device side.
Caution When multiple belts are used, be sure to replace all belts on the same occasion. It causes early breakage.
Caution Check if the belt sits on the pulley groove properly before using them.
The belts and pulleys may be at very high temperature immediately after they stop rotating. Do not
Caution
touch them until they cool down.
When you install a belt, never ply it in with unreasonable force. Forcing a belt to climb over a flange

Caution
Do not use a belt as an insulator. The insulation characteristics vary depending on the belt type;
please contact us.
Caution or the peripheral section of a V-groove or plying the belt in using a screwdriver or the like causes early
breakage. When you install a belt, use a motor slide, tension pulley, a dedicated tugging machine, etc.
When a belt comes into direct contact with food stuffs, use a belt that conforms to the Food
Caution Sanitation Law. Caution
Use an installation tension and elongation percentage of the belt that are appropriate tensions based
on the catalog, design data, etc. An inappropriate tension causes early belt breakage or shaft breakage.

Caution Do not additionally process belts. It may affect the quality or performance of the belt. When you additionally machine a pulley before use:
　(1) Remove burrs and sharp edges of machined sections.
Caution 　(2) Ensure the dimensional accuracy after machining.

Functions and Performance 　(3) Ensure the pulley strength after machining.

When you install a flange on a pulley, check for no foreign substances in the joint between the

Caution
Do not use belts for other applications or outside the allowable ranges described in the catalog, Caution pulley body and the flange and secure them by crimping etc. so that the flange has no looseness.
design data, etc. of the respective belt. It may cause early breakage. Inappropriate securing causes the flange to come off.

Adhesion of water, oil, chemicals, paints, or dust particles on a belt or pulley causes a reduced
Caution transmission force or early breakage. Caution When you replaced a flat belt, be sure to perform trial operation and adjust the running.

Synchronous belts may emit large noise in high-speed operation. In that case, install a sound-
Caution proofing cover.
Endless Machining
Storage and Transport Warning Never use flame in the work site. It may cause a fire.

A heavy belt should be stored using an appropriate fixture or stopper to prevent it from collapsing
Warning When you use a solvent or an adhesive, perform sufficient ventilation. It may harm health.

Caution or rolling. Warning

Perform installation and endless machining with the materials, method, and procedure specified
by us.
When you transport or handle a heavy belt or pulley, use a transporting apparatus or device
Caution suitable for the weight. Lifting up with hands may hurt your lower back etc. Warning Follow the instruction manual when you use a solvent or an adhesive.

Do not bend belts with unreasonable force or place a heavy object on belts when transporting or
Caution storing them. The belts may remain bent or become damaged, leading to early breakage.
Handling of Used products
Store belts in a low-humidity location at temperatures of -10°
C to 40°
C. In addition, do not expose
Caution stored belts to direct sunlight.
Danger Do not burn belts. They generate toxic gases.

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