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What is the definition of alignment?

In a belt drive system, the arrangement of pulleys or the shafts on which the pulleys are mounted. Proper alignment is necessary for effective power transmission.

Learn more about alignment in the class "Belt Drive Applications 230" below.

Belt Drive Applications 230

Mechanical Systems Department

Class Information

Tooling U classes are offered at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels.
The typical class consists of 12 to 25 lessons and typically requires at least two hours of instruction time.

Class Name	Belt Drive Applications 230
Description	This class explains how belt drive systems are used to transmit power and discusses various types of belts used in industry.
Prerequisites	560110 560120
Difficulty	Intermediate
Number of Lessons	15

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Class Outline

Class Objectives

Objectives

What Is a Belt Drive?

How Belt Drives Transmit Power

Belt Tension

Determining Proper Belt Tension

Flat Belts

V-Belts

Multiple and Single V-Belts

Other Types of V-Belts

Synchronous Belts

Belt Selection

Belt Specifications

Belt Drive Maintenance

Belt Drive Safety

Summary

Describe the advantages of belt drive systems.

Explain how a belt drive is used to transmit power.

Describe the effects of improper belt tension.

Describe features of a flat belt.

Explain how to determine proper belt tension using a belt tension tester.

Describe features of a V-belt.

Distinguish between the characteristics of single and multiple V-belts.

Identify V-belt variations.

Describe features of a synchronous belt.

List factors influencing belt selection.

List specifications for various belt types.

Describe practices for maintaining belt drives.

Identify safety hazards for working with belt drives.

Class Vocabulary

Term	Definition
alignment	In a belt drive system, the arrangement of pulleys or the shafts on which the pulleys are mounted. Proper alignment is necessary for effective power transmission.
asperities	Microscopic peaks found on all surfaces. Contact between asperities on different surfaces causes friction.
backing	The material that surrounds the tensile member of a synchronous belt. The backing is generally made of neoprene.
backlash	The distance that a synchronous belt will move while meshing with a pulley that is not moving.
bearing	A friction-reducing device that allows one moving part to glide past another moving part.
belt	A band of flexible material that is looped around two or more fixed pulleys to transmit motion. Belts are made of various materials and come in different types, such as flat belts, round belts, and V-belts.
belt drive system	A mechanical system consisting of a flexible belt and at least two fixed pulleys that is used to transmit motion. Belt drive systems are low maintenance and do not require lubrication.
belt joint	A device used to join a flat belt into an endless loop. Common types of belt joints include lacing and hooks.
belt span	The distance on a belt from the center of the shaft on one pulley to the center of the shaft on the other pulley.
belt tension tester	A device used to check the tension of a belt drive system.
centimeters per minute	A metric unit used to measure the speed of a belt drive. Centimeters per minute is abbreviated as cpm.
chain drive system	A system consisting of a chain and sprockets that is used to transmit motion.
classical V-belt	A type of V-belt designed for heavy-duty applications, which can be used together with other belts to transmit power. Classical V-belts are also known as multiple V-belts.
cogged V-belt	A type of V-belt that is notched on its underside to allow the belt to flex more easily. Certain types of cogged V-belts offer quieter operation than other types of V-belts.
compression section	The part of a V-belt that supports the tension section. The compression section is generally made of rubber or rubberized fabric.
conveyor belt	A belt used in industry to transport materials over a distance.
creep	A condition that occurs in flat belt drives that causes the belt to move forward slightly on the driving pulley, which causes the driven pulley to rotate at a slower speed.
cross-section	The section width of a V-belt that is used to indicate the size of the belt. V-belt cross-sections are measured in height and width.
driven pulley	The fixed pulley in a belt drive system that receives energy from the driver pulley via the belt.
driver pulley	The fixed pulley in a belt drive system that receives energy from the power source and transfers it to the driven pulley via the belt.
efficiency	A measure of the work output of a system versus the total energy input. An efficient system is able to convert a greater amount of the supplied energy into the intended useful work.
electric motor	A machine that converts electricity into mechanical energy or motion. An electric motor is a common power source for a mechanical system.
endless belt	A belt that has been joined in a loop. Belts that are not manufactured as endless can be joined with a belt joint.
facing	A tough fabric, generally nylon, used to cover a synchronous belt and protect tooth surfaces.
feet per minute	A unit used to measure the speed of a belt drive. Feet per minute is abbreviated as fpm.
fiberglass	A lightweight, strong material composed of fine glass fibers. Fiberglass cords are often used in synchronous belts.
fixed pulley	A device consisting of a wheel rigidly fixed to a shaft that is used in a belt drive system to transmit motion.
flat belt	A belt consisting of a flat loop of material used to transmit motion between two pulleys. Flat belts can be made of various materials, such as rubber, canvas, plastic, or flexible metals.
force scale	The scale on a belt tension tester that marks the tension of the belt.
fractional horsepower	A horsepower rating less than 1 hp.
fractional horsepower V-belt	A type of V-belt that can be used for light-duty applications, such as those that transmit less than 1 hp.
friction	The resistance to relative motion between surfaces. Friction is caused by contact between surface asperities.
gear	A round or cylindrical mechanical component with teeth that is used to transmit power. Gears are designed to mesh with one another and can alter the speed, torque, or direction of mechanical energy.
hook	A type of belt joint that uses metal fasteners that are implanted in the belt.
horsepower	A unit of power used to describe machine strength. One horsepower equals 33,000 ft-lbs of work per minute, or 746 watts.
joined V-belt	A type of V-belt that includes mutiple V-belts joined together on the top to provide smoother operation. Joined V-belts can be used in classical V-belt drives.
lacing	A type of belt joint often used with leather belting in which the ends of the belt are stitched together.
lockout/tagout	A method of protecting employees from accidental machine startup through proper locking and labeling of machines that are undergoing maintenance.
lubrication	The application of a substance to reduce friction between two surfaces in relative motion. Oil and grease are commonly used for lubrication.
machine guard	A shield or cover over hazardous areas on a machine to prevent accidental contact with body parts or to prevent debris, such as chips, from exiting the machine.
misalignment	A condition in a belt drive system when pulleys or their shafts are not arranged properly. Both shaft and pulley misalignment can damage belt drives.
multiple V-belt	A type of V-belt designed for heavy-duty applications, which can be used together with other belts to transmit power. Multiple V-belts are also known as classical V-belts.
narrow V-belt	A type of V-belt that can transmit more horsepower than a classical V-belt, though it is narrower in design. Narrow V-belts are also known as wedge V-belts.
neoprene	A lightweight synthetic material, similar to rubber, that is often used as backing for synchronous belts.
nylon	A strong, elastic synthetic material often used as facing in synchronous belts.
O-ring	A small rubber ring used on a belt tension tester to mark readings of belt span and belt tension.
overtension	A condition in which a belt drive is operating under excess tension. The damaging effects of overtension include wear of belts and pulleys and permanent stretching of the belt.
personal protective equipment	Any example of various safety equipment that workers wear or use to prevent injury in the workplace. Safety glasses are common personal protective equipment (PPE).
pitch	On a synchronous belt, the distance between the centers of two belt teeth or two grooves in the belt.
premium multiple V-belt	A type of classical V-belt used with V-belt drives that operate under severe or shock loads or are subject to extreme temperatures or vibration.
serpentine belt system	A belt drive system that includes more than two fixed pulleys working in conjunction.
shock load	A sudden and intense force placed on machine components.
single V-belt	A type of V-belt that can be used for light-duty applications, such as those that transmit less than 1 hp. Single V-belts are also known as fractional horsepower V-belts.
slip	A condition that occurs in flat belt drives when the load causes the belt to slide out of proper position on the pulley.
sprocket	A wheel with metal teeth that meshes with the links of a chain. Sprockets are used in chain drive systems to transmit motion.
standard multiple V-belt	A type of classical V-belt suitable for most V-belt drives that operate under normal loads.
straight edge	A flat, rectangular hand tool that can be used to draw straight lines or determine the straightness of a line.
synchronous belt	A toothed belt, also known as a timing belt, that meshes with the grooves of a pulley in a synchronous belt drive. Synchronous belts maintain constant speed during power transmission, and they do not slip.
synchronous belt drive	A type of belt drive in which the teeth of a synchronous belt mesh with the grooves in a pulley to transmit power.
tensile member	The part of a synchronous belt that supports the load. The tensile member consists of cords and is surrounded by the backing.
tension	A pulling force that is directed away from the object and attempts to move, stretch, or elongate the object. Belt drive systems must operate under proper tension to transfer power effectively.
tension section	The part of a V-belt that supports the load. The tension section contains synthetic fibers surrounded by a rubber coating.
timing belt	A toothed belt, also known as a synchronous belt, that meshes with the grooves of a pulley in a synchronous belt drive. Timing belts maintain constant speed during power transmission, and they do not slip.
undertension	A condition in which a belt drive is operating under too little tension. The damaging effects of undertension include loss of efficiency and belt slippage.
V-belt	A belt with a flat bottom and tapered sides that transmits motion between two pulleys. Multiple V-belts are often used together in order to increase carrying power.
V-belt pulley	A pulley designed with one or more grooves, allowing a V-belt to wedge into each groove for power transmission.
V-ribbed belt	A type of V-belt that combines elements of a flat belt and a classical V-belt. The V-ribbed belt resembles a flat belt on top with V-shaped ribs on the bottom.
wedge V-belt	A type of V-belt that can transmit more horsepower than a classical V-belt, though it is narrower in design. Wedge V-belts are also known as narrow V-belts.

What is the definition of alignment?

In a belt drive system, the arrangement of pulleys or the shafts on which the pulleys are mounted. Proper alignment is necessary for effective power transmission.Learn more about alignment in the class "Belt Drive Applications 230" below.

Belt Drive Applications 230

Mechanical Systems Department

In a belt drive system, the arrangement of pulleys or the shafts on which the pulleys are mounted. Proper alignment is necessary for effective power transmission.

Learn more about alignment in the class "Belt Drive Applications 230" below.