Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 2006

Mechanical Design and CAD Laboratory

BELT EXPERIMENT
OBJECTIVES
The Objectives of the experiments are to investigate the relationship between belt
tensions, angle of wrap and coefficient of friction for Flat & V belts. Then, to determine
the effect of the angle of wrap to the power that can be transmitted for belt drive
mechanism. The experiments also will determine the effect of the belt tensions to the
power that can be transmitted for belt drive mechanism. Lastly, the objective of this
experiment is to compare the power transmission capability of flat and V belt.

THEORY
Belt drive machinery makes up significant portions of mechanical system. Belt drive is
used in the transmission of power over comparatively long distances. In many cases, the
use of belt drive simplifies the design of a machine and substantially reduces the cost.
Belt drive employs friction for the transmission of power. The coefficient of friction for
belt drive depends on the type of material used for the belt and the pulley. Table 1 gives
the average coefficient of friction values for various belt and pulley material
combination.

Table 1: Coefficient of friction for belt and pulley materials

Belt Material
Oak-tanned
Mineral-tanned
leather
Canvas stitched
Cotton woven
Rubber- friction
Rubber- covered
Rubber on fabric

Iron-steel
0.25
0.40
0.20
0.22
0.30
0.32
0.35

Wood
0.30
0.45
0.23
0.25
0.32
0.35
0.38

Pulley Material
Paper
Wet Iron
Greasy Iron
0.35
0.20
0.15
0.50
0.35
0.25
0.25
0.28
0.35
0.38
0.40

0.15
0.15
0.18
0.15
0.20

0.12
0.12
-

Oily Iron
0.12
0.20
0.10
0.10
-

Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 2006

Mechanical Design and CAD Laboratory

The power (in Watt) transmitted by a belt is

P = (T1 T2 )V
where;
V is the velocity of the belt in meter per second
T1 is the initial tension on the tight side in Newton
T2 is the initial tension on the slack side in Newton
The equation that relates the coefficient of friction, the tensions, the angle of wrap
and the angle of groove is;

T1
= e (
T2

sin )

where;
T1 is the initial tension on the tight side.
T2 is the initial tension on the slack side
is the coefficient of friction
is the total angle of groove in degrees ( = 900 for flat belt, = 200 for Vee belt)
is the angle of wrap in radians measured from the point of tangency of T1 and
T2

Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 2006

Mechanical Design and CAD Laboratory

Figure 1:Belt Experiment Setup

Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 2006

Mechanical Design and CAD Laboratory

APPARATUS
Belt Equipment

Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 2006

Mechanical Design and CAD Laboratory

PROCEDURES
1) Ensure that the two springs balances record zero before they are in use.
2) Set up the equipment as shown in Figure 1. (Use the flat belt).
3) Hook the loose side (T2) end to the 300 peg.
4) Put two 1.25kg weighs on to the weight holder. While holding the weigh hanger
with hand, tighten the belt tension on the tight side (T1) by tightening the
tightening nut until the tension is sufficient to hold the weighs then let your hand
off the weigh hanger.
5) Read and record tensions on the tight side (T1) and loose side (T2).
6) Increase the tension on the tight side (T1) by tightening the tightening nut and
repeat steps 5 and 6 until five readings are obtained.
7) Repeat steps 3 to 6 with 600, 900, 1200 and 1500 peg.
8) Repeat steps 2 to 7 with the V belt.

RESULTS
1) Plot a graph of T1 versus T2 for all the peg angles (300, 600, 900, 1200, and 1500)
for both the Flat and V belts.
2) Taking the velocity equals unity; calculate the power that can be transmitted for
different peg angles for both of the belts.

DISCUSSION
1) Does the experimental T1 and T2 relationship agrees with theoretical equation?
2) What is the effect of the angle of wrap to the power that can be transmitted for a
belt mechanism?
3) What is the effect of the belt tension (T1 and T2) to the power that can be
transmitted for a belt mechanism?
4) Compare the power transmission capability of flat and V belt.
5) Name two other types of belt commonly used for belt drive.
6) Name some applications of belt drive mechanism.

Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 2006

Mechanical Design and CAD Laboratory

RESULT SHEET
Belt Equipment

For the Flat belt

= 300
T1

T2

Experimental
T1
T2

Theoretical
T1
T2

Power,
P = (T1 T2 )V

T2

Experimental
T1
T2

Theoretical
T1
T2

Power,
P = (T1 T2 )V

T2

Experimental
T1
T2

Theoretical
T1
T2

Power,
P = (T1 T2 )V

= 600
T1

= 900
T1

Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 2006

Mechanical Design and CAD Laboratory

= 1200
T1

T2

Experimental
T1
T2

Theoretical
T1
T2

Power,
P = (T1 T2 )V

T2

Experimental
T1
T2

Theoretical
T1
T2

Power,
P = (T1 T2 )V

= 1500
T1

Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 2006

Mechanical Design and CAD Laboratory

For the V-Belt

= 300
T1

T2

Experimental
T1
T2

Theoretical
T1
T2

Power,
P = (T1 T2 )V

T2

Experimental
T1
T2

Theoretical
T1
T2

Power,
P = (T1 T2 )V

T2

Experimental
T1
T2

Theoretical
T1
T2

Power,
P = (T1 T2 )V

T2

Experimental
T1
T2

Theoretical
T1
T2

Power,
P = (T1 T2 )V

= 600
T1

= 900
T1

= 1200
T1

Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 2006

Mechanical Design and CAD Laboratory

= 1500
T1

T2

Experimental
T1
T2

Theoretical
T1
T2

Power,
P = (T1 T2 )V