Mechanisms and Mechanical Vibrations Lab

Lab Report No.01 (Belt Drive)

Submitted to: Lab Instructor Muhammad Zeeshan Ahsan
Submitted by: Muhammad Rizwan
CMS ID: 341482
Section: ME-12A
School: School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME)
Due Date: 22/09/2023 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Objective:
• To determine the direction of rotation of driven pulleys for open belt and crossed belt
drives
• To verify the following relation:
N2 𝐷1
=
𝑁1 𝐷2
Where N1 and N2 show the number of turns of first and second pulley respectively.
Similarly, D1 and D2 show the diameter of first and second pulley respectively.
• To understand comprehensively the principles and mechanics associated with open belt
and crossed belt drives
• To identify and analyze the practical applications where open belt and crossed belt
drives find utility across various industries

Introduction:
1. Belt Mechanisms in Mechanical Systems:
Belts are flexible looped materials employed to establish mechanical connections
between two or more rotating shafts, typically arranged in parallel. These belts serve
several essential functions:

• Synchronization of relative movement

• Efficient power transmission
• Generation of motion
It's important to note that the shafts need not necessarily be perfectly parallel; belts can
be routed over pulleys with twists or turns in between.

2. Determinants of Power Transmission Efficiency:

The effective transfer of power in belt-driven systems is contingent upon several critical
factors, including:

• Tension Application: The magnitude of tension applied to the belt as it engages with
the pulleys is a pivotal factor. Proper tensioning ensures optimal power transmission
and minimizes slip, thereby maximizing efficiency.
• Arc of Contact: The extent of contact between the belt and the smaller pulley,
known as the "arc of contact," significantly influences power transmission. A greater
arc of contact enhances the grip and traction, enabling more efficient power transfer.
• Belt Velocity: The velocity or speed at which the belt operates is a key determinant
of power transmission capacity. Higher belt velocities can increase the rate at which
power is transmitted between pulleys.
 • Operating Conditions: The conditions under which belts are utilized, such as
environmental factors, temperature, and the presence of contaminants, can impact
their performance. Ensuring suitable operating conditions is crucial for maintaining
belt integrity and power transmission efficiency.
These factors collectively govern the efficacy of power transmission in belt-driven systems
and demand careful consideration during the design, operation, and maintenance of such
systems to optimize their performance and longevity.

3. Types:
In a two-pulley system, the belt has two options which are given below:

• Open Belt Drive: An open belt drive is characterized by the rotation of the belt in the
same direction as that of the connected shafts. Consequently, both the driving and
driven pulleys rotate in tandem, sharing the same directional movement. Typically,
these shafts are aligned in parallel. In this configuration, the side of the belt facing
upwards is referred to as the loose side, while the side facing downwards is known
as the tight side. The location of the tight side depends on the relative positioning of
the driver and driving pulleys, with the tight side often found on the side with a
greater distance between these pulleys.
• Crossed Belt Drive: A crossed belt drive is distinguished by its capacity to transmit
greater power; however, it does have limitations, particularly concerning operating
speed. At higher speeds, the potential for wear and tear arises due to friction and
rubbing between the belts. In this drive configuration, the shafts rotate in opposite
directions, necessitating a crossing of the belt at the point of contact between the
pulleys. This crossing or junction side is susceptible to wear and tear. To mitigate this,
it is advisable to increase the distance between the pulleys and operate the system
at lower speeds to minimize friction-induced wear and tear.

Open Belt Drive

Crossed Belt Drive

4. Pulleys:
Pulleys are simple machines that consist of a grooved wheel mounted on an axle. They are
commonly used in various applications to change the direction or transmit force or motion
from one point to another. Pulleys are crucial components in many mechanical systems and
have several types, each with specific functions and advantages. Here, we will discuss the
different types of pulleys:

• Fixed Pulley:
A fixed pulley is stationary and doesn't move with the load. It changes only the direction of
the force applied. Its primary advantage is in redirecting force, making it easier to lift or
lower a load. However, it does not provide a mechanical advantage in terms of reducing the
effort needed.

• Movable Pulley:
A movable pulley is attached to the load being lifted or moved. When force is applied to the
rope or cable, the pulley and load move together. Movable pulleys provide a mechanical
advantage by reducing the effort needed to lift a load. They can effectively halve the force
required compared to lifting the load directly.

• Compound Pulley:
A compound pulley system combines both fixed and movable pulleys. This configuration
provides a significant mechanical advantage. Compound pulleys are often used in heavy
lifting applications where substantial force reduction is required.
 • Block and Tackle:
A block and tackle system consists of multiple pulleys, both fixed and movable, arranged in a
specific manner. Block and tackle systems offer a significant mechanical advantage and are
commonly used in lifting heavy loads, such as in construction or sailing.

Block and Tackle Pulley

• Differential Pulley:
Differential pulleys, also known as chain hoists or chain blocks, are designed for precise
lifting and positioning of heavy loads. They use a chain and sprocket mechanism to provide a
fine level of control over the lifting process.

Differential Pulley

• Timing Pulley:
Timing pulleys have specially designed teeth or grooves that mesh with the teeth of a timing
belt. They are commonly used in machinery to ensure synchronized and precise movement,
such as in engines or printers.
 Timing Pulley

• Conveyor Pulley:
Conveyor pulleys are used in conveyor systems to support and guide conveyor belts. They
come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the specific conveyor application.

Conveyor Pulley

• Idler Pulley:
Idler pulleys are used to redirect or guide belts in various machines and systems. They don't
transmit power but help maintain proper belt tension and alignment.

Idler Pulley

Each type of pulley serves a specific purpose and is chosen based on the requirements of
the mechanical system. The choice of pulley type can significantly impact the efficiency and
functionality of the system, making it essential to select the appropriate pulley for a given
application.

Apparatus:
• Belt Drive Setup(Driven pulley, Driving pulley and a Mechanism to secure and
tension the belt properly.)
• Belts(Flat and Round)
• Motor or Prime Mover
 • Tachometer
• Safety Equipments(Safety goggles, gloves, and lab coats etc.)
• Data Recording Tools(Notebooks, pens or digital data recording etc.)
• Tools(Basic tools like wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers may be necessary for
assembly and adjustments.)
• Lab Setup(A suitable workbench or experimental setup with adequate lighting and
ventilation.)
• Instruction Manuals(For the equipment used, including safety guidelines.)

Procedure:
1. Experimental Procedure for Open Belt Mechanism Investigation:
• Setup Preparation:
Began by ensuring that the pulleys were securely mounted on the designated board and
fixed firmly on their respective axles. Then selected a flat belt suitable for the open belt
configuration. Prior to initiating the experiment, marked a clear and distinct reference line
on the selected belt. This reference line will serve as a visual aid for tracking and recording
the number of belt rotations effectively.

• Initial Measurements:
Using precise measuring instruments, carefully determined and recorded the diameters of
both the driving pulley and the driven pulley. Accurate measurement of pulley diameters is
essential for subsequent calculations and analysis.

• Belt Mounting:
Mounted the selected flat belt onto the pulleys. Ensured that the belt was properly aligned
and seated on both pulleys to establish a secure connection.

• Rotation Observation:
With the aid of manual rotation, initiated the motion of the driving pulley by applying
controlled force to it. Simultaneously, observed and counted the number of complete
rotations made by both the driving pulley and the driven pulley. Accurate observation and
recording of these rotations are critical data points for analysis.

• Data Collection:
Carefully record the number of rotations for both pulleys.

• Data Analysis:
By using the collected data, including the number of rotations and pulley diameters,
calculated relevant parameters.
 Ensured that the experimental setup was left in an organized and safe condition.
2. Experimental Procedure for Crossed Belt Mechanism Investigation:
In the crossed belt mechanism experiment, the fundamental procedure closely paralleled
that of the open belt configuration. However, a round belt was employed, and it was
mounted in a crossed manner between the pulleys. The process involved precise
measurements of pulley diameters, manual rotation of the driving pulley to record rotations
of both driving and driven pulleys, and subsequent data analysis.
Clean-Up:
Safely removed the belt from the pulleys and returned all equipments and instruments to
their designated storage locations.

Results and Discussion:

Description of Results:
For the open belt mechanism experiment, the following results were obtained:
1. Both the driving and driven pulleys exhibited rotation in the same direction, confirming
the expected behavior of an open belt drive.
2. The diameter of the second pulley (D2) was determined to be 95mm, while the first
pulley (D1) had a diameter of 31.75mm.
3. Analysis of the number of rotations ratio revealed that it was nearly equal to 3. This
𝐷2 𝑁1
finding aligns with the mathematical relation 𝐷1 = 𝑁2, where N1 and N2 represent the
number of rotations of the first and second pulleys, respectively.
The close correspondence between the experimental data and this mathematical
relationship validates the accuracy of the experiment in determining the direction and
rotational characteristics of the open belt mechanism.

Discussion of Sources of Error:

• Instrumental Error: Instrumental errors may arise from inaccuracies in measuring
instruments used to determine pulley diameters and count rotations. Calibrating and
using precise instruments can help minimize such errors.
• Environmental Factors: Environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity,
can affect the materials and performance of the belt, potentially introducing variability
in the results. Conducting experiments in a controlled environment can mitigate these
factors.
• Worker-Related Errors: Human factors, such as variations in applying force to initiate
pulley rotation or inconsistencies in observing and recording rotations, can introduce
 errors. Ensuring that experiments are conducted consistently by well-trained operators
can reduce worker-related errors.

Discussion of Errors in Both Mechanisms and Suggestion:

Both open and crossed belt mechanisms have their advantages and limitations, which can
introduce specific errors:
Open Belt Mechanism: While open belt drives offer simplicity and the ability to rotate both
pulleys in the same direction, they are limited in terms of power transmission capacity due to a
smaller wrap angle. Additionally, they are susceptible to belt whipping, which can affect stability
and efficiency.
Crossed Belt Mechanism: Crossed belt drives provide the advantage of transmitting higher
power due to their larger wrap angle. However, they are more complex and can lead to belt
wear and shorter service life due to belt rubbing against itself.

Conclusion:
The open belt mechanism experiment verified the expected rotational behavior, with both
pulleys turning in the same direction. Accurate pulley diameter measurements were obtained
(D2 = 95mm, D1 = 31.75mm), and the rotations ratio closely matched the theoretical relationship
𝐷2 𝑁1
= 𝑁2. To mitigate instrumental, environmental and worker related errors, we can calibrate,
𝐷1
keep regular maintenance of the instrument, maintain a controlled environment, and train the
operators. The choice between the two mechanisms depends on the specific application
requirements. If higher power transmission is crucial and wear can be managed, the crossed
belt mechanism may be preferred. For simpler applications with lower power requirements and
the desire for longer belt life, the open belt mechanism may be more suitable. Ultimately, the
selection should be based on a thorough evaluation of the specific needs of the system,
considering factors such as power transmission capacity, durability, and maintenance
requirements.