MACHINE DESIGN EXCEL SPREAD SHEETS

Copy write, © Machine Design Spreadsheet Calculations by John R Andrew, 6 July 2006
Spread Sheet Method:
1. Type in values for the input data.
2. Enter.
3. Answer: X = will be calculated.
4. Automatic calculations are bold type.

V-BELT DRIVES
V-belts are used to transmit power from
motors to machinery.

Sheaves have a V-groove. Pulleys have

a flat circumference.

A V-belt may be used in combination

with a drive sheave on a motor shaft
and a pulley on the driven shaft.

Angle B Input
Small sheave pitch circle radius, R1 = 4 in
Large sheave pitch circle radius, R2 = 6 in
Center distance, C = 14 in
Calculation
Sin (B) = (R2-R1) / C
Sin (B) = 0.1429
B = 0.1433 radn.
B = 8.21 degrees
V-Belt Drive Input
Drive power, HP = 30 hp
Motor speed, N = 1800 rpm
Drive sheave pitch diameter, D1 = 10 in
Driven sheave pitch diameter, D2 = 36 in
Center distance, C = 40 in
Sheave groove angle, A = 40 deg
Sheave to V-belt coefficient of friction, f1 = 0.2 -
Pulley to V-belt coefficient of friction, f2 = 0.2 -
B1 = 0.75 in
B2 = 1.5 in
D = 1 in
V-belt weight per cubic inch, w = 0.04 lbm/in^3
Tight side V-belt allowable tension, T1 = 200 lbf
Calculation
V-belt C.G. distance, x = D*(B1+ 2*B2)/ 3(B1+B2)
= 0.556 in
Driven sheave pitch diameter, D2 = D2 + 2*x
= 37.11 in
Angle of Wrap An
Small sheave pitch radius, R1 = 5.00 in
Large pulley pitch radius, R2 = 18.56 in
Sin (B) = (R2-R1) / C
Sin (B) = 0.3389
B = 0.3457 radn.
B = 19.81 degrees
Small sheave angle of wrap, A1 = 180 - 2*B
A1 = 140.38 degrees
Large pulley angle of wrap, A2 = 180 + 2*B
A2 = 219.62 degrees
e = 2.7183

Sheave capacity Cs = e^(f1*A1/ Sin(A/2))

= 4.77
Pulley capacity, Cp = e^(f2*A2/ Sin(90/2))
= 2.15

The smaller of Cs and Cp governs design.

Belt section area, Ab = (B1 + B2)/ (2*D)
= 1.125 in^2
V-belt weight per ft, W = Ab*w*12
= 0.54 lbm/ft
V-belt velocity, V = π*(D1/12)*(N/60)
V = 78.55 ft/sec
g = 32.2 ft^2/sec
 Slack side belt tension, T2 = (T1-W*V^2/g)/(Csp)+ (W*V^2/g)
= 148 lbf
Horsepower per belt, HPb = (T2-T1)*V / 550
= 7.4 hp
Number of belts, Nb = HP / HPb
= 4.1 belts
Input
Use 4 belts

This is the end of this work sheet.