Engineering a notched belt is usually a balancing act among flexibility, tensile cord support, and stress distribution. Precisely designed and spaced notches help to evenly distribute tension forces as the belt bends, thereby helping to prevent undercord cracking and extending belt lifestyle.
Like their synchronous belt cousins, V-belts have undergone tremendous technological development since their invention by John Gates in 1917. New synthetic rubber compounds, cover materials, construction strategies, tensile cord advancements, and cross-section profiles have resulted in an often confusing selection of V-belts that are extremely application specific and deliver vastly different degrees of performance.
Unlike smooth belts, which rely solely on friction and can track and slide off pulleys, V-belts possess sidewalls that fit into corresponding sheave grooves, offering additional surface and greater stability. As belts operate, belt tension applies a wedging power perpendicular with their tops, pushing their sidewalls against the sides of the sheave grooves, which multiplies frictional forces that allow the drive to transmit higher loads. What sort of V-belt fits into the groove of the sheave while operating under stress impacts its performance.
V-belts are made from rubber or synthetic rubber stocks, so they possess the flexibility to bend around the sheaves in drive systems. Fabric materials of varied kinds may cover the share material to supply a layer of security and reinforcement.
V-belts are manufactured in various industry regular cross-sections, or profiles
The classical V-belt profile dates back to industry standards created in the 1930s. Belts manufactured with this profile come in several sizes (A, B, C, D, E) and lengths, and so are widely used to replace V-belts in older, existing applications.
They are used to replace belts on industrial machinery manufactured in other areas of the world.
All the V-belt types noted above are typically available from producers in “notched” or “cogged” versions. Notches reduce bending stress, permitting the belt to wrap more easily around small diameter pulleys and enabling better high temperature dissipation. V Belt Excessive high temperature is a major contributor to premature belt failing.
Wrapped belts have a higher level of resistance to oils and severe temperature ranges. They can be used as friction clutches during start up.
Raw edge type v-belts are better, generate less heat, allow for smaller pulley diameters, boost power ratings, and provide longer life.
V-belts appear to be relatively benign and simple pieces of equipment. Just measure the top width and circumference, discover another belt with the same measurements, and slap it on the drive. There’s only one problem: that approach is approximately as wrong as you can get.