What Is Transmission Belt ？
Transmission belt is a kind of flexible belt used to transfer mechanical power from one rotating shaft to another, commonly used in mechanical equipment, automotive systems and industrial equipment. It plays a vital role in all types of mechanical systems, effectively transferring power , regulating speed and torque between different mechanical components.
Types of Drive Belt
Classified by Transmission Mode
- Friction Drive Belt: By means of the friction between the belt and the pulley to transfer motion and power, which has features of overload slip, low running noise, but the transmission ratio is inaccurate. Friction belt is divided into flat belt, V-belt and special belt (V-ribbed belt, round belt) according to its different shape of cross-section.
- Tooth Drive Belt: By means of the mesh between the belt and the pulley to transfer power, also known as “synchronous drive belt”, which can ensure the transmission synchronization, but the absorption capacity of the load change is slightly poor and will have noise during high-speed operation. It is widely used in aluminum fin machines, and synchronous belt can accurately transmit power without sliding, which is very important for servo motors, because the servo system requires strict control of position and speed.
- Chain Drive Belt: such as chain, gear chain and etc.
| Type | Flat Belt | V Belt | V-Ribbed Belt | Round Belt | Timing Belt |
| Diagram |  |
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| Features | simple structure, easy to operate |
transfer high friction, high transmission ratio, compact structure |
transfer high power, high friction, flexible |
small transmission power |
high transmission accuracy, low axial pressure, but high installation and production requirements |
| Application | large transmission center distance |
wide application | large power transmission, compact structure |
mechanical drive of sewing machine and vacuum cleaner |
high working speed, 50m/s per second |
Classified by material
- Rubber Drive Belt
- Plastic Drive Belt: Like PU, PVC transmission belt
- Metal Drive Belt: Such as steel belt, chain and etc.
Classified by Structure
- Single Ply Drive Belt: like rubber and plastic transmission belt
- Multi Ply Drive Belt: like multi-layer braided transmission belt
- Integral Transmission Belt: Such as steel belt, chain
Classified by Application
- Transmission Belt: Used for transferring power, like synchronous belt, toothed belt
- Traction Belt: Used to pull heavy objects, such as steel wire ropes, chains
- Conveyor Belt: For material transportation
Materials of Drive Belt
- Rubber
Rubber is a common drive belt material, black appearance with soft and elastic surface.
Features: Flexible, durable and has good friction
Application: Mainly used in flat and V belt - Nylon Fabric
Nylon transmission belt usually in white or light gray color with smooth surface, which has good wear resistance and high tensile strength, ideal for high load and speed application. Features: flexible, lightweight, usually get reinforced with other materials, likely NBR or leather
Application: Nylon flat belt - PU
Polyurethane drive belt usually is in yellow or white color, smooth and elastic surface, which has high wear & oil resistance, ideal for high load and capacity drive.
Features: wear resistance and chemical resistance
Application: PU round belt, PU timing belt - Kevlar
Kevlar usually as reinforced core for v belt, it enhance drive belt tensile strength and reduce elongation.
Summarization
The above introduce drive belt types and material. Different types of transmission belts are suitable for different application occasions and requirements, and choosing the suitable transmission belt can improve the operating efficiency and life service of the equipment.
