The transmission is the set of mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical components that allow transferring the power from the engines to the machine’s gear.
Depending on the structure of the machine and its drive system, the industrial transmission parts will vary, a mechanism that will almost always have to be built specifically for each particular model. However, specific components may be standard in the various designs. In addition, the industrial transmission parts expert has patterns or generic references and formulas to test and correct the plan until the most suitable assembly, and the gear ratio is achieved.
On the other hand, the output speed of motors (especially electric motors) is usually too high to attack the drive wheels directly, so reduction mechanisms must almost always be used. This results in a loss of speed but a gain in power.
Mechanical reductions are almost always made with sprockets, pulleys, or gears (from more minor to larger diameter), an effect analogous to the transmission of bicycles, where a small chainring with a large rear sprocket produces excellent power but little speed, and vice versa.
Among the different types of industrial transmissions, one of the most common is power transmission, which is a system that allows driving power from one source to another, increasing, maintaining, or decreasing speed and torque.
Different mechanisms can function as power for any system that needs movement, such as conveyor belts. Each of them has geared components that are responsible for carrying the energy to the machine.
For the systems to work as expected in industrial applications, it is essential to know the types of mechanical power transmission systems so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Belt drive systems
– Gears:
Geared power transmission works by the coupling of two sprockets, one driving and the other driven. When the driving gear teeth are inserted into the driven gear, it pulls it tooth by tooth.
This is the most commonly used drive system in a wide range of gear ratios, powers, and speeds in industrial design. For example, conveyor belts it is mainly used as speed reducers.
– Chain
They are used to transmit power between two shafts with sprocket pulleys that are spaced far apart. The links of the chain fit into the teeth of the wheels so that when one of the wheels rotates, it pulls the other.
With belt drives, there is no possibility of slippage of the mechanisms, and the capacity is high due to the strength of the chains; in addition, compared to gear drives, the weight is much lower.
Power transmissions by the chain are divided into two types, depending on the type of chain: roller or articulated. The former comprises steel links connected by shafts, while the latter is composed of essential links that fit into the teeth of the wheels and provide smooth and silent operation.
– Belt
This transmission system comprises two or more wheels subjected to a rotational movement using a belt or continuous belt under tension. One of the pulleys is the driving pulley (also called a driver) which is in charge of the movement caused by the motor; in other words, it is the shaft that has the signal that is transmitted. But, on the other hand, the driven pulley is the one that is adjusted to the post that needs to be moved.
It is essential to mention that drive belts base their operation primarily on friction forces. For this reason, belts are generally made of rubber and are designed in a flat or trapezoidal shape.
Power transmissions by pulleys and belts offer significant advantages over other types, including the possibility of transmitting circular motion between two shafts located at great distances, smooth and silent operation, simple design, and more excellent safety.
However, it also has disadvantages. For example, the belt can slip when the speed is very high, the power it can transmit is limited, and it can be a massive mechanism for specific applications.
As you can see, the different power transmissions have other applications and may be more suitable for specific machines; that is why you should consider this when buying your belts.