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Drive geometry & loading

mm
Pitch diameter (datum)
mm
Pitch diameter (datum)
mm
Recom.: 0.7(d1+d2) … 2(d1+d2)
rpm
kW
V-belt typical: 0.45–0.65

Results

ParameterValueUnitFormula / note

Diagram

Formulas & V-belt profiles

Geometry

i = d₂/d₁ = n₁/n₂
v = π·d₁·n₁/60 000 [m/s]
L = 2a + π(d₁+d₂)/2 + (d₂−d₁)²/(4a)
α₁ = 180° − 60°·(d₂−d₁)/a

Belt tensions (Euler)

F₁ − F₂ = P·1000/v [N]
F₁/F₂ = e^(μ'·α₁_rad)
F₀ = (F₁+F₂)/2
F_shaft ≈ 2·F₀·sin(α₁/2)

μ' = effective friction (incl. wedge effect of V-groove). Typical: 0.45–0.65 for rubber on cast iron.

Belt sag

e = √(a² − ((d₂−d₁)/2)²)
f_rec = 0.016 · e [mm]

Recommended sag (free span): ~1.5–2% of span length. Check by pressing belt at midspan. Too tight → bearing overload; too loose → slip.

V-Belt profiles (ISO 4184)

Profiled₁_minv_maxP range
SPZ63 mm50 m/s0.2–3 kW
SPA90 mm50 m/s0.7–10 kW
SPB140 mm50 m/s2–25 kW
SPC224 mm50 m/s7–90 kW

Design tips

  • Minimum wrap angle: α₁ ≥ 120° for reliable power transmission
  • Belt speed: 5–30 m/s ideal; v_max = 50 m/s for narrow V-belts
  • Centre distance: 0.7(d₁+d₂) … 2(d₁+d₂)
  • Standard belt lengths per DIN 7753 — round calculated L to nearest standard
  • Use multiple belts for high power — minimise z to reduce shaft load

Notes on μ'

The effective friction coefficient μ' accounts for the wedge action of the V-groove: μ' = μ / sin(β/2) where β ≈ 40° groove angle, μ ≈ 0.35 rubber/cast iron.

This gives μ' ≈ 0.35 / sin(20°) ≈ 1.02 — but in practice slip losses reduce effective μ' to 0.45–0.65. Use 0.51 as default.