How to Choose Appropriate Power Transmission Belt for Your Application

There are a few different types of power transmission belts currently on the market today. Determining which one is right for your application or motorcycle scooter will depend on a multitude of factors, including manufacturer design and environmental elements.

The most common types of power transmission belts include V-belts, Poly V-belts and Timing belts (Synchronous belts). Each has their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

There is a lot to cover when it comes to choosing the best power transmission belt for your application. Let’s dive right in!

What is a Power Transmission Belt?

A power transmission belt is designed with one primary function: to transfer the rotation from the driver pulley to one or more other driven pulleys. In the majority of applications, the belt is powered by friction, but may also be a positive drive.

As far as cost is concerned, the power transmission belt is considerably cheaper than gear or chain drive systems. It is more economic to manufacturer and maintenance costs less as well. In comparison to chain drive sprockets, belt drive systems undergo little wear in the long-term.

The power transmission belt can operate at a wide range of speeds. It is one of the most efficient methods of transmitting power between two or more shafts or pulleys.

Construction and Material

Power transmission belts are made out of a variety of different materials. Common materials used by transmission belt manufacturers include:

• Rubber Compound
• Tensile Cord
• Fabric
• Reinforcement Material (fiber, cotton, Kevlar, etc.)

The compound of resistant rubber with reinforced materials such as Kevlar and elastic fabric ensure that the belt will stand the test of time. The fabric materials are layered on top of the rubber, which helps to secure the belt’s strength over the long run.

Overall, a rubber compound material is used most commonly as the primary material to construct transmission belts. A heat & oil rubber compound can sustain high temperatures and offers excellent flex over a long service life. Neoprene rubber has become a reliable material for belt manufacturing because it is flexible, resistant, smooth, and seamless.

Advantages of Power Transmission Belts

There are a few main advantages of power transmission belts – especially in comparison with other transmission systems.

• Efficient and economical way to transmit power
• Costs less to install and maintain
• Flexibility in the belt’s ability to handle a wide range of speeds
• Quiet and clean operation
• Less maintenance and replacement than other transmission systems
• Protection against transmission overload and obstruction
• Requires no lubrication in comparison to other transmission systems
• Capable of absorbing shock loads, pulsations, and large amounts of vibration

What are the Most Common Types of Power Transmission Belts?

There are four common types of power transmission belts your belting supplier should provide. These include poly V-belts, timing belts, V-belts, and flat belts. Let’s take a deeper look at each type of belt.

Why Choose Poly V-belts?

Poly V-belts are made of a ribbed construction, which increases the contact surface between the belt and pulley system. They are designed in such a way that the ridged part of the belt will actually adhere to the pulley.

The one piece structure of a poly V-belt ensures that there is an even distribution of tension across the dimensions of the pulley system.

Advantages of Poly V-belts:

• Can accommodate a wide range of power
• Lengthy service life
• Highly reliable
• Quiet and clean transmission
• Offer stable tension throughout transmission system

Common applications for poly V-belts include a wide selection of automobiles, lawn mowers, compressors, and large electrical appliances such as cars, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, etc.

Why Choose Timing Belts?

Timing belts, which are often referred to as synchronous belts, are a type of slotted belt that are used on a wide variety of applications. Timing belts are a type of positive transfer belt and have the ability to track relative movement. This is due to the slot or ‘tooth’ composition that can fit into a matched toothed pulley system.

Their composition affords timing belts to have no slippage and move at a consistent speed. They are very efficient in transferring direct motion for the purposes of sequencing or timing – hence the name.

Advantages of Timing Belts:

• Guarantee synchronization of the system
• Little to no slippage
• Sustainable choice for applications operating at low speeds
• Highly efficient
• Require the least amount of tension

Common applications for timing belts include automobiles’ camshafts, stepper motors, and secondary transmission in some motorcycles. They are also used as industrial belts in many instances, as well as in agricultural machines.

Why Choose V-belts?

V-belts are the most commonly used belts for power transmission. They are composed of a reliable and efficient design, and can be used in a wide range of applications. V-belts are typically made of a rubber and have reinforcement kevlar fibers as well.

V-belts are also a versatile belt choice and can be used in many instances where a seamless belt does not meet the requirements of the application.

Advantages of V-belts:

• No slippage because of high torque and tension
• Allows for improved torque in the transmission
• Long service life
• Excellent deformation resistance and flexibility, allowing smooth speed changes

V-belts are used in everything from factories and workshops to motorcycles and automobiles. They are also the most popular choice for scooters, snowmobiles, ATV and UTV. Drive V belts are commonly used in your motorized Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) applications because of their versatility, reliability, and durable construction.

Why Choose Flat Belts?

The flat belt uses the friction output between the belt and pulley system to transmit power. Flat belts can only be used on transmissions where the pulleys all rotate in the same direction. They are a highly efficient option, but only at low loads.

Flat belts are composed of a rectangular cross-section design and are manufactured from rubber and synthetic materials.

Advantages of Flat belts:

• Most efficient belt option
• Low noise
• Offers high flexibility
• Handle dust, dirt, and grime reasonably well
• Can be modified and reinforced for better strength

Like timing belts, flat belts are also often used as industrial belts. They are commonly utilized in applications such as folder machine, capping machine, belt conveyors, sawmills, and other industrial machines.

Conclusion on Power Transmission Belts

Finding the appropriate power transmission belt for your application will be predicated on your application design and requirements. Compared with other transmission systems (gears, chains, etc.) Timing belts, Poly V-belts, and Flat belts all have their advantages, but overall, the most commonly used power transmission belt is the Drive V-belt. It’s versatility and durable design allow it to be used on a wide range of applications for a long service life.