Belt drive design and calculations

Any referenced datasets can be downloaded from "Module downloads" in the module overview.

Belt generator - Exercise

Adding a belt and key

Belts – like other Design Accelerators, there is more than one type of belt can be added to the machine that can be created using the V-belts, synchronous belts, and roller chain tools. These components can only be purchased in specific sizes and increments (links).

  1. Open the Belt Driven Reducer – Belt Drive.iam file from the Workspace folder.



  2. Switch to the Design tab and start the Synchronous Belts generator tool from the Power Transmission panel. It may be under the V-Belts tool.



  3. Set the belt type to H.
  4. Pick the face of the existing Pulley to set the Belt Mid Plane. Set the mid plane back .49 from the front face.



  5. Set the first (top) Pulley to be Fixed position by selected geometry and select the shaft of the motor.
  6. Double-click the description and set the number of Teeth to 24. Click OK to close the Pulley Properties dialog.



  7. Set the second Pulley type to Existing and click on a tooth face of the Pulley that was already in the design.



  8. Pick on Click to add pulley…, choose a pulley type, and then change the new pulley to Virtual.
  9. Click and drag the new third pulley to be the second position in the dialog.
  10. Change the Pulley type to Virtual and move it into an approximate position.
  11. Selecting the curved arrow can change the third pulley from inside to outside.



  12. Change the Pulley type to Virtual and move it into an approximate position.
  13. Set the Pulley Placement Guide option to Rotation driven sliding position.
  14. Pick the center of the arm the modeled idler will rotate on.
  15. Set the Pulley Diameter and the Arm Radius to 2 inches.



  16. Run a calculation using 1hp and 1,750 rpm.
  17. The calculation should display an error over a pulley size.
  18. Update the Idler pulley size to 2.5 inches.



  19. Expand the dialog and change the Create Belt As value to Detailed.
  20. Click OK to create the new pulley data and OK again to generate the top pulley and belt.

Keys can be created as standalone objects, while adding a groove to a shaft, and/or a hub.

  1. Switch to the Design tab, hold the Ctrl key and start the Key generator tool from the Power Transmission panel.

    Note: Holding the Ctrl key will start the tool with the default shaft configuration.



  2. Set the Key type to Rectangular or Square Parallel Keys with the .1875 x .1875 - .375 size.
  3. In the Shaft Groove, select the middle option and set Reference 1 to the motor shaft surface and Reference 2 as the end of the motor shaft.



  4. Select the front face of the pulley for Reference 1 of the Hub Groove.
  5. Choose the rounded edge of a Pulley tooth for Reference 2.



  6. Drag the length of the Key to 1. Experiment with the angle of the key and the position.
  7. Click OK to generate the Key and Grooves.

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