ME 7 – Activity 8

I.Name five (5) common belt problems in a Table, indicating each problem's causes and
recommended remedies. (See example and format below)

Sample:
Problem Cause Remedy
An object falling into Replace with a new, matched
Broken belts
or hitting the drive set of belts

Problem Cause/s Remedy/ies

 Check drive, align non-

1. uneven wear of the aligned pulleys or replace
belt section  Pulleys do not align them if necessary,
 Strong belt vibration change the belt
 Check tension,
retention belt if
necessary

 Leakage of the engine

2. contamination of the or engine  Remove leak, change
belt compartment (such as the belt
leakage of oil,
antifreeze, etc.)
3. breakage and fraying
 Belt tension
of base compound/belt
too low/high  Change belt
section
 Lifetime exceeded  Set correct tension
 Foreign bodies

4. belt running noise

 Tension too low  Re-tension
 Lifetime exceeded  Change belt

 Change belt, set the correct

tension
5. wear the tooth  Remove foreign objects,
 Tension too high/low
flank/root cracks ensure the cover is
 Action of foreign bodies
and tooth shearing positioned properly, change
 Fixed timing belt
the belt
pulley and/or tension
 Detect causes ( e.g., faulty
idler
bearing) and find remedies,
change the belt
II. Answer the following:
1. Discuss the concept of a two-pulley system.
 System consisting of two pulleys with a rope running around them to lift a load.
Using two or more pulleys reduces the amount of effort needed. For example,
When a person uses two or more pulleys in a system, then the system also
multiplies the force applied besides changing its direction. This works with one
fixed and one movable pulley in a system, it essentially doubles the weight of
the load you could lift without help from another person based on the weight
you can lift.

2. Define and Discuss the Basics of Belt Drive.

 It is defined as a transmission system that uses a flexible strip to transfer power.

The turning disk is connected by a belt drive to the electric motor. A rubber belt
drive is used to transfer power from one pulley to another. A belt drive is a
transmission system that uses a flexible strip to transfer power. Belt drive, in
machinery, is a pair of pulleys attached to usually parallel shafts and connected
by an encircling flexible belt that can serve to transmit.

3. Name Four Types of Belt.

 Round belts
 V belts
 Flat belts
 Timing/toothed belts

4. Misalignment is one of the most common causes of premature belt failure. Explain
how it affects the belt performance.

 Misalignment may be caused during assembly or develop over time, due to

thermal expansion, components shifting, or improper reassembly after
maintenance. The resulting vibration may be radial or axial (in line with the axis
of the machine) or both. Misalignment is one of the most common causes of
premature belt failure. Depending on its severity, misalignment can gradually
reduce belt performance by increasing wear and fatigue. Or, it can destroy a
belt in a matter of hours or days. While the forms of misalignment may be
fairly well understood, accurate measurements and acceptable limits must be
determined if maintenance personnel are to take corrective action.
Misalignment can either be quantified mathematically or be compared to some
general rules of thumb for quicker and easier results. Misalignment can be an
 obstacle to satisfactory synchronous and V-belt drive performance. In many
cases, it is not easily detectable in complex drive applications. Maintenance
technicians should also check related components, such as brackets and
platforms, for proper design and placement. These parts must be strong
enough to withstand the peak forces exerted by the belt drive without bending
or flexing.

III. List at least three (3) primary considerations when selecting the proper pulley for a
design project. Discuss your answers by highlighting the significance of these
considerations.
Before we select the correct pulley from the available options, there are several
specific pieces of information you will need. In general, however, there are three main
considerations when selecting the right pulley for your project:

1. Size
2. Drive vs. driven requirements
3. Special consideration (noise, chemical resistance, etc.)

These are the primary considerations when selecting the proper pulley for a design
project. The size is very necessary that needs to be considered first because if we know
the size of the pulley we will use, it minimizes the cost of replacement due to unfitted or
improper size. Next, the drive and driven requirements should also be considered which
will lead you on how it will use and the requirements must be taken into account. Lastly,
the noise, chemical resistance, and other matters on the pulley.

IV. Discuss the working principles of stepped pulleys.

The step pulley is always operated in pairs, and when the belt is changed on one
pulley, it is also changed on the corresponding pulley on the other side of the belt. Pulleys
often have a groove around their circumference that guides a chain, cable, belt, or rope.
Most step pulley assemblies are cast from liquid materials; some of the very high-end
pulleys, however, are forged from solid billet material such as aluminum or steel. The
billet step pulley is much truer when spinning than a cast version; there is a great cost
difference between the two, however, with the billet costing much more. Some designs
utilize separate and independent pulleys to make up the arrangement, although this is
not a true step pulley.