FRA
With a simple design, pulleys are powerful devices that can change the direction of a force. To lift large objects, a set of pulleys is used. These are also used to transfer power from one rotating shaft to another. The advantage of using pulleys is that by applying a small force, heavy objects can be lifted. In other words, pulleys multiply the force to lift heavy weights that cannot be lifted with bare hands.
Why are industrial pulleys important to the modern world?
Industrial pulley systems allow the movement of a belt surface. Cable grooves are provided on the inside of industrial belts. These grooves allow the belt to pull and lift heavy objects. These systems will be of paramount importance for many years to come!
- They are a return on investment. When you apply a pulley system to your business, it can dramatically speed up your operations and when your operations are more efficient, there is more production... which in turn will increase your profitability.
- They make the world go round. These pulleys and systems can be found on farms, factories and construction sites around the world. It allows us to see our economies thrive with newly built homes and sites, and to have access to the groceries and products we use in our daily lives.
- We have to say thank you to the manufacturers and suppliers of drums and pulleys. Without them and those who work on the farms and in these factories, we would be living a life without the same kind of access to products and goods.
Why are industrial pulleys important to the modern world?
Industrial pulley systems allow the movement of a belt surface. Cable grooves are provided inside industrial belts. These grooves allow the belt to pull and lift heavy objects. These systems will be of paramount importance for many years to come!
- They are a return on investment. When you apply a pulley system to your business, it can dramatically speed up your operations and when your operations are more efficient, there is more production... which in turn will increase your profitability.
- They make the world go round. These pulleys and systems are found on farms, factories and construction sites around the world. It allows us to see our economies thrive with newly built homes and sites, and access to the groceries and products we use in our daily lives.
- We have to say thank you to the drum and pulley manufacturers and suppliers. Without them and those who work on the farms and in these factories, we would be living a life without the same type of access to products and goods.
How to choose a pulley?
Which pulley for which belt?
There are three types of belt pulley transmission systems there are three types of belt pulley systems: flat belt, V-belt, and synchronous belt, which are fundamentally different.
Flat belt pulleys
In the case of large pulleys, flat and wide belts can provide high power at high speeds (up to 373 kW at 51 m/s) .The efficiency of this belt is 98%. Once the drive system is aligned, flat belts can be self-centered by crowned pulleys.
In V-belts, grooved pulleys are used to guarantee the belt guidance.
V-belt pulleys
V-belt pulleys are used with a v-belt to transmit mechanical rotational power to a shaft. The V-shaped grooves in a V-belt pulley prevent slippage and misalignment and provide maximum friction and torque in a drive system. They are found in many rotating mechanical power applications such as fans, pumps, air compressors and conveyors
Pulleys for synchronous belts (toothed)
Synchronous transmission is possible thanks to a pulley on which the belt is placed. Its notches allow it to maintain its alignment with the pulley, without the risk of slackening or slipping.
Synchronous belt drives combine the advantages of simple belt drives (flat, V-belt or ribbed) due to their low weight, low maintenance, wide linear speed ranges and high transmission ratios with the advantages of chains: no slipping, synchronized speed transmission, low installation tension, etc.
Before selecting a pulley
Once you have selected the pulley system you need for your operation, you need to focus on the numbers. Each pulley system has its own rules and cautions to follow to ensure you select a properly sized pulley for the belt you are using. Pulleys are sized according to the working load of the belt. For example, if you are working with 100 kg, you should select a belt with a working load at least 10 times the weight you need to lift, or 1,000 kg. It is a balance between the belt material, the load, the maximum load on the belt, the pulley material and its diameter.
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Several elements must be taken into account when selecting a pulley:
- The profile of the pulley groove: it must correspond to that of the belt (e.g. trapezoidal).
- The number of grooves: it is possible to use pulleys with 1 or more grooves depending on the transmission needs.
- The pitch diameter: this is the diameter of the pulley at the pitch width of the groove (diameter of the middle of the belt on the pulley), not to be confused with the outside diameter.
Examples of pulleys in everyday life
- Elevators and escalators work by relying on a powerful system of electric pulleys.
- In old-fashioned wells, when a bucket is lifted from the well using a simple pulley system, this is one of the oldest examples.
- Exercise equipment, such as an elliptical or rowing machine, may have one attached to each side for stability and convenience. Cables tend to be stronger than chains, allowing them to comfortably support heavier weights.
Note: Whenin a mechanical pulley/belt connection, the speed is unchanged when both pulleys have the same pitch diameter. Therefore, in order to change speed, the pulleys must have different pitch diameters.