Belt and Rope Friction:

Different Types of Belts

Flexible members such like belts and ropes are frequently utilized to transmit power from one shaft to another. These devices are termed as non-positive drives due to the possibility of the slip, occurring between the belt and pulley.

Figure shows an arrangement to transmit power from shaft A of an electric motor to the shaft B of a flour mill. Two pulleys are keyed to the shafts & a belt is laid tightly over the pulleys to create the essential friction. While the pulley on the shaft A (called drive) rotates, it carries with it the belt by virtue of the friction among the rim of the pulley and the belt, which in turn, rotates the pulley on the shaft B (called driven pulley).

Figure