Belt drives and chain drives are both common methods for transmitting power between rotating shafts. Belt drives use flexible belts to transfer power, while chain drives use interconnected metal links. Chain drives maintain a fixed speed ratio and don't slip, while belt drives can accommodate some misalignment but are prone to slippage. Both systems have advantages and disadvantages depending on the application.

1. Belt And Chain Drive
By Momoh Rashidat

2. What is Belt Drive?
• A belt drive is a transmission system that
uses a flexible strip to transfer power.

3. What is Chain Drive?
• Chain drive is a way of transmitting
mechanical power from one place to another.
It is often used to convey power to the
wheels of a vehicle, particularly bicycles and
motorcycles.

4. The Principle Of Belt Drive.
• minimal space requirements.
• Belt-driven equipment uses readily available components.
Replacement parts can be easily obtained froPower transmission
belting has been used for more than 200 years. The first belts were
flat and ran on flat pulleys. Later, cotton or hemp rope was used
with V-groove pulleys to reduce belt tension. This led to the
development of the vulcanized rubber V-belt in 1917. The need to
eliminate speed variations led to the development of synchronous or
toothed belts about 1950 and the later development of fabric-
reinforced elastomer materials.
• Today, flat, V, and synchronous belting is still being used in power
transmission. When compared to other forms of power transmission,
belts provide a good combination of flexibility, low cost, simple
installation and maintenance, and m local distributors. This
availability reduces downtime and inventory. Sheaves and pulleys
are usually less expensive than chain drive sprockets and have little
wear over long periods of operation.

6. The Principle Of Chain Drive
• Chain drives normally transmit power from one
rotating shaft to another.
• Chain drives maintain a positive speed ratio
between driver and driven sprockets.
• The driver and driven sprockets will rotate in the
same direction on typical chain drives.
• If the chain has an even number of pitches, the
sprockets have an odd number of teeth. If the
sprockets have an even number of teeth, the chain
has an uneven number of pitches. This design
feature prevents a single link from contacting the
same tooth each time, causing wear and vibration.

8. Types And Uses Of Belt Drive
• Round belts-Round belts are generally made of rubber.
This type of belt is generally used for light loads, such
as in a sewing machine or a vacuum cleaner.
• V belts -V belts are arguably the most widely used
belts in industry. V belts have a V shaped cross-
section, which rests against the side of V pulley under
tension. The V shaped cross-section prevents belt from
slipping off.
• Timing/toothed belts- Timing belts are toothed belts
that use their teeth for power transmission, as opposed
to friction. This configuration results in no slippage,
and therefore, the driving and driven shafts remain
synchronized. It’s more expensive to manufacture due
to complexity of the belt and pulley shapes.

10. Types And Uses Of Chain Drive
• Roller Chain-A standard roller chain is made up of alternate
roller links, as shown in Roller links consist of two sidebars,
two bushings, and two rollers. Pin links have two sidebars
and two pins, which are normally riveted.
• Detachable Chain-Detachable chains are designed for low-
speed and light load power transmission drives. This chain
consists of identical links, which are easily detachable from
one another. Each link has a hook-shaped end in which the
bar of the adjacent link articulates.
• Pintle Chain-The pintle chain is used as a drive chain for
higher speeds (to about 450 FPM or 137 meters/minutes)
and heavier loads than detachable chain is capable of
transmitting. The pintle chain is made up of individual cast
links having a full round barrel end cast integral with offset
side bars.

11. Pintle Chain
Detachable Chain
Roller Chain

12. The Advantages Of Chain Drive
• Chain drives, unlike belt drives, do not slip or creep.
• There is no power loss due to slippage; therefore,
chain drives are more efficient than belt drives.
• Chain drives are more compact than belt drives. A
chain drive, for a given capacity, is narrower than a
belt, and the sprockets are smaller in diameter than
the belt sheaves.
• Chain drives are more practical for slow speed
drives.
• Chains can operate effectively at high temperatures.
• Chains are usually easier to install than belts on
power transmission drives.

14. Advantages Of Belt Drive
• Wide range of speeds available.
• Belts permit flexibility ranging from high
horsepower drives to slow speed and high
speed drives.
• Belt drives are less expensive than chain
drives for low horsepower and low ratio
applications.
• Belts require no lubrication.
• Single belt drives will accept more
misalignment than chain drives.

16. Disadvantages Of Chain Drive
• Chain drives cannot be used where the drive
must slip.
• Chain drives cannot accept much
misalignment.
• Chain drives usually require frequent
lubrication.
• Chain drives are noisy and can cause
vibration within the machine.

18. Disadvantages Of Belt Drive
• Belts cannot be used where exact timing or
speed is required because slippage does
occur (only timing belts can be used).
• Belts are easily damaged by oil, grease,
abrasives, some chemicals, and heat.
• Belts can be noisy; also loose or worn belts
can be a major cause of machinery
vibration.