Mechanical Engineers, Learn Conveyor Belts

Test it out

Tap the diagram for more information and click on the buttons to change a component and see what happens!

Increase Power
Change Incline
Increase Load Weight
Change Direction

Example calculations

In order to work with Conveyor Belts, mechanical engineers need to understand and work with a variety of calculations. Here are just a few:

Effective Tension of the Belt (

T_E

T_E = (T_1 - T_2)

Ration of Tensions:

\frac{T_1}{T_2}=e^{\mu\theta}

\theta = angle\ of\ wrap\ in\ radians

Degree = Radians \times (\frac{180}{\pi})

Radians = Degrees \times (\frac{\pi}{180})

Power at the Head Pulley (

P_{HEAD PULLEY}

P_{HEAD PULLEY} = P_{FRICTION} + P_{GRAVITY}

P_{HEAD PULLEY} = (T_1 - T_2)v

Power to Overcome Friction (

P_{FRICTION}

P_{FRICTION} = F_{\mu} \times v

Tight Side Tension	$T_1$
Slack Side Tension	$T_2$
Pull on Bearings	$F$
Friction between Belt and Idler Rollers	$F_\mu$
Angle of Incline	$\beta$
Velocity of Belt	$v$
Power to Overcome Gravity	$P_{GRAVITY}$

Conveyor belts are extremely useful for factories and facilities that work with moving a large quantity of items, heavy goods, sharp items or mass-produced products.

Like an open belt drive, a conveyor belt has two pulleys which turn in the same direction, continually moving the belt. The drive pulley drives the belt, moving items from one end to the other in a constant loop. As conveyor belts are supported by rollers or idlers at regular intervals, they can also be used over longer distances.

Factors to take into consideration when working with conveyor belts are friction angle, the velocity of the belt, belt tension and the load of the items to be carried.