University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore

Exp 12: To determine the co-efficient of friction of flat leather belt with
cast iron pulley.

Name : Date :

Regd-No :

Equipment Required:
 Belt and pulley friction apparatus
 Hangers and weights

Introduction:

Belt:
A belt is a loop of flexible material used to attach two or more rotating shafts mechanically, most
often parallel. The main purpose of belt drives is to transmit power between machines such as
fan and motors. Belts are friction drives, which means that they are depend on friction between
the belts and pulley to transmit power.

The material used for high power flat belts is sticky yet abrasion resistant rubber compounds.
The higher power flat belts are often useful because they eliminate the need to grip pulleys, as a
result of which the load on the shaft bearings is reduced.

Power Transmission:
Belts are cheapest utility for power transmission between shafts that may not be axially aligned.
Power transmission is achieved by specially designed belts and pulley, they run smoothly and
with little noise and little strength is needed. Power transmission in belt and pulley is expressed
as the difference between tensions and belt velocity.

Limitations:
The shafts should be properly in line to insure uniform tension across the belt section. The
pulleys should not be too close together, in order that the arc of contact on the smaller pulley
may be as large as possible. The pulleys should not be so far apart as to cause the belt to weigh
heavily on the shafts, thus increasing the friction load on the bearings.
A long belt tends to swing from side to side, causing the belt to run out of the pulleys, which in
turn develops crooked spots in the belt. The tight side of the belt should be at the bottom, so that
whatever sag is present on the loose side will increase the arc of contact at the pulleys. In order

DYNAMICS

Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T Lahore

 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore
to obtain good results with flat belts, the maximum distance between the shafts not exceed 10
metres and the minimum should not be less than 3.5 times the diameter of the larger pulley.

Figure: Belt and Pulley Apparatus

Observations and Calculations:

µ=Co-efficient of friction
α=Angle of contact

Test no Angle (α) Tensions Logarithm of Coefficient of

ratio of tensions friction
(Pounds)
ln(T1/T2) µ={ln(T1/T2)}/α

Degree Radian T1= T1= T1= T1 T1 T1 T1 T1 T1 Mean

T2 T2 T2

Specimen Calculations:

DYNAMICS

Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T Lahore

 University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore
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Procedure:
 Arrange the apparatus in the position shown.

 Set certain values of Tension T1 and record Tension T2 with the different angular
positions of 30, 60, 90 and 120 degrees while rotating the pulley, using a spring balance.

 Then calculate the experimental value of co-efficient of friction.

 Draw the graph between logarithm of ratio of T1 and T2 and contact angle.

Comments:
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DYNAMICS

Department of Mechatronics and Control Engineering, U.E.T Lahore