The Basic Material
The polyamide used in the flat belt used is a highly developed drive element, suitable for applications in all areas of mechanical engineering.

Belt Design
The ELGITEX Flat Belt has a traction layer made of oriented polyamide with two covers of elastomer leather or textiles material and one intermediate layer of fabric on each side. The traction layer absorbs the forces exerted on the belt when power is transmitted. The friction cover ensures that the peripheral force acting on the belt pulleys is transmitted to the belt and vice-versa.

Chemical and Electrical Properties
ELGITEX flatbelts are resistant to oil, fats and most chemicals used in all industries. By the ways of special construction ELGITEX belts are antistatic and comply with the stringent safety requirements for operation in explosive environments.

Fundamental differences between the V-belt drives and Flat Belt drives
The differences between the V-Belt drives and the Flat Belt drives are shown schematically in the illustration below.
  • Frictional engagement between the lateral wedge surfaces of the belt profile
  
  • Frictional engagement on the outer pulley diameter
  • Large bending cross-section, large mass
  
  • Small bending cross-section, small mass
  • Different effective diameters and thus varying speeds of individual belts
  
  • Precisely defined effective diameters across the belt width and therefore exact speed


The Advantages of Flat Belt Drives Compared to V-Belt Drives.

Efficiency and Energy Saving
The small bending cross-section of the flat belt causes little bending loss. This fact, together with even running and the absence of pulley wedge effects, leads to higher flat belt efficiency. The maximum efficiency attained by the flat belt is 98%.

The gain in efficiency also leads to corresponding savings in energy compared to 'V' belt a fact that has been proven during practical trials.
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Service Life
In flat belt drives, the belt is frictionally engaged on the outer pulley diameter, not on the lateral wedge surfaces as in the case of the 'V' belt drive as a result the wear on the belts and pulleys are less in flatbelts. Also, if several 'V' belts run on one drive, they wear unevenly due to production allowances.
ELGITEX flatbelts have a high abrasive properties when compared to 'V' belts, and suits application where rubber wear of belt drives is to be reduced.

A complete study of the abrasive properties in fan drive is given below.

  Operating Hours 2200hrs
  Number of startups (star-delts type starts) '220
  Pulley diameters 160/250mm
  Wear of V belts (4belts) 12.13grams
  Wear of Elgitex flatbelts 1.12grams

Shaft Load
Shaft loads caused by tensioning a flat belt to approx. 1.5-2.5 times the peripheral force and thus comparable to the shaft forces of a correctly tensioned v-belt in accordance with specification.

Installing / Tensioning
V-Belts are often tensioned haphazardly i.e., until the individual belts no longer wobble, flatbelts can be installed very simply and securely. Belts are tensioned to the calculated initial tension by means of simple measuring marks to be applied to the belt.

Slippage
Since the contact area is more when compared to 'V' Belts, the slippage is less than 1%. On practical conditions it is noticed that slip is less than 0.5% of the theoretical speed.
The maximum recommended belt speed is 80m/sec.
The minimum recommended belt speed is 7m/sec.


Cost Effectiveness for flatbelts
In assessing which drive is more economical in the long term, the following aspects have to be taken into account.

  • Initial outlay
  • Maintenance costs
  • Service life
  • Energy saving
....

Even though the Payback Period works out to be a little higher than 1 year, it should be noticed on a long term basis. Considering a minimum of 2% saving on a 37 kw motor, which works out to be Rs.25,000 per year. This is a saving every year, which you are paying extra if the drive is a V Belt.