Pulley Size Calculations For Rpms

calstar

calstar

Active User
H-M Supporter Gold Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2013
Messages
408
Not electrical but motors drive pulleys and this shows the size pulleys needed to get a desired rpm.
Don't get confused by the formulas(like me), watch the short vid a few times and its really simple.

If this is the wrong forum pleased relocate

Brian


 
calstar said:
Not electrical but motors drive pulleys and this shows the size pulleys needed to get a desired rpm.
Don't get confused by the formulas(like me), watch the short vid a few times and its really simple.

If this is the wrong forum pleased relocate

Brian


Click to expand...
No mention of effective pitch diameter, which is the tricky part with V-belts.
 
John Hasler said:
No mention of effective pitch diameter, which is the tricky part with V-belts.
Click to expand...

You mean the depth/width of the pulley's v? Unless you need a very specific rpm(+-20) doesn't seem like that would make a whole lot of difference in the hobby machine shop(but what do I know;)). I did a quick google search, just found screw pitch diameter info.

heres a link to pulley size and speed calculator:
http://www.blocklayer.com/pulley-belteng.aspx


Brian
 
Last edited:
Guys unless I'm completely missing something here, it's not rocket science if as said above you are ok with a +/- of some amount. Take the stated motor rpm (or measured) and simply apply the appropriate ratio to the diameter of the motor pulley to get the speed you want. To make this easier:

Motor rpm = 2000 rpm
Motor drive pulley dia. = 2" (just for sake of argument)
2000 rpm, use a 2" driven pulley (1/1)
1000 rpm, use a 4" driven pulley (1/2)
4000 rpm use a 1" driven pulley (or increase your drive to 4" and your driven to 2", but it's still a 2/1)

Not that hard?
 
Bill,
That's the way I do the math when I have a 3450 RPM motor and need to reduce it to 1725. 2/1
Very simple and doesn't take rocket science to figure it out.
 
calstar said:
You mean the depth/width of the pulley's v? Unless you need a very specific rpm(+-20) doesn't seem like that would make a whole lot of difference in the hobby machine shop(but what do I know;)). I did a quick google search, just found screw pitch diameter info.

heres a link to pulley size and speed calculator:
http://www.blocklayer.com/pulley-belteng.aspx


Brian
Click to expand...
The effective diameter of a v belt pulley is not the top of the groove but the point where the pitch line of the belt contacts it. The pitch line of the belt is the line on the side that does not change length when you flex it. It is somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 the thickness of the belt down from the top depending on who you ask. It varies a bit depending on operating conditions. Thus the effective diameter of an A belt pulley can be as much as 5/16" less than the outer diameter if the belt rides flush. This can make a significant difference with small pulleys: a 2" o.d. and an 8" o.d. pulley might give a 4.6:1 speed ratio rather than 4:1.

If you are designing with new, standard belts and new, standard pulleys the manufacturer's tables can get you as close as makes sense with v belts (they slip anyway). If you are using recycled stuff...

Then there is calculating belt length, especially for systems with multiple pulleys and idlers.

https://www.google.com/search?sclient=psy-ab&btnG=Search&q=v+belt+pitch+diameter

Note that it's now "datum diameter" rather than "pitch diameter".
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top