Chapter 19: Flexible Machine Elements

Scientists study the world as it is;

engineers create the world that
has never been.
Theodore von Karmen

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Flat Belt

D1

1
01

D2
02

cd

Figure 19.1 Dimensions, angles of contact, and center distance

of open flat belt.
Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Weighted Idler

Idler
Pivot
Weight
Tight
side

Figure 19.2 Weighted idler used to maintain desired belt

tension.
Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Synchronous Belt
Tooth included
angle

Circular
pitch

Backing

A Neoprene-encased
tension member

Section AA

Facing
A

Neoprene
tooth cord

Pulley face radius

Pulley pitch radius

Figure 19.3 Synchronous, or timing, belt.

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

V-Belt in Groove
wt
dN/2

sin
ht

dN

2
36

Figure 19.4 V-belt in sheave groove.

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Driven unit
Agitators
Liquid
Semisolid
Compressor
Centrifugal
Reciprocating
Conveyors and elevators
Package and oven
Belt
Fans and blowers
Centrifugal, calculating
Exhausters
Food machinery
Slicers
Grinders and mixers
Generators
Farm lighting and exciters
Heating and Ventilating
Fans and oil burners
Stokers
Laundry machinery
Dryers and ironers
Washers
Machine tools
Home workshop and woodworking
Pumps
Centrifugal
Reciprocating
Refrigeration
Centrifugal
Reciprocating
Worm gear speed reducers, input side

Overload factor
1.2
1.4
1.2
1.4

Overload Service
Factors

1.2
1.4
1.2
1.4
1.2
1.4
1.2
1.2
1.4
1.2
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.4
1.2
1.4
1.0

Table 19.1 Overload

service factors f1 for
various types of driven
unit.

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Pulley Design Considerations

Belt
type
2L
3L
4L

Size of
belt, in.
1
18
4
3
8
1
2

7
32
5
16

Minimum pitch diameter, in.

Recommended
Absolute
1.0
1.0
1.5

1.5

2.5

1.8

Table 19.3 Recommended

pulley dimensions in
inches for three electric
motor sizes.

Motor
horsepower, hp
0.50
0.75
1.00

Table 19.2 Recommended

minimum pitch diameters of
pulley for three belt sizes.

Motor speed, rpm

575
695
870
1160
1750
Recommended pulley diameter, in.
2.50 2.50
2.50

3.00 2.50
2.50
2.50

3.00 3.00
2.50
2.50
2.25

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Loss in arc of
contact, deg.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90

Correction
factor
1.00
0.99
0.98
0.96
0.95
0.93
0.92
0.89
0.89
0.87
0.86
0.84
0.83
0.81
0.79
0.76
0.74
0.71
0.69

Arc Correction Factor

Table 19.4 Arc correction factor

for various angle of loss in arc of
contact.

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Power Ratings for V-Belts

Speed of
faster shaft
rpm
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000

Pulley effective outside diameter, in.

1.00 2.00
3.00
4.00 5.00 6.00
Rated horsepower, hp
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.08
0.10
0.12
0.05
0.08
0.12
0.16
0.19
0.21
0.06
0.12
0.17
0.22
0.25
0.30
0.08
0.15
0.23
0.28
0.32
0.39
0.10
0.18
0.27
0.34
0.39
0.44
0.12
0.14
0.16
0.18
0.20

0.21
0.24
0.28
0.31
0.35

0.31
0.35
0.38
0.42

0.40
0.44
0.46

0.31
0.44

0.47

(a)

Table 19.5 Power ratings for light-duty V-belts. (a) 2L

section with wt = 1/4 in and ht=1/8 in.
Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Power Ratings for V-Belts (cont.)

Speed of
faster shaft
rpm
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000

Pulley effective outside diameter, in.

1.50 1.75
2.00
2.25 2.50
2.7
3.00
Rated horsepower, hp
0.04
0.07
0.09
0.12
0.14
0.17
0.19
0.07
0.12
0.16
0.21
0.25
0.30
0.34
0.09
0.15
0.22
0.29
0.35
0.41
0.47
0.10
0.19
0.27
0.35
0.43
0.51
0.59
0.11
0.21
0.31
0.41
0.51
0.60 0.69
0.11
0.11
0.11
0.10
0.09

0.23
0.25
0.26
0.25
0.26

0.35
0.38
0.40
0.42
0.42

0.45
0.50
0.54
0.56
0.57

0.57
0.62
0.66
0.68
0.69

0.68
0.74
0.78
0.80
0.80

0.78
0.84
0.88
0.90
0.89

(b)

Table 19.5 Power ratings for light-duty V-belts. (b) 3L

section with wt = 3/8 in and ht=1/4 in.
Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Power Ratings for V-Belts (cont.)

Speed of
faster shaft
rpm
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000

0.08
0.11
0.12
0.11
0.09

Pulley effective outside diameter, in.

2.25
2.50 2.75 3.00 3.25 3.50 3.75
Rated horsepower, hp
0.14
0.19
0.24
0.29
0.34
0.39
0.44
0.21
0.31
0.41
0.50
0.60
0.69
0.78
0.26
0.40
0.54
0.67
0.81
0.94
1.07
0.30
0.47
0.65
0.82
0.99
1.15
1.31
0.31
0.53
0.73
0.94
1.13
1.32
1.51

0.49
0.87
1.20
1.47
1.69

0.06
0.02

0.31
0.30
0.27
0.22
0.15

1.84
1.92
1.92
1.84
1.65

2.00

0.56
0.57
0.56
0.54
0.47

0.79
0.83
0.83
0.81
0.75

1.02
1.07
1.09
1.07
1.01

1.24
1.31
1.33
1.30
1.23

1.45
1.53
1.55
1.51
1.41

1.65
1.73
1.75
1.69
1.66

4.00

(c)

Table 19.5 Power ratings for light-duty V-belts. (c) 4L

section with wt = 1/2 in and ht=9/32 in.
Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Center Distance for V-Belts

Pulley combination
Driver
Driven
pitch
pitch
diameter,
diameter,
in.
in.
2.0
2.0
3.0
3.0
2.0
2.5
2.0
3.0
3.0
4.5

Nominal center distance

Short center
Medium center
Center
Center
Belt
distance,
Belt
distance,
number
in.
number
in.
3L200
6.4
3L250
9.4
3L250
7.4
3L310
10.4
3L210
6.6
3L270
9.6
3L220
6.7
3L280
9.7
3L290
8.2
3L350
11.2

2.0
2.0
2.25
2.5
3.0

3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
6.0

3L240
3L250
3L270
3L290
3L330

7.3
7.2
7.7
8.1
8.9

3L300
3L310
3L330
3L350
3L390

10.3
10.3
10.7
11.1
11.9

2.0
2.0
3.0
2.0
2.0

5.0
6.0
9.0
7.0
9.0

3L250
3L310
3L410
3L340
3L390

8.0
8.6
10.3
9.2
9.9

3L340
3L370
3L470
3L400
3L450

11.0
11.6
13.4
12.2
13.0

2.0
1.5

10.0
9.0

3L420
3L390

10.4
10.1

3L480
3L450

13.6
13.3

(a)

Table 19.6 Center distances for various pitch diameters

of driver and driven pulleys. (a) 3L type of V-Belt.
Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Center Distance for V-Belts (cont.)

Pulley combination
Driver
Driven
pitch
pitch
diameter,
diameter,
in.
in.
2.5
2.5
3.0
3.0
3.0
4.5
4.0
6.0
3.0
6.0
3.5
7.0
3.0
7.5
4.0
10.0
3.0
9.0
3.5
10.5
4.0
12.0
3.0
10.5
4.0
14.0
3.0
12.0
3.5
14.0
2.0
9.0
4.0
18.0
2.4
12.0
2.5
18.0
2.8
14.0
2.0
11.0
2.0
12.0
2.5
15.0
3.0
13.0
2.0
14.0

Minimum center
Center
Belt
distance,
number
in.
4L170
4.0
4L200
4.8
4L240
5.5
4L300
6.5
4L280
6.2
4L320
7.0
4L320
6.8
4L410
8.5
4L360
7.5
4L420
8.8
4L470
9.6
4L410
8.6
4L530
10.5
4L450
9.1
4L520
10.4
4L350
7.5
4L650
12.8
4L440
8.9
4L480
9.3
4L510
10.3
4L400
8.0
4L430
8.5
4L530
10.3
4L630
12.2
4L490
9.5

Nominal center distance

Short center
Medium center
Center
Center
Belt
distance,
Belt
distance,
number
in.
number
in.
4L150
8.0
4L330
12.0
4L280
8.8
4L360
12.8
4L320
9.6
4L400
13.6
4L380
10.6
4L460
14.5
4L360
10.3
4L440
14.3
4L400
11.1
4L480
15.1
4L400
11.0
4L480
15.0
4L490
12.5
4L570
16.7
4L440
11.7
4L520
15.8
4L500
13.0
4L580
17.1
4L550
13.8
4L630
18.0
4L490
12.9
4L570
17.0
4L610
15.0
4L690
19.1
4L530
13.4
4L610
17.6
4L600
14.8
4L680
19.0
4L430
11.8
4L510
15.9
4L730
17.3
4L810
21.6
4L520
13.3
4L600
17.5
4L560
14.3
4L640
18.5
4L590
14.7
4L670
19.0
4L480
12.5
4L560
16.7
4L510
13.0
4L590
17.3
4L610
14.9
4L690
19.2
4L710
16.8
4L790
21.2
4L570
14.1
4L650
18.4

(b)

Table 19.6 Center distances for various pitch diameters

of driver and driven pulleys. (b) 4L type of V-Belt.
Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Wire Rope

Figure 19.5 Cross-section of wire rope.

(a)

(b)

Figure 19.6 Two lays of wire rope. (a) Lang; (b) regular.
Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Wire Rope Data

Rope
6 7 Haulage

Weight
per height,
lb/ft
1.50d2

Minimum
sheave
diameter
in.
42d

Rope
diameter,
d, in.
1
1 12
4

Size of
outer
wires
d/9
d/9
d/9
d/13 d/16
d/13 d/16
d/13 d/16
d/22
d/22
d/15 d/19
d/15 d/19

Modulus
of
elasticity,a
psi
14 106
14 106
14 106
12 106
12 106
12 106
11 106
11 106
10 106
10 106

Strength,b
psi
100 103
88 103
76 103
106 103
93 103
80 103
100 103
88 103
92 103
80 103
124 103

Material
Monior steel
Plow steel
Mild plow steel
1
3
2
6 19 Standard
1.60d
26d 34d
24
Monior steel
4
hoisting
Plow steel
Mild plow steel
1
6 37 Special
1.55d2
18d
3 12
Monior steel
4
flexible
Plow steel
1
1
2
8 19 Extra
1.45d
21d 26d
12
Monior steel
4
flexible
Plow steel
1
3
2
7 7 Aircraft
1.70d

8
Corrosion-resistant
16
steel
Carbon steel

124 103
1
3
2
7 9 Aircraft
1.75d

18
Corrosion-resistant

135 103
8
steel
Carbon steel

143 103
1
5
2
19-Wire aircraft
2.15d

16
Corrosion-resistant

165 103
32
steel
Carbon steel

165 103
a The modulus of elasticity is only approximate; it is affected by the loads on the rope and, in general, increases with the life
of the rope.
b The strength is based on the nominal area of the rope. The figures given are only approximate and are based on 1-in. rope
sizes and 1/4-in. aircraft cable sizes.

Table 19.7 Wire rope data.

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Application
Safety factor,a ns
Track cables
3.2
Guys
3.5
Mine shafts, ft
Up tp 500
8.0
1000-2000
7.0
2000-3000
6.0
Over 3000
5.0
Hoisting
5.0
Haulage
6.0
Cranes and derricks
6.0
Electric hoists
7.0
Hand elevators
5.0
Private elevators
7.5
Hand dumbwaiters
4.5
Grain elevators
7.5
Passenger elevators, ft/min
50
7.60
300
9.20
800
11.25
1200
11.80
1500
11.90
Freight elevators, ft/min
50
6.65
300
8.20
800
10.00
1200
10.50
1500
10.55
Powered dumbwaiters, ft/min
50
4.8
300
6.6
800
8.0
a Use of these factors does not preclude a fatigue failure

Minimum Safety Factors

Table 19.8 Minimum safety

factors for a variety of wire
rope applications.

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Effect of D/d Ratio

Relative service life, percent

100

Strength loss, percent

50
40
30
20

80
60
40
20

10

0
0

10

20

30

D/d ratio

Figure 19.7 Percent strength loss

in wire rope for different D/d
ratios.

40

10

20

30

40

50

D/d ratio

Figure 19.8 Service life for

different D/d ratios.

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

60

Allowable Bearing Pressures

Rope
Regular lay
67
6 19
6 37
8 19
Lang lay
67
6 19
6 37

Material
Cast
Cast
Chilled
Manganese
Wooda
iron b
steelc
cast irond
steele
Allowable bearing pressure, pall , psi
150
250
300
350

300
480
585
680

550
900
1075
1260

650
1100
1325
1550

1470
2400
3000
3500

165
275
330

350
550
660

600
1000
1180

715
1210
1450

1650
2750
3300

Table 19.9 Maximum allowable bearing pressures for

various sleeve materials and types of rope.
Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Rolling Chains
pt /2

Link
plate

Roller link

Pin
link

Roller

Pin

pt
A

Pitch
circle

Bushing
Pitch

Pitch

Figure 19.9 Various parts of

rolling chain.

Figure 19.10 Chordal rise in

rolling chains.

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

rc

Strength of Rolling Chains

Chain
number
a 25
a 35
a 41
40
50
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
240

Pitch,
pt , in.
1/4
3/8
1/2
1/2
5/8
3/4
1
1 14
1 12
1 34
2
2 14
2 12
3

Roller
Diameter,
Width,
in.
in.
0.130
1/8
0.200
3/16
0.306
1/4
5/16
5/16
2/5
3/8
15/32
1/2
5/8
5/8
3/4
3/4
7/8
1
1
1
1
18
1 14
1 13
1 13
32
32
9
1 16
1 12
1 78
1 78

Pin
diameter,
d, in.
0.0905
0.141
0.141
0.156
0.200
0.234
0.312
0.375
0.437
0.500
0.562
0.687
0.781
0.937

Link
plate
thickness,
a, in.
0.030
0.050
0.050
0.060
0.080
0.094
0.125
0.156
0.187
0.219
0.250
0.281
0.312
0.375

Average
ultimate
strength,
Su , lb
875
2100
2000
3700
6100
8500
14,500
24,000
34,000
46,000
58,000
76,000
95,000
130,000

Weight
per foot,
lb
0.084
0.21
0.28
0.41
0.68
1.00
1.69
2.49
3.67
4.93
6.43
8.70
10.51
16.90

Table 19.10 Standard sizes and strengths of rolling chains.

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Chain Power Ratings

Table 19.11: Transmitted power of single-strand, No. 25 rolling chain.
Number of
teeth in
small sprocket
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
28
30
32
35
40
45
50
55
60

100
0.054
0.059
0.064
0.070
0.075
0.081
0.086
0.097
0.097
0.103
0.108
0.114
0.119
0.125
0.131
0.148
0.159
0.170
0.188
0.217
0.246
0.276
0.306
0.336

500
900
Type I
0.23
0.39
0.25
0.43
0.27
0.47
0.30
0.50
0.32
0.54
0.34
0.58
0.37
0.62
0.39
0.66
0.41
0.70
0.44
0.74
0.46
0.78
0.48
0.82
0.51
0.86
0.53
0.90
0.56
0.94
0.63
1.07
0.68
1.15
0.73
1.23
0.80
1.36
0.92
1.57
1.05
1.78
1.18
1.99
1.30
2.21
1.43
2.43
Type II

1200

1800

2500

3000

3500

0.50
0.55
0.60
0.65
0.70
0.75
0.81
0.86
0.91
0.96
1.01
1.06
1.12
1.17
1.22
1.38
1.49
1.60
2.76
2.03
2.31
2.58
2.96
3.15

0.73
0.80
0.87
0.94
1.01
1.09
1.16
1.23
1.31
1.38
1.46
1.53
1.61
1.69
1.76
1.99
2.14
2.30
2.53
2.93
3.32
3.72
4.12
4.53
III

0.98
1.07
1.17
1.27
1.36
1.46
1.56
1.66
1.76
1.86
1.96
2.06
2.16
2.26
2.37
2.67
2.88
3.09
3.40
3.93
4.46
5.00
5.54
6.09

1.15
1.26
1.38
1.49
1.61
1.72
1.84
1.95
2.07
2.19
2.31
2.43
2.55
2.67
2.79
3.15
3.39
3.64
4.31
4.63
5.26
5.89
6.53
7.18

1.32
1.45
1.58
1.71
1.85
1.98
2.11
2.25
2.38
2.52
2.65
2.79
2.93
3.07
3.20
3.62
3.90
4.18
4.62
5.32
6.04
6.77
7.51
8.25

Small sprocket speed, rpm

4000
4500
5000
5500
6000
6500
Type II lubrication
1.42
1.19
1.01
0.88
0.77
0.68
1.62
1.36
1.16
1.00
0.88
0.78
1.78
1.53
1.30
1.13
0.99
0.88
1.93
1.71
1.46
1.26
1.11
0.94
2.06
1.89
1.62
1.40
1.23
1.09
2.23
2.08
1.78
1.54
1.35
1.20
2.38
2.28
1.95
1.69
1.48
1.31
2.53
2.49
2.12
1.84
1.52
1.43
2.69
2.70
2.30
2.00
1.75
1.55
2.84
2.91
2.49
2.16
1.89
1.68
2.99
3.13
2.68
2.32
2.04
1.80
3.15
3.36
2.87
2.49
2.18
1.93
3.30
3.59
3.07
2.66
2.33
2.07
3.46
3.83
3.27
2.83
2.48
2.20
3.61
4.07
3.48
3.01
2.64
2.34
4.28
4.54
4.12
3.57
3.13
2.78
4.40
4.89
4.57
3.96
3.47
3.08
4.71
5.24
5.03
4.36
3.83
3.39
5.19
5.78
5.76
4.99
4.38
3.88
6.00
6.67
7.04
6.10
5.35
4.75
6.81
7.58
8.33
7.28
6.39
5.66
7.64
8.49
9.33
8.52
7.48
6.63
8.46
9.41
10.3
9.83
8.63
7.65
9.30
10.3
11.3
11.2
9.83
8.72
Type IV lubrication

7000

7500

8000

8500

9000

10000

0.61
0.70
0.79
0.88
0.96
1.07
1.18
1.28
1.39
1.50
1.61
1.73
1.85
1.97
2.10
2.49
2.76
3.04
3.48
4.25
5.07
5.93
6.85
7.80

0.55
0.63
0.71
0.79
0.88
0.97
1.06
1.16
1.25
1.35
1.46
1.56
1.67
1.78
1.89
2.24
2.49
2.74
3.13
3.83
4.57
5.35
6.17
7.03

0.50
0.57
0.64
0.72
0.80
0.88
0.96
1.05
1.14
1.23
1.32
1.42
1.51
1.61
1.72
2.04
2.26
2.49
2.85
3.48
4.15
4.96
5.60
6.38

0.46
0.52
0.59
0.66
0.73
0.80
0.88
0.96
1.04
1.12
1.21
1.29
1.38
1.47
1.52
1.86
2.06
2.27
2.60
3.17
3.79
4.44
5.12
5.83

0.42
0.48
1.54
0.60
0.67
0.74
0.81
0.88
0.96
1.03
1.11
1.19
1.27
1.35
1.44
1.71
1.89
2.06
2.38
2.91
3.48
4.07
4.76
5.35

0.36
0.41
0.46
0.51
0.57
0.63
0.69
0.75
0.81
0.88
0.95
1.01
1.06
1.16
1.23
1.46
1.62
1.78
2.04
2.49
2.97
3.48
4.01
4.57

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Rolling Chain Data

Table 19.12 Service factors for rolling chains.

Type of driven load

Smooth
Moderate shock
Heavy shock

Type of input power

Internal combustion
Electric motor Internal combustion
engine with
or
engine with
hydraulic drive
turbine
mechanical drive
1.0
1.0
1.2
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.4
1.5
1.7

Table 19.13: Multiple-strand factors for rolling chains.

Number of strands
2
3
4

Multiple-strand factor, a2
1.7
2.5
3.3

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements

Dragline

Hoist rope
Gantry line system

Mast (20 ft)

Multi-part line

Drag rope

5 ft

15 ft

Figure 19.11 Typical dragline.

Hamrock Fundamentals of Machine Elements