Power Transfer

How to transfer rotational power from shaft to shaft

Overview

On this page we will go over the pros and cons of a few types of transfer,

• Gears

• Chains

• Timing Belts

• Round Belts

Look at Idlers,

and talk about Gear Ratios.

A Warning for handlers

It goes without saying. Don't put your fingers in when these things move.

Failure to follow may result in loss of body parts, blood, and pain.

Types of transfer

Gears

Note that gears change the direction of motion

Precise transfer

Can be easily self designed for 3d printing (Fusion 360 tutorial)

Need to be meshed with precision

https://grabcad.com/library/15-tooth-18-tooth-gears-meshing

Chains

Long distances

Chain length can be adjusted

Imprecise transfer; A sprocket can rotate a bit without its counterpart

Will skip under heavy loads; Frequent cause of shudder

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/651473902321724083/

Timing Belts

Long distances

Silent

Precise transfer

Come only in specific sizes

https://grabcad.com/library/timing-gear-set-1

Round Belts

Long distances

Distance does not need to be precise

Pulley angle does not need to be the same

Imprecise transfer; Will slip easily

https://www.gobilda.com/3405-series-round-belt-5mm-cord-diameter-95mm-circumference/

Idlers

Idlers are used to shift chains and belts.They are often used to tension the system (take up slack) or guide it (get around obstacles).

They can be used both inside or outside the chain/belt.

Best when freely rotating (has a bearing) and using the appropriate sprocket/pulley.

https://www.quora.com/What-is-idler-pulley-and-how-it-is-linked-with-belt-drive

https://www.gobilda.com/3414-series-5mm-htd-pitch-set-screw-pinion-timing-belt-pulley-8mm-rex-bore-24-tooth/

Gear Ratios

Also applies to gears, sprockets, and pulleys.

Driver gear rotations : Driven gear rotations

As a rule of thumb, less speed equals more torque (power)

The opposite is also true; more speed equals less torque, which means it gets easier to jam/skip/slip.

Here are a few examples

3:1

15-tooth driver gear and 45-tooth driven gear.

It will take 3 rotations of the driver gear to equal 1 rotation of the driven gear, therefore, the gear ratio is 3:1

1:1

2:5