Motion transmission – belt, chain and gear drives

Design & TechnologyMechanical EngineeringAges 13–14

Two wheels are coupled by a belt, chain or meshing teeth: the driver wheel turns at a set speed, and the driven wheel follows at a speed found from the transmission ratio i = n₁/n₂ = Z₂/Z₁. Students change the number of teeth (or diameter) of the two wheels, change the driver's speed, choose an open or crossed belt, click Run to watch the wheels turn at the correct ratio and direction, or drag on the driver wheel to turn it by hand bit by bit. The simulation shows the formula, the transmission ratio, the driven wheel's speed, and whether the drive is speeding up or slowing down.