How to select the diameter of the driving drum?

How to Select the Diameter of the Driving Drum?

The selection of the diameter of the driving drum needs to comprehensively consider the following technical factors:

1. Conveyor Belt Tension and Torque Requirements

• The diameter should meet the requirements of torque transmission (Torque = Tension × Radius) to avoid the slipping of the conveyor belt.

• Calculation formula: $D=\frac{2T}{F}$, where $T$ is the driving torque and $F$ is the tension of the conveyor belt.

2. Number of Layers of the Conveyor Belt and Bending Stress

• An excessively small diameter will cause the conveyor belt to bend excessively, reducing its service life.

• Empirical formula: $D\ge (125\sim 150)\times \delta$ ($\delta$ is the total thickness of the conveyor belt, in mm).

3. Drum Material and Allowable Stress

• The diameter of a steel drum is usually between 200mm and 1200mm. Cast iron drums require a larger diameter to reduce stress.

• The strength needs to be verified through finite element analysis.

4. Driving Power and Wrap Angle

• A high-power system requires a larger diameter to increase the friction force (Friction force ∝ Diameter × Wrap Angle).

• Recommended range of the wrap angle: 180° to 240°, and it can reach 300° under special working conditions.

5. Industry Standards and Application Scenarios

• For general belt conveyors: The diameter is often between 500mm and 800mm (refer to GB/T 987-2017).

• For explosion-proof equipment in underground mines: A lightweight design should be selected, and the diameter is usually ≤ 630mm.