Engineering a notched belt is usually a balancing act between versatility, tensile cord support, and stress distribution. Precisely designed and spaced notches help evenly distribute tension forces as the belt bends, thereby assisting to prevent undercord cracking and extending belt lifestyle.

Like their synchronous belt cousins, V-belts have undergone tremendous technological development since their invention by John Gates in 1917. New synthetic rubber compounds, cover materials, construction methods, tensile cord advancements, and cross-section V Belt profiles have resulted in an often confusing selection of V-belts that are highly application particular and deliver vastly different degrees of performance.
Unlike smooth belts, which rely solely on friction and will track and slide off pulleys, V-belts possess sidewalls that match corresponding sheave grooves, providing additional surface area and greater balance. As belts operate, belt tension applies a wedging pressure perpendicular with their tops, pushing their sidewalls against the sides of the sheave grooves, which multiplies frictional forces that permit the drive to transmit higher loads. How a V-belt fits into the groove of the sheave while working under pressure impacts its performance.
V-belts are manufactured from rubber or synthetic rubber stocks, so they have the versatility to bend around the sheaves in drive systems. Fabric materials of varied kinds may cover the share material to provide a layer of protection and reinforcement.
V-belts are manufactured in various industry standard cross-sections, or profiles
The classical V-belt profile dates back to industry standards created in the 1930s. Belts manufactured with this profile come in a number of sizes (A, B, C, D, Electronic) and lengths, and are widely used to replace V-belts in older, existing applications.
They are accustomed to replace belts on industrial machinery manufactured in other parts of the world.
All of the V-belt types noted above are usually available from producers in “notched” or “cogged” variations. Notches reduce bending tension, enabling the belt to wrap easier around little diameter pulleys and enabling better warmth dissipation. Excessive temperature is a significant contributor to premature belt failing.

Wrapped belts have a higher level of resistance to oils and intense temperature ranges. They can be utilized as friction clutches during set up.
Raw edge type v-belts are more efficient, generate less heat, enable smaller pulley diameters, enhance power ratings, and offer longer life.
V-belts look like relatively benign and simple devices. Just measure the best width and circumference, find another belt with the same dimensions, and slap it on the drive. There’s only one problem: that approach is approximately as wrong as you can get.