Design And Analysis Of V-Belt Transmission On A Rotary System Rice Drying Machine

Abstract

Post-harvest paddy drying is a critical stage in maintaining grain quality, requiring continuous moisture content reduction from an initial range of 22–28% down to a safe storage level of 13–14%. This study aims to design and evaluate the structural integrity of a V-belt transmission system for a rotary paddy drying machine to ensure optimal operational rotation and long-term mechanical reliability. The transmission system was developed using analytical kinematic and dynamic calculations, followed by three-dimensional solid modeling and static structural finite element numerical simulations executed in SolidWorks. The analytical results demonstrate that a 0.75 kW electric motor operating at 1400 rpm, coupled with a 1:4.5 transmission reduction ratio, successfully steps down the output speed to a target drum rotation of 10–20 rpm while delivering a linear belt speed of 6.59 m/s and an operational torque of 5.12 N·m. Static structural simulation on the 225 mm driven pulley constructed from Aluminium Alloy 1060 reveals a maximum equivalent Von Mises stress of 8.811 MPa, utilizing only 31.96% of the material yield strength (27.57 MPa) and ensuring operation strictly within the elastic deformation regime. The maximum structural displacement at the outer rim is recorded at 2.863 mm, maintaining safe alignment without inducing belt slippage. Furthermore, the evaluation yields a minimum Factor of Safety of 26.444, which substantially exceeds standard mechanical engineering design thresholds and guarantees high resistance against startup shock loads. In conclusion, the designed V-belt transmission system meets all kinematic, dynamic, and structural requirements, demonstrating high mechanical safety and complete feasibility for physical prototype fabrication.