Calculate Power Needed for Conveyor Belt System

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the horsepower required for a two-pulley conveyor belt system. Key specifications include a conveyor length of 0.6096 meters, pulley diameter of 0.0635 meters, and a total mass of 0.4536 kilograms. The velocity of the conveyed objects is 0.2032 meters per second, with coefficients of static and sliding friction at 0.61 and 0.47, respectively. The user seeks relevant equations and a structured approach to determine the necessary horsepower for their DC motor.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mechanical physics principles
  • Familiarity with horsepower calculations
  • Knowledge of friction coefficients and their applications
  • Basic skills in solving equations related to motion and force
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the formula for calculating horsepower: HP = (Torque x RPM) / 5252
  • Learn how to calculate torque for a pulley system
  • Study the impact of friction on conveyor belt performance
  • Explore the dynamics of DC motors and their specifications
USEFUL FOR

Mechanical engineers, physics students, hobbyists building conveyor systems, and anyone involved in motor selection for mechanical applications.

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Homework Statement


It's been a while since I've had mechanical physics so I'm simply seeking which formulas will be needed for me to calculate what I need, then I will attempt a solution and post my responses.

My problem is this: I'm trying to figure out what horsepower motor I need to drive a two-pulley conveyor belt model system I am building. The specs of the conveyor are as follows:

Total length of conveyor = 2 feet = 0.6096 meters
Diameter of both pulleys = 2.5 inches = 0.0635 meters
Total Mass of objects being conveyed = 0.4536 kilograms
Velocity of objects being conveyed = 2 feet per 3 seconds = 0.2032 meters per second
Coefficient of static friction of belt surface = 0.61
Coefficient of sliding friction of belt surface = 0.47

I realize that I don't present an attempt at solution. I would very much appreciate some help selecting the Relevant Equations needed to arrive at the needed horsepower for my DC motor. A simple outline of the steps needed to calculate this would be appreciated as well, such as which things to calculate first then calculate next.

Thank you very much in advance for any assistance.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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I know nobody responds without an attempted solution so for that I apologize. I have worked all night on this with my physics book trying to remember how to do these types of problems. I have come up with a solution that is attached. This is to the best of my current ability and I would appreciate someone to look it over and give suggestions for improvement.

The point of the problem is trying to calculate an accurate value for horsepower for a motor for a conveyor belt I'm building. All the values are given in the attachment, they have changed slightly from the values in the above post.

Thanks very much for any help!
 

Attachments

The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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