Calculating the torque needed to rotate a drum

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SUMMARY

To calculate the torque needed to rotate a drum with a radius of 12 cm and a weight of 10 kg, it is essential to consider factors such as acceleration, mass moment of inertia, and any work being done by the drum. In scenarios where friction and acceleration are negligible, the required torque can be zero. However, if the drum is performing work, such as processing materials, additional torque calculations will be necessary. The placement of the motor and the configuration of the belt drive also play critical roles in the overall torque requirements.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of torque calculations
  • Knowledge of mass moment of inertia
  • Familiarity with friction in mechanical systems
  • Basic principles of belt drive mechanics
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  • Research torque calculation formulas for rotating bodies
  • Learn about mass moment of inertia for cylindrical objects
  • Investigate the effects of friction in motor and belt systems
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Mechanical engineers, robotics enthusiasts, and anyone involved in designing or analyzing rotating machinery will benefit from this discussion.

jonas_biermann
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Imagine this: You have a drum with a radius of 12cm, around that drum is a toothed belt which is connected to a motor. The drum weighs 10kg
The motor should be placed under the drum

How would I calculate the amount of torque needed to rotate the drum

I don't have any idea how to calculate this but it would be nice if somebody could answer :)
 
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This question is unanswerable with the information you've provided. It really matters a lot if the rotation is accelerating, and if so what the mass moment of inertia around the axis is, if the drum is doing any work (like if there is maybe stones inside it to be fractured or whatever), if there is friction, etc. etc.
 
Arjan82 said:
This question is unanswerable with the information you've provided. It really matters a lot if the rotation is accelerating, and if so what the mass moment of inertia around the axis is, if the drum is doing any work (like if there is maybe stones inside it to be fractured or whatever), if there is friction, etc. etc.
The accelaration is static. There are plants in the drum but the center of mass is in the middle of the drum. For my example friction can be neglected.
 
If there is no friction and no acceleration, and the drum does no other type of work, then the torque is zero
 
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jonas_biermann said:
around that drum is a toothed belt which is connected to a motor. The drum weighs 10kg
The motor should be placed under the drum
How can the motor be under the drum if there is a horizontal belt connecting them? Or are they both horizontal and the belt is vertical, and you are tumbling something inside the drum?
jonas_biermann said:
For my example friction can be neglected.
What about the motor bearing friction, and the losses in the belt drive?
 

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