
The Difference Between a Pulley and a Sheave
- The Basics. A pulley is one of six types of simple machines. ...
- Working Together. A fixed pulley with no sheave changes the direction in which the force is applied to move the heavy load, but it does not change the amount of ...
- Multiple Sheaves Problems. ...
- Simple but Effective. ...
Is pulley and flywheel the same?
They serve different purposes. Pulley is used when you want to change the direction of force and/or to transmit power e.g. when you want to spin a fan using a motor but they have two different shafts. Flywheel is used when you want to minimize fluctuation in rotational speed, especially in the presence of discontinuous motion driver e.g. in internal combustion piston engine (sometimes there is combustion, sometimes no).
What is difference between the roller and pulley?
- Flat Belts are used in line shafting to transmit power in factories. ...
- Flat Belts have no teeth while toothed pulleys have teeth that fit into a matching toothed pulley.
- Flat Belts tend to sli
What are the types of pulley?
Types of Pulleys
- #1 Fixed Pulley. In this type of pulley system, the pulley is attached to a fixed point and the rope is attached to the object.
- #2 Movable Pulley. ...
- #3 Compound Pulley. ...
- #4 Block and Tackle Pulley. ...
- #6 “V” Groove Pulley. ...
- #7 Cone Pulley. ...
- #8 Jockey Pulley. ...
- #9 Round Pulley. ...
- #10 Fast and Loose Pulley. ...
- #11 Conveyor Pulley. ...
What is the same between pulleys and gears?
Gear and pulley drive systems are common methods of transmitting motion from a source to an end load. Almost everyone can recognize belt and pulley drive systems, even without an engineering background. They are commonly used in everyday devices, but they are also present in industrial machines. Understanding the differences between the two ...

Is sheave and pulley same?
A grooved wheel or pulley for hoisting or hauling, or for transmitting force to a cable or belt. Again, we see that the terms pulley and sheave are used interchangeably. Both are grooved and used to apply force in a more efficient way.
Why is a pulley called a sheave?
Wikipedia defines a pulley as "a wheel on an axle or shaft...", and it defines sheave as "a pulley with a grooved wheel..." Well, that suggests that all pulleys with grooved wheels are sheaves.
How do you identify a sheave?
The most common measurements used to find the right pulley or sheave are the outside diameter, inside diameter and the width. There are also a few other measurements that are helpful to know in order to find the right size pulley or sheave for your needs.
What is a sheave in a pump?
Pulleys or “sheaves” are commonly used for connecting pumps to motors or engines via drive belts. Most pulleys are cast iron or aluminum construction and are offered in either fixed-bore or tapered bushing styles.
What are the 3 types of pulleys?
Among the pulley simple machines, there are three different types of pulleys:Fixed pulleys are a very common pulley. These pulleys are secured to a single spot. ... Movable Pulleys are yet another type of pulley. ... Compound Pulley Systems are a combination of both movable and fixed pulleys.
What are the different types of sheaves?
Sheaves that are designed for single grooves or double groove are commonly available. Both types are designed for specific belt sizes and cross sections and may have fixed, tapered or splined bored. Common groove styles include O, A, B and A/B.
What is sheave pulley?
A sheave (/ʃiːv/) or pulley wheel is a grooved wheel often used for holding a belt, wire rope, or rope and incorporated into a pulley. The sheave spins on an axle or bearing inside the frame of the pulley. This allows the wire or rope to move freely, minimizing friction and wear on the cable.
How do you size a sheave?
0:372:29How to Measure a Sheave - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis one uses a caliper you take the caliper. And place it to the bottom of the groove. And the topMoreThis one uses a caliper you take the caliper. And place it to the bottom of the groove. And the top of the shiv. Until they line up this is 0.5. Then you take that measurement.
When should I replace sheave?
A sheave gauge, usually consisting of plastic wedges shaped like a new belt, can be inserted into the groove. If the gauge doesn't fit squarely into the groove and you can see daylight around the edges, your sheave is worn and must be replaced.
How do you install a sheave pulley?
0:061:16Sheave Installation and Alignment Video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a straightedge or laser alignment tool to align the SHIVs once the SHIVs are properly alignedMoreUse a straightedge or laser alignment tool to align the SHIVs once the SHIVs are properly aligned fully tighten the motor foot bolts and taper lock bushing bolts.
What is a pump pulley?
A pump pulley is any kind of pulley that uses a fluid, like water, to pump and transmit power via a pulley. These types of pulleys are often found in automobile parts and industrial machinery for heavy workloads.
What are synonyms for sheaves?
In this page you can discover 7 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for sheaves, like: sheaf, bundles, sheave, clusters, packages, bunches and collections.
What is a sheave pulley?
A sheave () is a pulley with a grooved wheel for holding a belt, wire rope, or rope. The grooved wheel spins on an axle or bearing inside the frame of the block.
What is a pulley?
Pulley (noun) A wheel with a broad rim, or grooved rim, for transmitting power from, or imparting power to, the different parts of machinery, or for changing the direction of motion, by means of a belt, cord, rope, or chain. Pulley.
What is a sheave?
Sheave (noun) A wheel having a groove in the rim for a rope to work in, and set in a block, mast, or the like; the wheel of a pulley. Sheave. To gather and bind into a sheaf or sheaves; hence, to collect.
What does "sheave" mean?
Sheave (noun) A wheel having a groove in the rim for a rope to work in, and set in a block, mast, or similar; the wheel of a pulley. Sheave (noun) A sliding scutcheon for covering a keyhole. Sheave (verb) To gather and bind into a sheaf.
What is a pulley wheel?
A pulley is a wheel on an axle or shaft that is designed to support movement and change of direction of a taut cable or belt, or transfer of power between the shaft and cable or belt.
Why are pulleys used in the army?
Hero of Alexandria identified the pulley as one of six simple machines used to lift weights. Pulleys are assembled to form a block and tackle in order to provide mechanical advantage to apply large forces.
What is a wheel with a grooved rim around which a cord passes?
a wheel with a grooved rim around which a cord passes, which acts to change the direction of a force applied to the cord and is used to raise heavy weights. a wheel or drum fixed on a shaft and turned by a belt, used for the application or transmission of power.
How does a movable pulley work?
If you use a movable pulley, the pulley’s rope is attached to a stationary structure and the wheel is free to move. With this type of system, the object is attached to the wheel instead of the rope and the wheel moves up the rope as you pull it and brings the load along. This decreases the amount of work needed to move the object.
What is a pulley wheel?
As in the days of old, what we use today is called a pulley. A pulley is essentially a wheel that has a rope, a chain, or a belt on a groove made on the wheel. Usually, sets of pulleys are used because they help spread the force needed to get the job done. So in ancient times, what did they use?
What is the difference between a pulley and a sheave?
is that pulley is one of the simple machines; a wheel with a grooved rim in which a pulled rope or chain will lift an object (more useful when two or more pulleys are used together such that a small force moving through a greater distance can exert a larger force through a smaller distance) while sheave is a wheel having a groove in the rim for a rope to work in , and set in a block, mast, or the like; the wheel of a pulley.
What is a wheel of a pulley?
A wheel having a groove in the rim for a rope to work in, and set in a block, mast, or the like; the wheel of a pulley. Etymology 2. See .
What Are Simple Machines?
Before we continue to learn about pulleys and sheaves, we have to learn about “simple machines.” What are those? We know them as “tools,” namely, common metal, wood, and plastic tools.
Origin Of The Words
Let’s see the origin of both terms to see which languages gave us those words.
How People Use Them
Like several words in the English language, pulley and sheave are often used depending on the context. Factors like industry standards and geographic location affect how we use them, sometimes giving the same definition to both even though they are different. For example:
Conclusion
A pulley system helps to lift heavy stuff. A sheave is a part of that system that makes it more efficient. It can work without it but runs better with it. Pulleys and sheaves are everywhere like all simple machines. We have to pay more attention to our environment and be amazed at our human inventions.
By Shawn Manaher
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He's one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don't even want to know what he calls pancakes.
