What is the main purpose of a drive pulley in a belt system?

The primary function of a drive pulley in a belt system is to transmit power from the power source (such as a motor) to the driven components (like a fan or conveyor). When the motor rotates the drive pulley, it moves the belt, which in turn transfers that motion and energy to the driven pulley. This transfer of power is essential for the effective operation of the machinery or equipment the belt system is designed to drive.

While holding tension and guiding the belt are important aspects of a belt system, they are secondary functions compared to the core purpose of power transmission. Similarly, increasing speed can be a byproduct of the pulley design or configuration, such as using different diameters of pulleys. However, the fundamental role of a drive pulley is to facilitate the transfer of power throughout the system efficiently.