What is typically the primary advantage of using belt drives over gear drives?

The primary advantage of using belt drives over gear drives is indeed less noise production. Belt drives operate on the principle of flexible belts transferring motion between pulleys, which creates less vibration and tends to be quieter during operation compared to gear drives. In gear drives, the direct meshing of gears can generate more noise due to the mechanical contact, especially under high torque conditions.

While belt drives can be designed for high efficiency, they often have some losses due to slippage, especially at higher speeds. Gear drives, on the other hand, typically provide a more direct and efficient transfer of power, but they do produce more noise.

Regarding design and cost, while belt drives can be less expensive to manufacture and can be made more compact in certain applications, the key distinguishing characteristic here is the reduction in noise levels, making belt drives more favorable in situations where noise is a concern, such as in residential or office environments.