Roller chains: Select the correct drive and conveyor chain

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Details: Released: 21.01.2019; Last updated: 14.04.2024; Hits: 7580

roller chains In their function as a drive chain or conveyor chain in industry, they are often referred to as machine element perceived as a means to an end, while the more complex components surrounding them receive greater attention. And so designers often use cost-effective standard solutions and don't even question them custom Development. Find out about Tsubaki, as Find the optimal chain for your specific requirements.

Contents

Choose the right roller chain or have it tailored to your needs
Which roller chain for which application?
Retrofit with roller chain – all good things come in threes!
Theory and practice of a roller chain
Frequently asked questions

Choose the right roller chain or have it tailored to your needs

Aug 21.08.2019, XNUMX | For many applications in the Drive Technology there is a large - sometimes confusingly diverse - selection of different drive chain technologies such as e.g. B. the roller chain. Here it is advisable that designers speak to a drive chain supplier about the best choice for their application. It sometimes turns out that the standard chain that is often used is not the best choice and that the total cost of ownership (TCO) can be reduced with a customer-specific solution.

Drive chains in constant development

The engineers at the drive specialist are constantly developing the portfolio of their standard chains to ensure that the the latest developments to stay. If a new production technology is developed, in which, for example, extreme temperatures, the influence of chemicals or particularly high loads occur, they also try to provide a corresponding chain or roller chain for it.

However, there are applications in which customized and therefore more complex roller chains or other drive chains are the bottom line of the most efficient solution.

Special construction team adjusts drive chain

An special construction department is dedicated to these adjustments. The engineers design customer-specific chains, attachments such as plates or special sizes.

Some products differ only slightly from the standard chain design and correspond to the DIN / ISO standards. Others, however, require a completely individual solution and exceed the usual standards. In both cases, the team works very closely with the users' designers and technicians.

Take customer-specific characteristics into account

Non-standard applications can include: B. have high speeds, high loads, extreme shock loads, continuous operation, longer usage times, etc. To the extremes Environmental conditions also include water, brackish water or salt water, steam and moisture as well as corrosive substances or atmospheres, extreme temperatures or temperature fluctuations, outdoor applications in extreme weather and also locations that are difficult to reach.

In order to meet all these requirements, the manufacturer offers individual solutions such as maintenance-free chains, chains made of stainless steel and other high-performance materials, corrosion and chemical-resistant chains, chains with unusual geometries or special lubricants.

Requirements for conveyor chains

There are often applications in conveyor chains where such an individual design should be considered. Here are the Attachments just as important as the chain itself. The drive specialist offers a wide range of standard accessories and also develops special solutions here. These could, for example, be based on bolts, tabs, special profiles, molded parts, etc. and made from a variety of metals, technical Plastics or other materials.

A customer-specific approach to conveyor chains is also often to change the Chain division. Because the existing conveyor chains according to DIN or ISO standards do not cover all the requirements of the industry. That is why Tsubaki has developed standards over the course of its 100-year existence that are taken into account in every new customer-specific project.

The company has already written many success stories: An example from the Netherlands shows how a Steel mill improved its long-term productivity after upgrading lift chains that have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

Or a motorist from France was able to almost completely eliminate conveyor downtime caused by wear friction by using a “Double Plus” accumulating conveyor chain installed. Unexpected downtimes can be avoided, maintenance costs reduced and downtime minimized if you speak to an expert before selecting the drive chain.

The drive element “chain” is basically a simple component. But if it fails, it can cause high costs due to an unplanned production stoppage. Of course, regular inspections should ensure smooth operation. But it is even better if the quality of the chains does not require any maintenance at all. Thanks to its 100 years of know-how, Tsubaki offers numerous chain innovations that significantly reduce maintenance requirements.

Which roller chain for which application?

Sep 21.09.2018, XNUMX | During the 100 years Throughout its existence, the manufacturer of drive technology products has always focused on the research and development of its products. The Japanese company not only keeps an eye on the constantly changing needs of the market, but also proactively thinks through future requirement profiles, which the developers ultimately anticipate. In order to be technologically and ecologically state-of-the-art, the drive specialist also continuously modernizes its production facilities. The ecological references developed are exemplary.

Standard premium chain

The drive specialist sees this as the most advanced BS/DIN GT4 Winner chain. The extended European premium chain from BS / DIN is now in its fourth generation. Their most important design features include the patented lubrication groove bushings. They ensure long-lasting lubrication between the bolt and bushing, making maintenance work easier.

The seamless bushings with a high-precision cylinder profile guarantee optimal power transmission in the chain joint to the pin. The bolts were countersunk riveted for easy disassembly. In addition, the patented stamping ring compression of the locking plate increases the strength of the locking link to 100% of the base chain, which ensures the transmission capacity of the base chain. The product is available in chain sizes from RF06B to RS48B in simplex, duplex and triplex versions.

Low maintenance roller chain

One of the provider's most important innovations was the development of the Low-maintenance roller chains “Lambda”. They were the first in the industry to feature oil-impregnated sintered bushings. The Lambda chain was introduced in 1988 and has now become an indispensable standard chain for many applications. Among many variants, there are also versions for high temperatures and for use in the Food Processing. They are supplied with the food-safe lubricant “NSF-H1” as standard.

The lambda chain is also running clean, which reduces the risk of contamination of products, machines, work areas, etc. In addition, the detailed design of the chain components allows for quick and easy assembly and disassembly, minimizing machine downtime. The Lambda chain is interchangeable with many other chain types, so machines can benefit from a significant increase in performance when switching.

Roller chain for the Aggressive

Tsubakidie has been developed for use in damp environments or under alkaline cleaning agents “Neptune” necklace developed. All components of this chain such as chain plates, bushings and bolts have been subjected to a special surface treatment.

There will be two Protective layers applied for resistance to acids, alkalis, aggressive chemicals, sea water, acid rain and other adverse environmental and climatic conditions. The surface treatment also protects the Neptune chain rollers from contact wear and damage when used under heavy loads or at high speeds.

The drive specialist also focuses on sustainability in everything it does. Tsubaki has therefore developed its surface treatment in such a way that no chemically hazardous substances such as hexavalent chromium, lead, cadmium or mercury are used. Because the power ratings of the Neptune chain are identical to those of the GT4 Winner chain easy conversion possible, should the revision of an existing machine require this. The Neptune chain can also be combined with Lambda technology to take advantage of the benefits of both products.

In addition to chains manufactured to BS, DIN and ANSI specifications, the drive specialist also exhibits chains Plastic and stainless steel which are suitable for applications in maritime and other corrosive working environments and for mechanical and plant engineering. Applications in which the chains are exposed to extreme sanitary conditions or aggressive, corrosive chemicals or extreme temperatures are also ideal for this roller chain.

Retrofit with roller chain – all good things come in threes!

June 26.06.2018, XNUMX | If chains from different manufacturers are used in the course of an exchange, it is advisable to use the additional parts Compatibility checked and even adjusted if necessary. The leading manufacturer of drive technology products Tsubaki always pays attention when such a chain change occurs.

For 100 years, the company has been successfully implementing a wide variety of customer requirements, resulting in countless success stories that end up Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) can be saved in magnitude. And so it is not surprising that end users often switch to a premium chain from the drive specialist even in the application described if the previous chain had performance problems.

Potato harvester reliable again after conversion from freewheel

A good reference is worth a thousand words: That's what maintenance engineers see it. Tsubaki has already convinced many of them and has demonstrated some of the benefits of his chains through retrofit projects. The following three examples give an insight:

Climate & Environment

Example 1 refers to global warming and the increasingly humid climate. Both pose a major problem for water and environmental engineers working in the Norfolk Broads and Somerset Levels. Even in lower areas such as in the Mississippi Delta, in Bangladesh or in the highlands where glaciers are melting, the climatic conditions are increasingly challenging the components used there. Engineers need to be confident that their locks and other flow controls and flood protection devices will function reliably. Many of them have switched to Tsubaki chains without lubricant in the past. Because they are very reliable even when left unattended for a long time.

Material

Example 2 concerns a material that is ideal for bonding machines: the sawdust finds its way into all corners of moving parts, it absorbs lubricants and causes blockages. When a fabric manufacturer struggled with similar problems with paper dust on a lumber saw conveyor, Tsubaki engineers recommended switching to the Lambda chain. The replacement led to immediate improvements on several fronts: The chain remained flexible and smooth, meaning continuous operation was possible for much longer. This made it possible to increase productivity. And because regular relubrication was not required, the operator was able to save significant costs while eliminating contamination also improved product quality.

Medical Technology

Example 3 der kommt aus Medical Technology: Motor-driven drive systems are used in medical devices such as CT scanners, MRI and X-ray machines. This allows components of the devices or patients to be lifted, tilted or rotated and used for transport. These movements must be precise and repeatable, while the equipment must be both quiet and extremely reliable. The drive specialist supplies many of the world's leading manufacturers of such devices with low-maintenance chains. The company also works directly with manufacturers to develop customized chains or special additional equipment.

Theory and practice of a roller chain

November 16.11.2017, XNUMX | If you try to insert a riveted link into an inner link on a roller chain, you will find that it only works if you use force. Although the nominal chain pitch is the norm ISO 606 should be the same, the theory differs from the practice. The drive specialist Tsubaki knows why there are obviously two pitch dimensions in a roller chain and what that means for the user.

The answer lies in the task that the Bolt-socket connection has to fulfill: It forms the chain joint and as such has to be movable. This is made possible via joint play. Due to the play, the axis centers of the pin and bushing are offset from one another when the chain is under load. There are therefore two individual pitch dimensions in the chain in order to ultimately achieve the nominal pitch dimension in the DIN ISO 606 standard.

The Structure of a roller chain makes this clear: It consists of inner and outer plates, rollers, bushings and bolts. Inner plates, bushings and rollers form the inner links, outer plates and bolts form the outer links. Inner and outer links alternately form the roller chain.

What's up with the chain pitch?

In DIN ISO 606 the dimensions are among the established ones ANSI (American) standard and European standard chains listed. In both standards, the size of a chain is defined by the chain pitch. For example, a roller chain manufactured according to European standards with the designation 08B has a pitch of 12,7 mm. This pitch would now be used for the inner link (bush center to bushing center 12,7 mm) and the max. permissible joint gap of 0,05 mm (min. bush inner diameter 4,50 mm, max. bolt diameter 4,45 mm), a constructive correction of the individual pitch is required for the outer link so that the tensioned chain later lies equidistant in the pitch circle of the chain wheel.

For the majority of users, this information is irrelevant. This is for the chain manufacturer Individual division measure Naturally very important and knowledge of this is relevant for the user if, for example, extended bolts are used to attach additional parts with a narrow fit. It is important to pay attention to which pair of bolts the additional parts should be attached to. It makes sense to only use the pair of bolts from one outer link and not the bolts from two outer links.

The joint surfaces inevitably wear out when the chain is in operation, so that the centers of the pins move further and further away from the centers of the bushings. Do you measure them? Division of the individual members In the case of a chain that has been in use for a long time and is showing advanced wear, the individual pitch dimensions of the inner links are usually still very close to the nominal dimension, while the individual pitch dimensions of the outer plates noticeably exceed the nominal dimension. This means that the power transmission has partially shifted to the additional parts.

Frequently asked questions

Which roller chains are there?

Roller chains vary primarily in their construction and application and can be divided into the following main types:

Simply-Roller chains (1 compartment roller chains) are standard chains for general drive tasks.
Multiple-Roller chains (duplex, triplex, etc. offer higher strength and are suitable for higher loads.
Stainless Steel-Roller chains are suitable for corrosive environments and food applications.
heavy load-Roller chains are developed for extreme loads and requirements such as those found in the mining and construction industries.

What is a bolt chain?

A bolt chain is a special form of drive chain consisting mainly of pins and bushings. Unlike traditional roller chains, which have rollers around the pins to minimize friction, the pin chain relies on direct contact between the pin and bushing. This design makes them particularly robust and suitable for applications where high tensile strength and durability are important, such as in some conveyor systems and heavy machinery.

How do you measure a roller chain?

To measure a roller chain, you must first measure the Chain division determine which is the distance between the centers of two adjacent bolts. This measurement is typically given in inches or millimeters. In addition, you should measure the width of the chain between the inner plates and the diameters of the rollers and bolts. It is important to stretch and straighten the chain to get accurate measurements.

How do you calculate chain pitch?

The chain pitch of a roller chain is calculated by taking the Distance between centers two consecutive bolts or the pivot pin measures. This distance is measured directly from center to center across the pivot pins. The unit of measurement can be in millimeters or inches, depending on the standard system of the chain.