Roller Chain

Roller chains are one of the most efficient types of power transmission. They are used in a variety of applications, including agriculture, food and beverage, and power transmission. The most common roller is the standard, made of plain carbon steel. But other types of chains are available.

WLY is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers in China. Our company offers a selection of  A series, B series, heavy duty series, side bow series roller chains and more.These chains serving as power transmission components or conveyor parts come in a wide range of specifications from single strand to six strands,and provide two material options including carbon steel chains and stainless steel chains.

In line with the ANSI and BS standards for dimensions,our design engineers apply FEA technology to work out the strength arrangement and reasonable matching for each component of the roller chains,and enforce stress measurement through photoelastic test.To obtain an optimized design,they will enforce repeated verification and test.

Based on transmission chains and purposes,our roller chains can be installed with a variety of attachments including A1,A2,K1,K and D types,producing the most popular chains in material handling fielda,and suitable for diversified needs in different industrial areas.

According to different working environments,in addition,the carbon steel roller chains come in various surface coatings including zinc plated,nickel plated,chrome plated and Dacromet coatings etc.All of these surface coatings contain no hexavalent chromium.

Roller Chain Types

Roller chains are used in power transmission applications, especially in industrial conveyor systems. They are usually made of plain carbon steel, although stainless steel is often used in food processing machinery.

There are many roller chain types available in the market. The most common is the standard roller chain. It is designed with alternating pin links. This type is renowned for its durability and endurance.

Chains of this type are suitable for both light and heavy loads. For lighter load applications, smaller pitch chains are preferred. However, larger pitches are also used. In heavy-duty applications, such as lift systems, the chain is designed with thicker side plates to resist the pressure and impact of large loads.

The pitch is the distance between the centers of the rollers. This determines the chain's overall strength and durability. Double pitch chains are suited for long center distances, while single pitch chains are suitable for small diameters.

Roller Chain Drive

Different Types of Roller Chain for Sale

Roller Chain Applications

Roller chains are used in a variety of industrial applications. These include conveyors, automotive, electrical, mechanical, agricultural, and more. This type of chain is a reliable power transmission solution.

Industrial roller chains are available in a range of designs and tensile strength ratings. The tensile strength of a roller chain is one of its most important quality characteristics. It is measured by the capacity of the chain to withstand a specified load before breaking.

Roller chains are usually made from plain carbon steel, although alloy steel is also commonly used. Some are made from stainless steel or brass. Stainless steel is often used in applications where lubrication is a concern.

Roller chains are generally divided into two groups: drive and conveyor applications. Drives are less prone to damage and require fewer maintenance. However, chain drives are known for generating high operational noise. If the chain becomes contaminated with debris, it can quickly elongate and cause downtime.

You'll find roller chains most commonly used for mechanical power transmission in industrial machinery and for conveying products throughout manufacturing facilities. Common industries such as:

  • Food & Beverage
  • Material Handling and Packaging
  • Automotive
  • Primary Metals
  • Construction
  • Mining
Roller Chain Uses

 

How Do Roller Chains Work?

 

Roller chains run on rotating sprockets connected to a motor that moves the chain. In most roller chains, two types of links are used interchangeably to make them work.

  • Inner links (also called roller links): The two inner plates are held together by two sleeves or bushings located underneath the two rollers.
  • Outer links (also called pin links): Two outer plates joined together by pins that pass through the bushings of the inner links.

The environment in which your roller chain is used and the work it performs will affect which type of roller chain is used and how often you need to replace it. Roller chains are one of the most effective and efficient choices for power transmission and transportation applications.

Roller Chain Power Transmission System

Roller Chain Strength

The most commonly used measure of the strength of a roller chain is its tensile strength. Tensile strength measures how much the roller chain is able to withstand in a single-time force before breaking. As important as the strength of tensile is a roller chain's strength to fatigue. The key factors in determining the strength of a chain's tensile strength are the quality of the steel that is used in the manufacturing of the chain as well as the heat treatment of the chain's parts as well as the quality of pitch hole design of the linkplates and how the shot was made used and the amount of shot peen coverage of the linkplates. Other variables be the thickness of the linkplates and the shape (contour) of linkplates. The standard for a roller chain that operates in continuous drives is for the chain's load to be not greater than 1/6 or one-third of the chain's total strength in tensile, based on the kind of master link employed (press-fit vs slip-fit) The chain should not exceed a certain amount of tensile strength. Chains that operate with a continuous drive that exceeds these limits can and often will fail prematurely due to linkplate fatigue.

ANSI Standard Roller Chain

Choosing the Right Roller Chain

For the best performance, it's important to choose the right chain. There are many variables involved, including the type of pitch, pitch hole construction, and materials. You'll also need to know the proper way to maintain it.

A quality roller chain will provide a long life and durability, and help keep your business stable. It's also important to store your chain properly. This can include proper lubrication.

Some of the common materials used for roller chains include steel, stainless steel, and brass. If you live in a harsh environment, you might want to choose a chain with triple protection. This will allow it to withstand more moisture and dust.

When choosing the right roller chain for your business, it's important to consider its load capacity. This means how much it can withstand before breaking. However, fatigue strength is just as important. Fatigue strength is a measure of how the chain will wear after being continuously used.

Depending on the application, you can choose from several different chains. These include double, triple, and quadruple pitch. Each one has a different strength rating and is built to withstand a specific pressure.

Choosing the correct size is the first step to finding the perfect roller chain. The width and height of the chain should be taken into account.

If a roller chain is too heavy, it may break due to fatigue. Fatigue is a stress caused by repeated loading. To minimize the risk of fatigue, it is best to select chains with high quality rollers.

Another factor that contributes to chain's wear and fatigue is the design of link plates. The thickness of the link plates affects the fatigue strength.

Pitch hole fabrication is another important factor. When selecting a chain, the quality of its fabrication is a deciding factor. Other factors include the amount of steel used to build the chain and the heat treatment.

CNC Roller Chain