ND Mechanical Eng : Chain Drives

1. Chains and sprockets can be used where synchronisation of motion is

needed because they provide a positive form of drive.
2. The pitch of a chain is determined by the length of the side plates.
3. Having rollers that are free to rotate on the bushings avoids excessive wear
sliding friction.
from
4. The critical dimensions by which roller chain is identified are the pitch,
width and roller diameter.
5. To help reduce uneven wear, chain drives are designed so that the same
link does not contact the same tooth each revolution.
6. Chain drives are more sensitive to misalignment than belt drives.

Adv Dip Yr2 Maintenance: Chain Drives

7. Speed of driven (RPM) = Speed of driver (RPM) x No. of teeth on driver
No. of teeth on driven
8. Double pitch chains are suitable for light loads and low speeds.
9. Vertical chain drives should be arranged so that accumulated slack falls into
the driven sprocket to prevent misengagement.
10. Chain tensioners are used on the slack side.
11. Sprockets may be reversed on the shaft to extend their life.
12. If a chain drive is correctly fitted to an adjustable centres unit with 2% slack
of the centre distance, then if the centre distance is 1m 75cm, the slack will
be 35 mm.

Adv
Adv Dip
Dip Yr2
Yr2 Maintenance:
Maintenance: Chain
Chain Drives
Drives
13. Wear in the component parts of a chain leads to stretching for which an
idler sprocket could be used to provide compensation.
14. The higher the chain speed, the greater the supply of lubricant required.
15. Automatic lubrication using an oil bath or oil spray is suitable for a chain drive
operating at moderate to high speeds.
16. Noise that indicates interference in a chain drive, would be detected by an
Intermittent ticking
slapping
or
sound.
17. Wear to the sprocket teeth is often seen in the form of hooked teeth.
18. Inadequate lubrication at high loads and speeds will cause the bearing
surfaces of the pins and bushings to weld and then tear apart. This effect
is known as galling.