Technical Data  Small size conveyor chain  Selection

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To sizing

Free flow chain selection

Steps 1. Check Conveyance Conditions

  • (1)Type, mass, dimensions, and quantity of the conveyed objects (including pallet )
  • (2)Conveying speed
  • (3)Conveyor length (length of accumulating and conveying sections )
  • (4)Atmosphere

Steps 2. Select Chain Type

Select the base chain and roller type according to the operating conditions and environment.

Steps 3. Tentatively Determine Chain Type

Perform tentative checking of chain load.

  • SI Unit ：F = 9.80665×WT × f × Kv/1000
  • Gravity unit ：F = WT × f × Kv

Note) In this catalog, values are indicated in both SI and gravimetric units.
The weight (kgf) used to calculate the max. load F in the gravimetric units is the same value as the mass (kg).

  • F：Max. tension applied to chain kN {kgf}
  • WT：Total mass of conveyed objects excluding chain kg
  • f：Coefficient of friction f2(Table 8) + f3(Table 9)
  • Kv：Speed coefficient (Table 13)

When two chains arranged in parallel are used, their working loads will be unequal.

Allowing for the imbalance of working loads, determine the model and size of a chain tentatively to ensure the maximum allowable load (Tables 14 and 15) of the chain is F×0.6 or more.

×
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The maximum allowable load of small size conveyor chain (excluding stainless steel chain and engineering plastic chain*) is the value derived from the lowest fatigue limit.

When a load lower than this value is repetitively applied to the chain, fatigue failure will never occur.

※Stainless steel and engineered plastic chains: Maximum allowable load is determined from specifying the surface pressure between pins and bushes based on wear performance.

Table 7 f1：Coefficient of Friction Between Chain and Rail During Conveyance

Chain type Type of Base Chain Roller No lube With lube
Double Plus Free Flow Chains Plastic roller A・B・C・D
UA・UB		 0.08 -
Steel roller - 0.05
Center Roller Chains Steel roller - 0.08
Outboard Roller Chain, Top Roller Chain Steel
roller 		S-roller (0.21) 0.14
R-roller (0.12) 0.08
Plastic roller S-roller - -
R-roller 0.08 -
Poly Steel Chain - 0.25 -

( ) is for reference.

Table 8 f2：Coefficient of Friction Between Chain and Conveyed Objects During Accumulation

Chain type Transfer Roller No lube With lube
Double Plus Free Flow Chains A・C・UA 0.10 -
B・D・UB 0.15 -
Steel roller - 0.10
Center Roller Chains Steel roller - 0.06
Outboard Roller Chains Plastic outboard roller 0.06 -
Plastic outboard rollers with brake 0.20※ -
Steel outboard roller (0.09) 0.06
Top Roller Chains Plastic top roller 0.06 -
Steel top roller (0.09) 0.06

( ) is for reference.

Coefficient of friction

Note) Coefficient of friction for each outboard roller with plastic brake. When the number of brake outboard rollers accounts for about one third of the total number of outboard rollers, the coefficient of friction is 0.1.
(Refer to "Installation of Outboard Rollers" for RF double pitch and RS chain.

Table 9 f3：Coefficient of Friction Between Chain and Rail During Accumulation

Chain type Type of Base Chain Roller No lube With lube
Double Plus Free Flow Chains A・C・UA 0.20 -
B・D・UB 0.25 -
Steel roller - 0.10
Center Roller Chains Steel roller - 0.10
Outboard Roller Chain, Top Roller Chain Steel
roller 		S-roller (0.21) 0.14
R-roller (0.12) 0.08
Plastic roller S-roller - -
R-roller 0.08 -
Poly Steel Chain - 0.25 -

( ) is for reference.

Steps 4. Check Allowable Roller Load

×
(Drag to move. )

Typical value that will not cause roller rotational failure, assuming use under lubricated conditions.

The load applied on the roller should not exceed the values given below. The values for steel rollers assume lubricated conditions.

1. Double Plus Free Flow Chains / Center Roller Chains

Double Plus Free Flow Chains / Center Roller Chains

・RF2030 to RF2080

The values given below are the allowable conveying load per two strands of chain (allowable load per one meter of pallet).

Table 10 Roller allowable load

Units ：kN{kgf}/m
Size Type of Base Chain Roller Frame
Aluminum frame Aluminum Frame
with Steel Rail
RF2030 Plastic roller A・B・C・D 0.39 {40} 0.78 {80}
UA・UB 0.20 {20} 0.20 {20}
Steel roller - 1.57 {160}
RF2040 Plastic roller 0.59 {60} 1.18 {120}
Steel roller - 2.35 {240}
RF2050 Plastic roller 0.78 {80} 1.57 {160}
Steel roller - 3.14 {320}
RF2060 Plastic roller 0.98 {100} 1.96 {200}
Steel roller - 3.92 {400}
RF2080 Plastic roller - 2.94 {300}
Steel roller - 5.88 {600}

2. Outboard Roller Chains / Top Roller Chains

Confirm the allowable loads of outboard rollers, top rollers, and base chain rollers.

1) Roller allowable load

Roller allowable load

Table 11 Roller allowable load

Unit: kN {kgf}/roller
Size Outboard Roller and Single-Strand Top Roller Double-Strand Top Roller
Plastic roller Steel roller Stainless steel roller Steel roller
RF2040・RS40 0.05 {5} 0.15 {15} 0.05 {5} 0.29 {30}
RF2050・RS50 0.07 {7} 0.20 {20} 0.06 {6} 0.39 {40}
RF2060・RS60 0.10 {10} 0.29 {30} 0.09 {9} 0.59 {60}
RF2080・RS80 0.18 {18} 0.54 {55} 0.15 {15} 1.08 {110}
RF2100・RS100 0.29 {30} 0.78 {80} 0.25 {25} 1.57 {160}

Note) The allowable load of Lambda rollers is the same as that of steel rollers.

2) Allowable Load of Base Chain Roller

Allowable Load of Base Chain Roller

Table 12 Allowable Load of Base Chain Roller

Unit: kN {kgf}/roller
Size Steel roller Plastic roller Poly Steel Chain Stainless steel roller
R-roller S-roller R-roller R-roller S-roller
RF2040・RS40 0.64 {65} 0.15 {15} 0.20 {20} 0.02 {2} 0.20 {20} 0.05 {5}
RF2050・RS50 0.98 {100} 0.20 {20} 0.29 {30} 0.04 {4} 0.29 {30} 0.06 {6}
RF2060・RS60 1.57 {160} 0.29 {30} 0.49 {50} 0.06 {6} 0.49 {50} 0.09 {9}
RF2080・RS80 2.65 {270} 0.54 {55} 0.88 {90} - 0.78 {80} 0.15 {15}
RF2100・RS100 3.92 {400} 0.78 {80} 1.27 {130} - 1.18 {120} 0.25 {25}

Note)

  • 1. The above values for Poly Steel Chain represent the allowable load for each plastic inner link.
  • 2. The allowable load of Lambda Chain is the same as that of steel roller chain.
  • 3. The material used for steel R roller guide rail should be a high tensile strength material at least S45C (JIS), 1045 (AISI) or better.
  • 4. The plastic roller includes heat-resistant type rollers (KV type).

Steps 5. Calculate Chain Load (F)

Calculate Chain Load (F)

SI Unit

F = G 1000 × {(W1 + M) × L1 × f1 + W2 × L2 × f2
+ (W2 + M) × L2 × f3 + 1.1 × M × (L1 + L2) × f1}

kW = F・V 60 × 1 η

Gravity unit

F = (W1 + M) × L1 × f1 + W2 × L2 × f2 + (W2 + M) × L2 × f3
+ 1.1 × M × (L1 + L2) × f1

kW = F・V 6120 × 1 η

  • F：Max. tension applied to chain ：kN{kgf}
  • L1：Length of conveying portion ：m
  • W1：Mass of conveyed objects in conveying portion ：kg/m
  • L2：Length of accumulating portion ：m
  • W2：Mass of conveyed objects in accumulating portion ：kg/m
  • f1：Coefficient of friction between chain and rail during conveyance
  • f2：Coefficient of friction between chain and conveyed objects during accumulation
  • f3：Coefficient of friction between chain and rail during accumulation
  • M：Mass of chain ：kg/m
  • kW：Power required ：kW
  • V：Chain speed ：m/min
  • η：Transmission efficiency of drive unit
  • G：Gravitational acceleration ：9.80665m/s2

Since the free flow conveyor uses two strands of chain generally laid in parallel, the chain mass is assumed to be that of two strands of chain. Consequently, "F" in the above formula represents the maximum chain load applied to two strands of chain.

Allowing for the imbalance of the working loads, it is assumed that a load of 0.6 F is applied to a single strand.

Steps 6. Determine Chain Size

Multiply the maximum load (0.6 F) applied to a single strand of chain by the speed coefficient (Kv) given in Table 13 for a chain that satisfies the following formula:

0.6F × Kv ≦ Max. Allowable Chain Load

×
(Drag to move. )

The maximum allowable load of small size conveyor chain (excluding stainless steel chain and engineering plastic chain*) is the value derived from the lowest fatigue limit.

When a load lower than this value is repetitively applied to the chain, fatigue failure will never occur.

※Stainless steel and engineered plastic chains: Maximum allowable load is determined from specifying the surface pressure between pins and bushes based on wear performance.

Table 13 Speed coefficient (Kv)

Chain speed m/min Speed coefficient (Kv)
15 or less 1.0
15～30 1.2
30～50 1.4
50～70 1.6
70～90 2.2
90～110 2.8
110～120 3.2

The recommended speed of the following chains is as follows :

  • Double Plus Chain : 5 to 15 m/min or less
  • Plastic R roller chain : 70 m/min or less
  • Poly Steel Chain : 70 m/min or less

Table 14 Maximum allowable load of the chain (1)

Units ：kN{kgf}
Size & Roller type Base Chain Type Roller types
A・C・UA B・D・UB
RF2030VRP Standard Series 0.55 {56} 0.27 {28}
HCP Series
Lambda Series
SS Series 0.27 {28}
RF2040VRP Standard Series 0.88 {90} 0.44 {45}
HCP Series
Lambda Series
SS Series 0.44 {45}
RF2050VRP Standard Series 1.37 {140} 0.69 {70}
HCP Series
Lambda Series
SS Series 0.69 {70}
RF2060VRP Standard Series 2.06 {210} 1.03 {105}
HCP Series
Lambda Series
SS Series 1.03 {105}
RF2080VRP Standard Series 5.30 {540} 2.65 {270}
HCP Series
Lambda Series
SS Series 2.65 {270}
Size & Roller type Base Chain Type Roller types
Steel
(Double Plus Free Flow Chains )		 Center Roller
(Equal Speed )
RF2030VR Standard Series 0.98 {100} -
RF2040VR・CR Standard Series 1.57 {160} 1.57 {160}
RF2050VR・CR Standard Series 2.45 {250} 2.45 {250}
RF2060VR・CR Standard Series 3.73 {380} 3.73 {380}
RF2080VR・CR Standard Series 5.30 {540} 5.30 {540}

Table 15 Maximum allowable load of the chain (2)

Units ：kN{kgf}
Size Chain type
Outboard Roller Chains Single-Strand Top Roller Chain
Steel
roller 		Plastic R Roller Poly Steel Chain Stainless
steel roller 		Steel
roller 		Plastic R Roller Stainless
steel roller
RF2040・RS40 2.65 {270} 0.44 {45} 0.44 {45} 0.69 {70} 2.65 {270} 0.44 {45} 0.69 {70}
RF2050・RS50 4.31 {440} 0.69 {70} 0.69 {70} 1.03 {105} 4.31 {440} 0.69 {70} 1.03 {105}
RF2060・RS60 6.28 {640} 1.03 {105} 0.88 {90} 1.57 {160} 6.28 {640} 1.03 {105} 1.57 {160}
RF2080・RS80 10.7 {1090} 1.77 {180} - 2.65 {270} 10.7 {1090} 1.77 {180} 2.65 {270}
RF2100 17.1 {1740} 2.55 {260} - 2.55 {260} 17.1 {1740} 2.55 {260} 2.55 {260}
RS100 3.82 {390} 3.82 {390}

Note)

  • 1. The allowable load of Lambda Chain is the same as that of steel roller chain.
  • 2. The max. allowable load of double-strand top roller chain is 1.7 times that of single-strand top roller chain (1.4 times for Lambda Chain).