Technical Data Small Size Conveyor Chains Handling
Inspection
Frequently inspect the chain during the initial operating period in order to carry out necessary adjustment. Inspect the following items.
- (1)Unusual wear of chain.
- (2)Slack in chain.
- (3)Vibration and jerking of chain.
- (4)Unusual wear of sprocket, unusual contact of sprocket with other components due to eccentricity, debris accumulation in teeth valleys. When the sprocket properly engages with the chain, even contact is represented by the trace of contact shown as A in the illustration, while uneven trace of contact shown as B in the illustration represents improper installation of the sprocket or a twisted chain. Rechecking is needed. The normal point of impact is slightly up from the tooth root. However, when initial tension remains in the slacked side of the chain, the chain slightly contacts the valley. However, even in this case, strong contact should be traced around A. With idlers and tighteners, contact happens at the middle of the valley.
Fig. 28. Trace of Contact
- (5)Too much guide rail wear.
- (6)Any abnormality in the lubricating system.
・Causes of Vibration, Jerking, and Unusual Wear
- (1)Overload, glass fragments caught between components.
- (2)Warping of the chain on the return side.
- (3)Insufficient lubrication or no lubrication.
- (4)Wear of the sprocket.
- (5)Unusual wear or breakage of the chain.
Usage Limits
When the sprocket is worn as illustrated below (to the left), the chain is prone to being caught by the tips of the teeth (A), making the disengagement of the chain from the sprocket difficult, hence resulting in vibration of the chain.
Though wear allowance depends on the type of conveyor and the size of the chain to a certain extent, if the sprocket is replaced when the wear reaches 0.3 to 1.0 mm, damage to the chain can be avoided.
When the sprocket is worn in the direction of the tooth width as illustrated below (to the right), the shaft may not be properly aligned and should be corrected.
Fig. 32. Sprocket tooth wear
