Troubleshooting  Top chain

When chains and sprockets act abnormal, inspect them following Top Chain Installation and Inspection catalog.
Confirm the location and nature of the problem, then take the following remedies.

Conveyor equipment

1 Abnormal noise     Squeaking,Rattling
2 Pulsating/surging

Chain

3 Abnormal wear of the conveying surface of the chain
4 Abnormal wear and scratches of the back surface of the chain
5 Abnormal wear of the side of the chain
6 Chain flexing is stiff
7 Chain breaks or is damaged
8 Discoloration of chain

Conveyor peripheral and components

9 Wear dust or debris accumulates along wearstrips and below drive sprocket
10 Teeth jumping and/or failure to mesh with sprocket teeth

Conveyed objects

11 Conveyed products tip over at conveyor transfer points
Answers

Conveyor equipment

1 Abnormal noise     Squeaking,Rattling
Cause 1 Chain may be hitting safety cover, frame, etc.

  
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Action Locate the source of the noise and make corrections so that the chain is not making contact.
Cause 2 Chain is running in a place where guide clearance with the wearstrip is tight. Action Locate the tight part, check for temperature-related expansion and/or deformation of the wearstrip, and make corrections.
Cause 3 Wearstrip surface finish is rough or dimensions and/or materials are inappropriate. Action Replace with wearstrip that has smooth surface finish, that is dimensionally accurate, or made from appropriate material.
Cause 4 Chain direction of travel is backward. Action Re-install chain.
Cause 5 Lubrication is inadequate or operating conditions are too extreme. Action Make changes in the lubricant and/or lubrication method.
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2 Pulsating/surging
Cause 1 The location and/or spacing of return rollers and/or size and/or position of the catenary curve are inappropriate.


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Action Refer to Engineering Manual of the catalog and correct so that the chain is running smoothly on return way.
Cause 2 Idler sprocket and/or return roller not spinning smoothly. Action Take corrective measures such as supporting by bearings or adopting return rollers of larger diameter.
Cause 3 Chain is running in a place where guide clearance with the wearstrip is tight. Action Locate the tight part, check for temperature-related expansion and/or deformation of the wearstrip, and make corrections.
Cause 4 Foreign matter adhering to the wearstrip is impeding smooth sliding. Action Clean wearstrip to remove foreign matter.
Cause 5 Chain is catching or snagging on obstructions and/or on sharp edges at the ends of wearstrips. Action Smooth out the sharp edges and remove obstructions.
Cause 6 Lubrication is inadequate or operating conditions are too extreme. Action Make changes in the lubricant and/or lubrication method.
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Chain

3   
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Abnormal wear of the conveying surface of the chain
Cause 1 Return rollers not rotating. Action Increase the diameter of return rollers or change their specifications.
Cause 2 Small return intake radius R, or diameter of return rollers is too small. Action Refer to Engineering Manual of the catalog and correct.
Cause 3 Rough surface finish and/or inappropriate material the wearstrip on return way. Action Correct layout so that wearstrip made of appropriate material with smooth surface finish makes uniform contact across the chain width.
Cause 4 Rough or gritty spots that promote friction are adhering to the return rollers or wearstrip. Action Clean the conveyor. Take measures to identify the cause.
Cause 5 Damages caused by gude rails and/or obstructions Action Identify the obstruction and make corrections.
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4 Abnormal wear and scratches of the back surface of the chain
Cause 1 Chain is damaged by foreign materials adhering to or embedded in the wearstrip on carry-way. Action Remove foreign matter and clean.
Cause 2 Surface finish of carry-way wearstrip is rough. Action Make changes to surface finish or replace with appropriate wearstrip.
Cause 3 Contact amrks caused by idler wheel Action Replace with sprocket if necessary.
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5 Abnormal wear of the side of the chain
Cause 1 Position of sprockets or wearstrips inappropriate. Action Correct the position.
Cause 2 Surface finish of curved plastic rail is rough or material is inappropriate. Action Replace with wearstrip made of appropriate material with smooth surface finish.
Cause 3 Insufficient lubrication or operating conditions too extreme for curved conveyor. Action Make changes to lubrication method.
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6 Chain flexing is stiff
Cause 1 Pins and links have become bent as a result of overload, etc., and scoring (galling) has occurred. Action Remove and replace the stiff sections or replace with a new chain.
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7 Chain breaks or is damaged
Cause 1 Chain caught or snagged on foreign matter or obstruction. Action Remove foreign matter and obstructions.
Cause 2 Deterioration caused by chemicals or high temperatures, brittle fracture due to or corrosion. Action Identify cause and modify operating conditions or change the chain material.
Cause 3 Chain climbs sprocket teeth. Action Caused by excessive wear elongation of chain. Replace the chain.
Cause 4 Operating conditions too extreme and chain was subjected to catastrophic excess tension. Action Determine the cause and take corrective action.
Cause 5 Plug has fallen off. Action Check plug condition. Replace with new plug.
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8 Discoloration of chain
Cause 1 Adhesion of dirt or other contaminants. Action Clean chain.
Cause 2 Deterioration due to exposure to chemicals, high temperatures, ultraviolet light, etc. Action Check operating conditions and replace with chain made of appropriate material.
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Conveyor peripheral and components

9 Wear dust or debris accumulates along wearstrips and below drive sprocket
Cause 1 Surface finish of carry-way wearstrip is rough. Action Replace the curved plastic rail made of an appropriate
Cause 2 Sharp edges at ends of wearstrips or obstructions are abrading or gouging the chain. Action Smooth the edges.
Cause 3 Inadequate lubrication. Action Ensure adequate lubrication.
Cause 4 Presence of rough or gritty spots. Action Identify the cause and take corrective action.
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10 Teeth jumping and/or failure to mesh with sprocket teeth
Cause 1 Excessive chain elongation. Action Replace chain and/or sprockets.
Cause 2 Foreign matter has accumulated on roots of sprocket teeth. Action Remove the foreign matter and clean.
Cause 3 Sprocket has shifted out of position or is misaligned. Action Re-install.
Cause 4 Defective sprocket (damaged, deformed, swollen, corroded). Action Investigate the cause and re-check specifications. Replace as needed.
Cause 5 Damage around the hub of split sprockets. Action Check for loose or over-tight sprocket bolts. Check that bolts have the proper tightening torque when replacing.
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Conveyed objects

11 Conveyed products tip over at conveyor transfer points
Cause 1 Location and shape of guide rails, chain level, speed ratio, poor sliding Action Make the guide angle gentler. Change the position of the guides. Make corrections to speed and lubrication. Check level. Make changes if necessary.
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