What is Conveyor Chain?
Simply put, a conveyor chain moves loads (often heavy) along or up an incline on a production line. Conveyor chains are often referred to as Large Pitch Chain or Engineered Class Chain. Drop Forged Chain is another example. They are referenced using their breaking strength and chain pitch, for example 6000lbs with a 4 inch pitch. The pin diameter, inside width and plate thickness are common across a number of chain pitches. There are then a number of standard roller options plus a choice of solid or hollow pins and for some chains there is a deep link side plate option.
Conveyors are as old as history itself. How did the Pharaohs build the pyramids? How did Stonehenge arrive miles away from the nearest source of stone? The answer is probably down to the use of conveyors which, in those days would have been a collection of rollers to move massive, heavy objects. The earliest example of chain being used in a conveyor form dates back to ancient China where it was used to irrigate rice fields… Read More
What are the components of a conveyor chain?
A. Conveyor chain pitch – this is the distance between the centre of one pin to the centre of the next
B. Conveyor chain side plate
C. Conveyor chain pin – the pin is pressed into the conveyor chain side plate to make an interference fit and hold the chain together edition of square or flat ends can help the chain with stand high turning forces.
D. Conveyor chain bush
E. Conveyor chain roller – where the roller protrudes below the plate height the load being conveyed transfers onto a rail or track lowering the coefficient of friction where the chain will experience side loads the use of a flange roller will insure the chain travels in the correct direction. small rollers aid the engagement with the chain sprocket would you sing the way on the sprocket teeth.
F. Conveyor chain inner width
E. Conveyor chain rivet – there are a number of different options for keeping the compare chain pin engaged with the side plates spun rivets and pressed rivets generally because of selected as they suit the conveyor chain manufacturers process full stake riveting and welding convert chain pins a generally considered to increase the interference fit with the chain side plates.
What types of conveyor chain are available?
There are a three main types of conveyor chain:
Solid Bearing Pin Chain: Solid bearing pin chain, while having exactly the same gearing dimensions in the series of chain as the equivalent hollow pin chain, i.e.pitch, inside width and roller diameter, is more robust with a higher breaking load and is recommended for use where more arduous conditions may be encountered.
Deep Link Chain: Hollow and solid pin chain has an optional side plate design known as deep link. This chain’s side plates have greater depth than normal, thus providing a continuous carrying edge above the roller periphery.
Hollow Bearing Pin Chain: Hollow pin conveyor chain offers the facility for fixing attachments to the outer links using bolts through the hollow pin and attachment, this method of fixing being suitable for use in most normal circumstances. The attachments may be bolted up tight or be held in a ‘free’ manner. Bolted attachments should only span the outer link as a bolted attachment spanning the inner link would impair the free articulation of the chain.
Are there standards for Conveyor Chain?
Similar to transmission chain, conveyor chain can be made to conform to a variety of different international standards during the manufacturing process. The following are the primary criteria that can be used:
Imperial British Standard – This standard is region of the world with historical links to the UK British market and markets where a strong British presence has dominated engineering design and purchasing. The standard is based on the original Renold conveyor chain design. This standard applies to chain that is made to fit the needs of the British market as well as areas where a strong presence of British companies has dominated engineering design and purchasing. The original design of the conveyor chain has been adopted as the basis for the standard.
ISO Standard – Chain manufactured to ISO standards is not interchangeable with BS or DIN standard chain. This standard has a wide acceptance in the European market, except in Germany. Chain manufactured to this standard is becoming more popular and are used extensively in the Scandinavian region
Japanese standard – Conveyor chain JCAS 22
American Standard – ISO 606, ANSI B29.1, and DIN 8188 are the standards that cover American standard chains, and together they cover all eight variations.
Welded pins and bushes
Industrial conveyor systems are frequently required to operate in arduous and demanding conditions. When the performance of your conveyor chain is key, we often recommend using welded pins and bushes to provide greater strength and improve the wear characteristics of the chain… Read More
Drop Forged Chain
Conveyor chains made by drop forging are utilised in the process of bulk material handling for a variety of items including grain, coal, and ash. These chains are sometimes referred to as drop-forged scraper chains, and they are typically constructed with distinct flights or attachments.
After being forged from alloy steel, the chain links themselves are then carefully machined to conform to their specifications and tolerances. There is an extensive variety of drop-forged conveyor chains, with sizes ranging from 102mm to 260mm pitch. The sizes are available in a complete range.
Chains are fabricated using a unique heat-treated alloy steel that has been case hardened to a range of 55-62 RC with a case depth of 0.040 inches. Chains that are uniquely tailored for each application are made by utilising a variety of flight and pin combinations in their production. When put together, all of the components produce a product that is cost-effective and sturdy.
Scraper Chain
The wear resistance of drop forged link chains is combined with the innovation and characteristics that have been field-proven in modern FB conveyor chains to create FB rEVOLUTION scraper chains.
When deciding which kind of chain should be used in a scraper conveyor, the benefits of drop forged link chains and the benefits of conveyor chains were weighed and compared against one another. In spite of the fact that there is typically room for negotiation and compromise, the client in question was unwilling to budge on any of their demands in this instance.
Our solution was the creation of a scraper chain that is based on a conveyor chain that conforms to DIN8167/ISO1977, but that incorporates a novel link plate material called FB1000 as well as welded pins and bushings.
How do you increase the life of your conveyor chain?
Running your conveyor chain frequently on metal or plastic wear strips means it is imperative that you give careful consideration to both the hardness of the surfaces and the completed condition of the conveyor chain link plates. This is especially significant if your conveyor chain operates on metal wear strips… Read More
Sharp Top Chains – chains for the wood industry
A contemporary sawmill is at the heart of sustainable forestry and the processing of wood. This is where logs are converted into lumber. The transformation from a log that has just been felled to timber is a high-tech procedure that is formulated to maximise the production that can be obtained from each log that is brought into the mill by a sharp top chain.
These sawmills are extremely automated and productive because to the presence of laser measurement equipment, computers, and massive saw blades. Chains with teeth are used to carry the timber through the process quickly at each stage where the logs are chopped. These chains have pointed tops, which are used to cut the logs. On many different machines, including butt reducers, canters, and optimisers, sharp top chain is utilised.
INNO Wooden Flights
INNO wooden flights, which are also referred to as scrapers, are an alternative to steel conveyor scrapers that are both more energy efficient and cost effective. Sawmills, cement plants, and biomass power plants are just some of the industries that could benefit from their use.
The typical steel scrapers weigh one tenth as much as our flights produced from multi-laminated beech, which weigh the same after being processed and assembled using thermo-settings. However, our flights are just as long-lasting.
They are produced in the FB production facility in Germany, but they may be provided anywhere in the world. Additionally, we are able to manufacture INNO scrapers in accordance with the specific requirements that you provide.
How to do measure the efficiency of your chain conveyor?
Efficiency is the watchword for many businesses, but especially in the conveying industry. Efficient conveyors move more material, consume less energy, and maintain good health for longer – which equates to increased productivity and profitability… Read More
M Series Chains
Conveyor chains from the M Series are versatile enough to be utilised in a wide range of applications, such as the manufacturing of biomass and cement. These trustworthy chains can be utilised in difficult environmental situations because they are constructed using components that are resistant to wear and corrosion. Chains are available in various lengths.
Conveyor Chain Selector
If you are looking for a certain conveyor chain FB Chain has made it easy. Just go to the Conveyor Chain Selector and search by Chain Model Category, Chain Number, Pitch, Inside Width and Plate Thickness.
There are over 400 results so you are bound to find what you are looking for.
7 things motor amps tell you about the state of your conveyor chains
The amount of work that the motor needs to do to drive the chain conveyor, as indicated by the amount of power that it uses, provides incredibly useful information into the operation of the system. This insight enables you to take decisions that save both time and money, which is a win-win situation… Read More