Roller Chain

How Does a Roller Chain Work?

Roller chains, part of simple machines, are fascinating and much more complex than you might realize. There are plenty of moving parts in each roller chain and each has to mesh smoothly and efficiently for work to occur. Roller chains have been used by farmers and in manufacturing for generations without many changes in engineering. With sizes available to fit projects of any scale, roller chains are an important part of many agricultural or industrial applications. Whether you’re just dipping a toe into the world of roller chains or are expanding your knowledge, these quick FAQs will give you a solid overview of information about roller chains.

Roller chains are most commonly found in conveyor systems, assembly lines, industrial and agricultural machinery, bicycles and motorcycles. Roller chains work by connecting rotating sprockets to a motor, transferring power, and ultimately moving a load.

How is Roller Chain Measured?

Roller chains are made up of a series of cylindrical rollers that are connected by links. The distance from one roller-pin center to the next is considered the “pitch” of the chain. There are standard sizes of roller chains available, starting with a petite 25 chain up to a massive 240 chain. Roller chains are measured to well-defined ANSI standards in the US.

Is There a Metric Roller Chain?

There are two main types of chains that you’ll find in the US: “standard” and “metric.” Metric roller chains are also known as ISO British chain. While unusual, if you find that the measurements of a chain you’re replacing do not match the standard ANSI sizes, it’s possible that you need to instead find metric roller chain to ensure you receive a direct replacement for your chains.

Is 40 and 41 Chain the Same?

While it may be tempting to glance at the 0.500 pitch size of the 40 and 41 roller chain and assume they are the same, there are significant differences in the roller diameter, roller width, plate height and thickness. What is surprising is that you might expect the 41 roller chain to have the higher tensile strength of the two chains, but the opposite is true.

At PEER Chain, we always seek to provide our customers and the community with access to the information that you need to quickly pinpoint the correct parts for your project. Ready to get order chains and accessories? Contact the friendly and knowledgeable experts at PEER Chain today at 800-523-4567 or via email to [email protected]. Our family has been providing high-quality, industrial-strength chains and sprockets to individuals and businesses across the US for more than 50 years and we look forward to helping you!

Early Years of Manufacturing

The 100th anniversary of the moving assembly line was recently celebrated by Ford, which is fitting since it was the Ford Motor Company who revolutionized its use. Engineers of today have greatly expanded on the original concepts, with groundbreaking new technologies revolutionizing manufacturing as we know it. Standardizing production allows managers and engineers to create processes that control and optimize each step along the way, reducing overall costs and improving efficiency. While the Ford approach to production was initially used for vehicles to transform a 12 hour process into one that took around 90 minutes, it was quickly adopted by other manufacturers of many complex consumer goods such as appliances.

The industrial age experienced a shift in the 18th century that significantly improved the efficiency of the manufacturing industry, considerably reducing the cost of tools and production time. Manufacturers started implementing roller chains during this period, with notable patents including Hans Renold, who patented a bush roller chain in 1880.

First Conveyor Belts

While conveyor belts had been around for hundreds of years by the time Ford introduced his concepts to vehicle manufacturing, this move toward automation was when roller chains truly began to expand in popularity. Business leaders and engineers began to see the true value provided by being able to move items quickly from one location to another with added complexity, such as that used in lumber mills where chains with attachments hold logs as they move through the mill. Conveyor systems are driven by a range of chains that can move vertically, horizontally and even drop items into a truck bed or other location for loading and ultimately delivery. Conveyors also can be used for sorting, with smaller “gates” that products can go through.

Hoisting Heavy Loads Using Roller Chain

While steel cable can also be used for hoisting applications, roller chain doesn’t suffer from the same fraying and fatigue that plagues even the strongest steel cable. Lifting heavy loads can be challenging, as it’s critical that you maintain steady positions and even force on both the horizontal and vertical planes. Electric motors or transmissions are used to crank a common shaft that is affixed to the fixed roller chains, thereby lifting both the load and the platform. The simplicity of the design makes it ideal for a wide range of applications in plants and for agricultural uses as well. While this simple system can lift loads much heavier than an individual could ever lift, the speed and capacity are dependent on the tolerances of the various parts. These industrial lifts can be designed to lift loads of only around 50 pounds, while hoists with heavy-duty chain can lift up to 15,000 pounds!

Impact of Roller Chains

Roller chains and sprockets have been used to create some pretty amazing systems, such as the 60 mile long conveyor belt in the Sahara. This may sound like an odd location for this type of transportation, but the Sahara is very rich in phosphates. Phosphates are used in fertilizer to grow nearly every type of food we eat and even corn that is turned into ethanol to fuel our vehicles. Nearly 90 percent of all phosphate reserves in the world come from this one location in the Western Sahara, which happens to be inland. Transporting the phosphate from the mines to the sea where it is loaded to ships for transportation around the world would be difficult if not impossible without the conveyor belt. Without the appropriate chains to drive this type of conveyor system, farmers around the world would be unable to take advantage of the most effective and natural fertilizer: phosphates.

Roller chains play a significant role in various market groups, including industrial, heavy equipment, and agricultural sectors. Manufacturers can use roller chains for multiple applications, from bicycle chains to machinery that you use to lift heavy equipment. Due to their high efficiency in transmitting power and their inexpensive cost to use and maintain, the adoption of roller chains has made various production processes convenient.

Effective use of roller chains is in conveyor systems, which enables quick and efficient handling of equipment across the various sections of a production line. Roller chains facilitate the movement of heavy and bulky materials in these cases, ensuring that you can produce more effectively while saving time and money.

Importance of Roller Chain Lubrication

It’s obvious that lubrication can dramatically extend the specifications of roller chains, by allowing them to carry more weight, more quickly and with a lesser chance of damage. Chains that are running in a clean environment often are sealed in an oil bath far away from grit and dirt. However, it’s more likely that roller chains are being put into service in the dirtiest situations possible: for manure machines, hay baling machines, farming applications and conveyor system equipment. These chains are subject to a great deal of wear and certainly aren’t sealed away from damage-causing materials! Friction as well as damage from external impacts, a lack of lubrication or adjustment can all cause these roller chains to wear out before their time.

It is no news that lubricating your roller chain helps serve you longer and better. The material you use and the lubricant method are as crucial as lubricating your roller chain. An excellent example of the importance of lubrication is our ProCoat Roller Chain, which you can use in humid environments due to its high-quality rust resistance.

Roller Chain Measurements

Construction of Roller Chains

Roller chains are the most popular type of chains because of their extreme versatility. They are made up of alternating links — inner links and outer links, commonly referred to as roller links and pin links. While roller chains and their sprockets have a more complex design, they offer much less friction than other types of chains making them more efficient and less likely to wear prematurely. Roller chains with a bushing require an additional step in the manufacturing process, but they distribute wear over a greater area, which can reduce the overall pressure and wear that the chains are subject to. PEER Chain’s optional Quest technology features a solid bushing, which reduce wear between the pin and bushing and extending chain life. Further, Quest chain components are shot peened for greater fatigue resistance. Each Quest chain is pre-loaded after assembly to reduce initial chain elongation.

Quality Materials and Manufacturing

Not all roller chains and sprockets are created equal — and we only offer the best quality products here at PEER Chain. While we offer an extensive variety of standard and custom chains and sprockets from our manufacturing facilities around the globe, we also provide special order, cut-to-length and other services in our Waukegan, IL production and fulfillment center. We have been providing chains, sprockets and related products to manufacturers and distributors since 1969, and we take pride in making sure that you are always running – because that’s what family does!

Customer Service You Can Trust

PEER Chain is THE chain company to do business with. Our customer needs become our goals, and you can count on us to make sure you get your solutions on time. Our PEER Chain Customer Success and Sales teams provide over-the-top service to keep you running. When you’re talking to us it feels like family, and we make sure that you’re receiving the service and solutions you need to meet your requirements. With our extensive on-hand inventory, we are able to ship most standard chains and sprockets same day and many custom attachment roller chains in three business days or less. Our mission is to pinpoint your best solution by delivering on our promises of product genius and over-the-top service so you are always running.

Roller chains have supported a multitude of industries, including automotive, food, beverage, agricultural, material handling, and many more! Chains provide a unique benefit that makes production more cost-effective, efficient and consistent. When these systems are down, productivity comes to a halt. Time is money, which is why PEER Chain stocks a large inventory of roller chains and sprockets, along with a wide assortment of attachments. Do you have questions about how to find the ideal roller chain for your needs? Contact our friendly and knowledgeable professionals at 800-523-4567 or via email to [email protected]. If you are attempting to match a chain or sprocket and don’t see what you need, just let us know!