1. Topics Introduction Drive Chain Types Sprockets Sprocket Types
MECH1200
Introduction
Drive Chain Types
Sprockets
Sprocket Types
Chain Drive Safety
Roller Chain Installation and Maintenance
Please read Chapter 11 in the text.

2. Introduction Chains have been used for thousands of years.
MECH1200
Chains have been used for thousands of years.
Chains were used on bicycles in the 1800’s
Advantages of chain drives:
Resistant to shock loads
Can transmit high torques
economical
Drive Chain Function and Operation
Main functions:
Material handling
Power transmission
Source:

3. MECH1200
Chain Drive
3 Basic Parts:
Chain
Driver Sprocket
Driven Sprocket
The Relative number of teeth between the driven sprocket and the driver sprocket determines the speed and torque of the driven shaft
Ratio of the teeth can be selected to increase or decrease speed or torque to the driven shaft

4. Sprocket Ratio Formula
MECH1200
Sprocket Ratio Formula
𝑅= 𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟
R= Sprocket Ratio
𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 = Number of teeth on driven sprocket
𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 = Number of teeth on the driver sprocket

5. MECH1200
Sprocket ratio is needed to calculate the speed and torque of chain drives
𝑅= 𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟
R= Sprocket Ratio
𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 = Number of teeth on driven sprocket
𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 = Number of teeth on the driver sprocket
Example:
Determine the sprocket ratio where 𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 = 33 teeth and 𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 = 20 teeth

6. MECH1200
Chordal Action
The chain does not ride completely along the pitch line because each link is a rigid bar that cannot bend to follow the circular path
The chain links remain straight lines as they move around the pitch circle in chordal action
Chordal action is similar to the motion a train makes as its straight cars move through a turn in the tracks.

7. MECH1200
The Chordal action of the chain links causes some frictional losses between sprocket and chain.
Friction occurs as each link engages the sprocket.
The roller helps reduce the frictional loss
The rising and falling of the links cause a slight speed variation in the chain drive causing the driven sprockets speed to oscillate.
The amount of oscillations depends on the number of teeth.
If #teeth > 25, oscillation is less than 1% and is disregarded.

8. MECH1200
The speed of the driven sprocket is determined by the sprocket ration. This is because the rate at which the teeth of the driven sprocket engage the chain is the same as the rate at which the driver sprocket teeth disengage the chain.
Different number of teeth constitutes different rotational speed as well as effecting the torque.
More teeth, less speed
More teeth, more torque

9. Chain Drive Speed Formula
MECH1200
Chain Drive Speed Formula
𝑆 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑆 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 = 𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟
𝑆 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 = 1280 RPM
𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 = 41 Teeth
𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 = 12 Teeth
Chain Drive Torque Formula
𝑇 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑇 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 = 𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟
𝑇 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 = 300 in-lbs
𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛 = 26 Teeth
𝑁 𝐷𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟 = 14 Teeth

10. MECH1200
Power is transmitted through a single strand roller chain when the driver sprocket rotates and its teeth engage the roller links, pulling the chain around it. This causes the chain to pull on the teeth of the driven sprocket, causing it to rotate.
The chain drive uses the engagement (or interlocking) of the sprocket teeth and chain to drive it.

11. Four common types of chains
MECH1200
Four common types of chains

12. MECH1200
Roller Chain

13. MECH1200
Rollerless Chain

14. MECH1200
Silent Chain

15. MECH1200
Leaf Chain

16. MECH1200
The roller chain is the most common type of chain used in industrial chain drive systems
There are four basic types of roller chains

17. MECH1200
Single-Strand Chain

18. Multiple-Strand Chain
MECH1200
Multiple-Strand Chain

19. MECH1200
Double-pitch Chain

20. MECH1200
Offset Chain

21. MECH1200
Components of a Roller Chain
The pin of the pin link passes through the bushing on the roller link to make an assembly
Roller chain is made up of pin links and roller links
The links mesh with the sprockets so speed and torque can be transmitted
Roller links are similar to pin links, but are made of two side plates that are separated by bushings. The bushings support the rollers that are mounted to them
Roller links flex at the junction between links allowing rollers to freely roll reducing friction between the chain and sprocket

22. Roller Chain Components
MECH1200
Pins
Pin Link Plates
Roller
Pitch
Roller Link Plates

23. Drive Chain Types
MECH1200
Roller Chain: most common type. ANSI numbers them such that first number is the pitch in eighths of an inch.
Example: ANSI 50 indicates a chain of a pitch of 5/8’’
Types of roller chains:
Multiple Strand Roller Chain: used to increase chain power capacity without increasing the pitch of the chain.
Heavy Series Roller Chain: have thick side plates, to withstand high shock loads. Identified by the letter H in the ANSI code.
Double Pitch Roller Chain: the pitch is two times longer than in standard roller chains.
Self-Lubricating Roller Chain
O-ring Chain: O-rings seal the lubricant in the joints.
Engineering Chains:
Offset Sidebar Chains
Pintle, Mill, and Drag Chains
Silent Chain: teeth are in continuous contact with sprocket, thus noise is reduced
Leaf Chain
Polymeric Chains
Tabletop Chain.

24. Sprockets Face Width Length Through Bore Bottom Diameter
MECH1200
Face Width
Length Through Bore
Bottom Diameter
Outside Diameter
Bore
Pitch Diameter
Source: Drawing is in the public domain and was taken fromWikimedia Commons, Wikimedia Foundation

25. Sprocket Nomenclature
MECH1200
Body (plate)
Hub
Teeth (rim)

26. Standard Types of Sprockets
MECH1200
A type: A plate sprocket with no hubs
B type: One hub projection (most common)
C type: The sprocket has hubs on both sides
D type: A sprocket with detachable bolts on the hubs

27. Sprocket Part Numbers
MECH1200
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) maintains a standard for sprocket and chain design. Example 1: A sprocket has the number 25A36-3/8’’ Then it is for a roller chain of a ANSI standard size of 25 and a A-style hub with 36 teeth and a bore diameter of 3/8’’. Exercise 1: A sprocket has the number 50B21-7/8’’ What is its bore diameter? What type is it, and how many teeth does it have?

28. Special Sprocket Types
MECH1200
Split Sprocket: to allow for installation of halves around the shaft.
Sectional Rim Sprockets: the rim is sectioned into three parts to allow for replacement without uninstalling the sprocket.
Double Pitch Sprocket
Shear Pin Sprockets: the hub is keyed to the shaft, the sprocket is free to rotate on the shaft when the shear pin that couples it to the hub is broken.

29. Chain Drive Selection Drive Ratio: at most 7:1
MECH1200
Drive Ratio: at most 7:1
Sprocket Size: As number of teeth increases, variation of chain speed resulting from chordal action decreases.
Center Distance: a good design practice is to use a center distance of about pitches. It should not be long to avoid vibrations and pulsation.
Idler Sprockets: a chain tightening device. Should have at least three teeth in engagement.

30. Roller Chain Safety
MECH1200
Roller chain drives should be inspected after the first 100 hours of operation.
Regular inspections should be made once every three week intervals.
Chain safety guidelines: please read the guidelines on page 289 of the text.

31. Roller Chain Installation and Maintenance
MECH1200
Chain installation and maintenance
Store in a dry location in lubricant
Drive interference: clean debris and built up material in between the sprocket and chain.
Chain Case: the case is needed to protect personnel, isolate chain from contaminant, and facilitate lubrication.
Chain and Sprocket Inspection:
Check for chain stretch (Chain elongation), Chain elongation should not exceed 3% (0.36’’ per foot).
Check side plates for misalignment, cracks, or wear.
Check for stiff and frozen chain joints
Check for corrosion in the chain drive parts.
Check for wobbly and loose sprockets.
Check for wear and scratches and changes on the teeth.

32. 10 Steps for Chain Installation, Alignment and Removal
MECH1200
10 Steps for Chain Installation, Alignment and Removal
1 – Mount and level the motor and driven component
2 – Inspect the Sprockets
3 – Mount the Sprockets on the shafts
4 – Mount the Chain
5 – Align the Sprockets
6 – Apply Tension to the Chain
7 – Apply lubrication to the Chain
8 – Run the Motor briefly to test the drive
9 – Recheck the chain sag
10 – Chain removal

33. Exercises You will be handed a sprocket. Measure the following?
MECH1200
You will be handed a sprocket. Measure the following?
The bore diameter
The pitch
The number of teeth
What type is the sprocket?
Compare your measurements to the ANSI number shown on the sprocket.
Find the above specifications for the sprocket whose number is 60C80-5/8’’
What is the pitch of the chain with the specification 60?
What is the pitch of the silent chain specified as SC-608?