Choosing the right chain for your application

With so many different industries and environments, how do you know what the right chain for any given application is? There is not always one correct answer, but many factors can play into making the best choice. 

Let’s take a look at two specific applications. 

1. Cement plants

A big mover of bulk products within a cement plant is bucket elevator chains. These are larger engineering class chains that move product vertically from process to process. Buckets are attached to the chain and scoop the product at the bottom, dumping them off at the top. These applications are notoriously dirty, dusty and abrasive. Bushed chains without rollers are widely used, as the elimination of a roller takes away an area where the abrasive product can cause wear, and the need for a roller on a vertical lift is not really needed. Tsubaki of Canada, based in Mississauga, Ont., uses high-grade carbon or alloy steel to make these chains to endure punishing shock loads and abrasive wear. The addition of a barrier seal is standard on the 4000 series of cement mill chains and keeps abrasive product away from the pin bushing area to extend chain wear life. In plants where high humidity or corrosion is an issue, the use of a hardened stainless steel pin can be used as an upgrade, or the addition of SJ3 seals can further extend the wear life over and above the standard barrier seal.

2. Packaging machines

Packaging machinery needs chains that will yield minimal stretch and length difference between strands in order to properly index materials. The chains also need to stay clean and lubricated at the same time. Lambda attachment chains are perfect in this environment. Attachments are available in all the same varieties as standard attachment chains, and Tsubaki can also make custom attachments to suit the application if required. The Lambda bushing will produce enough lubrication to ensure the chain is maintained properly, while not contaminating the product on the line. The chains are always lubricated, ensuring a minimal amount of wear, which results in even and prolonged wear life. In very critical applications, Tsubaki can also offer the chains matched and tagged to a specific nominal range. To protect against corrosion, Lambda attachment chains can also be supplied in nickel-plated or Tsubaki’s proprietary NEP formulation.

When in doubt, ask Tsubaki to review your application. It may save you money and downtime in the future.

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