Chain Drive
Chain Drives and their Design
Created by Dr Ahmed Al Zubaydi
Chain Drives
• A chain is a power transmission element made as a series of pin-connected links.
• The design provides for flexibility while enabling the chain to transmit large tensile forces.
• When transmitting power between rotating shafts, the chain engages mating toothed
wheels, called sprockets.
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Chain Drives
• The most common type of chain is the roller chain, in which the roller on each pin provides
exceptionally low friction between the chain and the sprockets.
• Roller chain is classified by its pitch, the distance between corresponding parts of adjacent
links.
• The pitch is usually illustrated as the distance between the centers of adjacent pins.
• U.S. Standard roller chain carries a size designation from 25 to 240, as listed in Table 7–
12,13.
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Figure 7–33 Basic arrangement of an industrial chain drive
Chain Drives
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Chain Drives
• Able to transmit large tensile forces.
• Most common – roller chain.
• A typical roller chain drive set up
and some roller chain styles.
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Chain drives
• Can connect two parallel shafts
• Similar to gears
• Suitable for very long and short distances
• More compact
• Power transmission efficiency is 98 to 99%
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Roller Chains
Various parts Chordal rise
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Types of Chains
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9
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The ratings are for a single strand of chain.
• Although multiple strands do increase the power capacity, they do not provide
a direct multiple of the single-strand capacity.
• Multiply the capacity in the tables by the following factors.
• Two strands: Factor = 1.7
• Three strands: Factor = 2.5
• Four strands: Factor = 3.3
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Service Factor
• The chain manufacturer’s ratings are for a service factor of 1.0. Specify a
service factor for a given application as shown in Table 7–16.
• The combination of the nature of the driving member and the driven
machine permit the selection of the service factor. Then compute the
design power, 𝑃𝑑𝑒𝑠 , from,
𝑃𝑑𝑒𝑠 = 𝑆𝐹(𝑃)
where P is the power delivered to the chain drive.
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Design Guidelines for Chain Drive
1. The minimum no of teeth should be 17, unless operating at low
speed ( <10.47 rad/s).
2. Maximum speed ratio: 7.0
3. Centre distance between the sprocket axes should be
approximately 30 to 50 pitches (30 to 50 times the pitch of the
chain).
4. Larger sprocket normally has no more than 120 teeth.
5. The preferred arrangement for a chain drive is with the centreline of
the sprockets horizontal and with the tight side on the top.
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6. Chain length and centre distance:
7-18
7-19
As of belt drives, chain drives can be selected from data tables.
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7. Pitch diameter of a sprocket with N teeth for a chain with a
pitch of p:
7-20
8. Min. sprocket diameter and min. number of teeth in a
sprocket are limited by the size of the shaft.
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9. Arc of contact
– For the smaller sprocket:
• Should be greater than 120°
7-21
- For the larger sprocket:
7-22
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Lubrication Requirements for Chain Drive
• Lubrication
– Essential because of moving parts.
– Petroleum-based lubricating oil similar to engine oil recommended.
• Method of lubrication:
– Type A. Manual or drip lubrication.
– Type B. Bath or disc lubrication.
– Type C. Oil steam lubrication.
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Roller chain – Life
• Number of teeth on sprocket: The
smaller the number of teeth, the greater
the shock loading.
• Chain speed: The greater the chain
speed, the greater the shock loading
• Lubrication: Poor lubrication will
shorten the life of a roller due to wear
• Environment: Dirty or dusty conditions
tend to have an adverse affect on roller
chain life
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Chain Drives Design Example 7-2
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Example 2: Chain Drives
Specify the required length of no. 60 chain to mount on sprockets having 15 and 50
teeth with a centre distance of no more than 914.4 mm in and compute the actual
centre distance.
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Example 3: Chain Drives
Determine the power rating of a no. 60 chain, single strand, operating on a 20-tooth sprocket
at 750 rpm. Describe the preferred method of lubrication. The chain connects a hydraulic
drive with a meat grinder. What would be the rating for three strands?
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