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Cema - Chain Fact Sheet 02

Roller chains and engineering class chains serve different purposes despite sharing the name "chain". Roller chains are primarily used to transmit power between rotating components, using a standardized numbering system. Engineering class chains are mainly used to move materials, with design varying between manufacturers and industries. While both transfer motion, roller chains operate under ideal conditions transmitting power between sprockets, whereas engineering class chains are designed for specific harsh material handling environments requiring longer runs under heavy loads.

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Richard Balseca
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92 views2 pages

Cema - Chain Fact Sheet 02

Roller chains and engineering class chains serve different purposes despite sharing the name "chain". Roller chains are primarily used to transmit power between rotating components, using a standardized numbering system. Engineering class chains are mainly used to move materials, with design varying between manufacturers and industries. While both transfer motion, roller chains operate under ideal conditions transmitting power between sprockets, whereas engineering class chains are designed for specific harsh material handling environments requiring longer runs under heavy loads.

Uploaded by

Richard Balseca
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association

6724 Lone Oak Blvd. Naples, Florida 34109


Tel: (239) - 514-3441 Fax: (239) - 514-3470
Web Site: http://www.cemanet.org
E-Mail: cema@cemanet.org

CEMA CONVEYOR CHAIN SECTION


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CONVEYOR CHAIN FACT SHEET 2007-02

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ENGINEERING CLASS AND ROLLER CHAINS

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For most of us, our initial recognition of chain came with our first bicycle. Here we
witnessed the application of a chain and sprocket to transfer power from our legs
through a simple mechanism to move the bicycle forward. This basic function of using
chain to transfer power from one energy source to another exists in many applications.

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Although roller and engineering class chains carry the same generic name, there is a
vast difference in design, construction, and applications between these two products.
Roller Chains are primarily used for the transmission of power, while engineering class
chains are most often used for the movement of materials. There are some exceptions
but the rule to remember is: Roller Chains for power transmission and Engineering
class chains for material handling. Each of these product lines have precise design
features to achieve these functions efficiently and at low cost.

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Roller chains are highly standardized and use a universal code for the identification of
the product. This code is based upon the use of the number 80 equals a 1 pitch.
Following this simple coding system, a number 80RC means the chain has a one-inch
pitch. By a simple process, we can identify the pitch of a roller chain by its relationship
to the number 80. For example, a inch pitch would become a number 60RC because
60 is of 80. A half-inch pitch becomes a number 40RC, etc. Thus, each chain size
can be identified by this simple numbering system regardless of the manufacturer or
country of origin.

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There is no standard numbering system for engineering class chains. Instead, each
manufacturer uses his own system to identify his product. This lack of universal
numbering system was a deliberate attempt by some manufacturers to control the after
market of replacement products where their chain was on the original installation.
There has been agreement on pitch and dimensional sizes but a customer who wants to
compare value must refer to a catalog or interchange list. Even then, the question of
manufacturing controls, steels used, heat treatment processes and dimensional controls
is left unanswered.

Presented as a service to the Conveyor Industry by the CEMA Conveyor Chain Section.
Come and join us.

We should remember that the most common use of engineering class chains is the
movement of material rather than the transmission of power. Thus, the typical
application will usually require a much longer run of chain, usually at a slower speed, in
very poor operating conditions where the loads are very high. These conditions make it
essential that the chains are designed for the conditions found on the job.

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Since operating conditions vary so much from application to application, engineering


class chains are generally designed for a specific industry. Chains used in the cement
industry are engineered to operate in the hot, dusty environment in those operations.
Similarly, products have been specifically designed for sewage, forest products, mining,
construction, automotive, asphalt, sugar and a multitude of other industries. Thus, a
major difference between the classes of chain is engineering class chains are made for
a specific industry while roller chains are designed for universal applications in all
industries.

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Roller chains are designed for the transmission of power. The typical application is a
drive mechanism where the chain transmits power from an energy source through a
series of sprockets and a speed reducer to the usage point. The chain operates under
ideal conditions where good lubrication is present, at a relatively high speed. The
selection process for the roller chain drive is relatively simple because the process has
become so standardized.

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Other than carrying the same generic name, chain, there are very few similarities
between the two products. We use the name to describe the number of products from
necklaces, to tow chains, to tire chains, and even to the ball and chains used to secure
prisoners. The bicycle chain properly fits the description of a roller chain but is quite
different in design and function from an engineering class chain.

Presented as a service to the Conveyor Industry by the CEMA Conveyor Chain Section.
Come and join us.

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