What are the Main Types of Industrial Chains?

If your industrial equipment/ machinery or system involves using chains for power transmission, whether for running the conveyor belts or water pumps, it is prudent to ensure they are fitted correctly and maintained in top condition. More importantly, you also need to ensure that only chains with the right ratings are installed in your system. In this post, we will dig deeper into the main types of industrial chains.

A Brief about Industrial Chains 

Chains have been in use for hundreds of years, with the earliest believed to have been used around the 1600s. This simple yet efficient method of power transmission allows people to do more with less energy. The chains are designed with short cylinders that are held together using links on the sides and work hand in hand with sprockets to run machines of different sizes. 

Over the years, these chains have been refined, helping to cut down friction, increase power and efficiency. They are also more durable. The styles and sizes of the chains have also evolved to support different industries, from foodservice to agriculture. 

The different chains come with many similarities but feature varying tolerances when it comes to the weight they can handle and durability. Also, it is important to note that industrial chains fall into two main standards, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and International Standards Organization (ISO). Both provide excellent durability and ease of use.  

Chain Categories in Industrial Facilities 

The Standard Roller Chains

Taking a closer look at industrial chains, you will realize that the standard roller chains are the commonest. They are used for transferring power in many industries, from waste handling facilities to running large industrial machines on the globe. They also come with a wide range of weight ratings, from 1,000 to 150,000 pounds of tensile strength. Anytime that you need to lift heavy loads, you can count on the standard chains and enjoy excellent efficiency with little maintenance. 

Specialty Industrial Chains: Recommended for Special Projects 

There are times when the standard roller chains will not work for your facility, perhaps because of the challenging environments or because of the heavy-duty applications. In such a situation, you need a specialty type of chain. These are chains designed to match your individual power transmission needs. Even with the focus on specific applications, they still meet the International Standards Organization (ISO) standards.

Engineering Class chains 

These chains are constructed to deliver superior strength and durability for your operations. You can find engineering chains in many applications, from car wash machinery to material handling equipment of industrial facilities. This category of the chain is ideal where your equipment will be subject to a great deal of jolts, stress, dirt, and greasy situations. When selecting these chains, make sure they are designed to perfectly match your machine specifications, especially power rating and size.

Leaf Chains

These chains are made using interlocking designs for reinforcing their strength and durability. They differ from roller chains because they feature stacked plates and pins that fit tightly. When you use leaf chains, you are sure of enhanced strength when working in very demanding situations. 

As you can see, industrial chains vary so much, and you should select the model for your facility depending on the application. Remember to ensure you have the right sprockets, motors, and bearings for effective operations of the chains. Besides, they must be installed properly and maintained in top condition or higher efficiency and durability.