Engineering Steel Chain Conveyors

ENGINEERING STEEL CHAIN CONVEYOR SELECTION GUIDELINES... 

Engineering Steel Chain Conveyors Inclined Conveyors (see Figure 9-42)... 

Nine types of chain conveyors were described in the chapter on engineering steel chain conveyors. The descriptions are very detailed and are not repeated here. Designers should refer to chapter 9 for more iirformafion. Roller chains can be used on any of the listed conveyor types. However, good practice dictates against using roller chain in a few of those conveyor types. 

There are many general types of engineering steel chains, and some of those covered in this book are shown in Figure 1-19 to Figure 1-22. Those with steel rollers are perhaps the most widely used on both drives and conveyors. The bushed, rollCTless style meets the needs of many conveyor and bucket elevator applications. Welded steel versions of the basic cast chains are now quite popular, and a simple bar-link type is used for slow-moving conveyors and tension hnkages. Each of these types is illustrated and described in detail in a subsequait chapter. 

On the other hand, a sidebar in an engineering steel chain is likely to be placed in a conveyor miming in a wet and dirty environment. The sidebar is subjected to relatively few cycles at high loads, but is subjected to a lot of moisture and dirt. Engineering steel chains more often have to be replaced because of corrosion and abrasive wear. 

Many other types of engineering steel chains exist, although most of them are not the subjects of published standards. Special-purpose chains for handling materials, such as double-flex conveyor chains, welded rooftop and flat-top chains, steel detachable chains, and steel fabricated chains with plastic bushed rollers for use where lubrication is unacceptable, are only a few of the products available. All of these may be found in manufacturers catalogs. 

Many different types of engineering steel chains are used in a wide variety of apphcations. Most engineering steel chains are used in conveyors, bucket elevators, and tension linkages. Only a few are used in drives. Space does not permit a discussion of all the different types of engineCTing steel chains mentioned in chapter 2. Only straight sidebar chains, with and without rollers, for conveyors and bucket elevators, and offset sidebar chains for drives will be discussed. Welded steel chains and block and bar chains are beyond the scope of this chapt. ... 

An engineering steel chain in a conveyor or drive may be snbjected to all of the tensile loads that were described earher. However, the tensile loads from centrifugal force, chordal action, and vibration are not very hkely to be a major factor. Thns, engineering steel chain mnst have certain tensile strength properties to withstand the wide range of tensile loads that may be imposed on it. The major strength properties that an engineering steel chain must have are discussed below. 

Fatigue strength in the finite-life range is a very important consideration in designing engineering steel chains. Loads sometimes exceed the fatigue Unfit in some heavily loaded conveyors and drives. 

Wear is probably the most important consideration in designing an engineering steel chain. Joint wear, roller and bushing wear, and sidebar and track wear are the greatest concerns for conveyor chains. Joint wear and roller and sprocket wear are the major concerns for drive chains. 

Engineering Steel Chain Construction and Components Steel Roller Conveyor Chain... 

Another type of special-purpose sprocket is shown in Figure 9-34. This is a compensating sprocket. It is used to drive the head shaft in conveyors that use long-pitch engineering steel chains. 

Typical tooth forms for different types of engineering steel chains are shown in Figure 4-41. One can see notable differences between sprockets made for drive chains, conveyor chains, and bar-link chains. 

The shaft sizes for larger sprockets are usually selected before selecting the proper hub size. This is so whether it is for a drive or a conveyor. The data and examples given in this section are based on sprockets for engineering steel chain, but they apply equally well to shaft selection for roller chain or silent chain drives. 

Engineering steel chains are used on conveyors in an enormous variety of applications, although most installations can be resolved into one of the types of conveyors described in this chapter. Conveying applications may be classified in many ways. The materials handled may be bulk, such as sand or grain, or unit, such as television sets or cartons. The conveyor chain also may carry the material or push or scrape it. 

This chapter describes the more common basic tj s of chain conveyors to help the reader understand how each type of chain conveyor functions and to recognize the chain attachments required to support, move, and discharge the material from the conveyor. The chain conveyors discussed are arranged according to the type of service the conveyor performs and the types of attachments added to engineering steel chains that help them perform their required function. 

The engineering steel chains used on such conveyors may be set up to roll or to shde, depending on the details of the operation. Engineering steel roller chains, steelbushed rollerless chains, welded steel chains, and bar-fink steel chains are all used in this style of conveyor. 

The chains used on such conveyors are engineering steel roller conveyor or steel bushed rollerless chains. The latter are usually used when the chain is snbjected to high temperatures in drying ovens. 

Most conveyors that use standard engineering steel chains and attachments fall into one of the categories described in this chapter. However, some must meet specialized needs. In either case, contact a manufacturer of engineering steel chains for help. 

One of the best actions is to use a similar chain conveyor installation that has given good performance and service life. One should contact an engineering steel chain manufacturer for help in selecting a conveyor. Much experience is usually needed to make a good selection. 

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