General Requirements

Shaft Alignment : Shafts must be rigidly supported in properly designed bearings or bushes. Shaft displacement will destroy the initial alignment and shorten chain and sprocket life. Align the shafts horizontally with a leveling device.

Sprocket alignment: Sprockets must be in a line and not offset on the shafts. Abnormal Sprocket and chain sidebar where will result if alignment is not maintained.

When two or more strands of chain must operate as a unit, as in a double-strand conveyor, the Sprocket teeth on the heads shaft must be time to pick up the load on each chain simultaneously . Aligning the key ways in the shaft and then aligning the key ways of the sprockets on tooth centerline will assure the proper match.

Chain : Place the chain around the Sprockets with the free ends meeting on one Sprocket when assembling straight sidebar chains. Insert the connecting link and then the closing bar over the pins drive the closing bar on to both pins at the same time taking care not to bend the link. Most chains are designed with a press fit between the pins and bars.

Freedom from interference : Contact between the moving parts of the conveyor and adjacent objects must not occur. Appropriate clearance should be provided to allow for normal chain sag and take- up movement. Guides and tracks should be smooth and free of foreign materials.

CHAINS : Pitch = Dimension from one pin centre to the next; Inside width = width between inner link plates; Roller diameter; Bush diameter; Pin diameter; Link plate dimensions; material used, chain length, dimensions of attachment and if possible dimensional drawing.

Chain Sprockets : Number of teeth. Pitch of the chain; Corresponding type of chain; bore and tolerance; length of hub, one sided or symmetrical and material composition.

Conveyors : Type of conveyor, capacity of conveyor, length from centre to centre, Materials to be moved, the gradient of conveyor. Points of charging and discharging, degree of humidity of material, temperature of material, density of material(gm/cc).