Small Changes to Conveyor Chain Specification Can Have Big Impact

Chain conveyor applications are rarely the same, with the volume and type of product being conveyed varying considerably. This places many different types of demands on the choice of conveyor chain, which in turn means the selection process should be carefully considered. Small changes made to the chain specification can increase performance.

By using a chain with welded pins and bushes you may be able to reduce the chain size selected. For example: FV250A160 could be replaced by FV180A160. This chain would be 40% lighter and therefore take up far less space. Alternatively if you have a problem application then using a welded pin and bush conveyor chain would increase the life of your chain. How can this be made possible?

You should choose a chain that has been specially selected with weldability in mind. High quality, reliable and consistent results are achievable by selecting the correct type of material and using automatic welding machines. The automatic welding machines allow the ability to keep the welding process, the welding temperature and energy usage under tight control. Each size and type of chain has their own welding parameters preloaded into the automatic machine which minimises the likelihood of human error. Due to highly developed welding technology it is possible to keep the heat affected zone to an absolute minimum, which results in a finished chain that will stand the test of time.

In addition to the welding techniques employed, carefully protecting the ends of the pins and bushes from hardening improves the weldability of the chain, pins and bushes.

Chains with welded pins and bushes not only have a high durability against shock loads but they also have tensile strengths that are 30% higher than ISO Standard conveyor chains commonly found in the marketplace.

For example: The breaking load of a FB M315-conveyor chain

ISO Standard 315 kN Welded pin only 380-410 kN Welded pin and bush 440-450kN

Another small change to the chain specification which can have a big impact is tumbling side plates. What is surface tumbling? Tumbling is a simple process where the finished conveyor chain links plates are placed in a container and 'barrelled' in a special abrasive media so that they continually rub against each other and the abrasive stones. After some time the plates will have been polished and all the sharp edges will have been removed which ultimately will result in much longer wear strip life.