Some industrial production environments are very harsh, such as brick factories, cement manufacturing, all kinds of agricultural and construction machinery, they rely on transmission chains to make the machinery work.
Unfortunately, poor operating conditions, heavy loads, wear, dust, and debris can increase the pressure on the chain to operate, leading to a higher risk of failure. Once the chain fails, the entire production will be shut down, and replacing the chain can take hours or even days, sometimes causing irreparable effects.
In fact, the chain failure problem can be easily avoided. Let's learn how to protect your chain from three common failures.
1.Avoid low-end materialsIf a chain wears out quickly, it often has a lot to do with the quality of the steel used in its production. If the quality of steel is unstable, it is difficult for heat treatment to make it reach the required wear resistance level. However, most of these problems are not visible on the surface, so such quality problems are difficult to detect.
Solution "Price" may be one of the indicators to judge the quality of the chain:
If the chain is sold at a very low price, there is a good chance that inferior steel is used.
When you specify a chain, pay attention to the manufacturer and his reputation. How long have they been producing chains? How do they make sure the steel is consistent? And what about his clients?
Reputable manufacturers use precision manufacturing techniques and materials that meet strict quality standards and are free from defects and impurities. This helps to optimize reliability as well as longer service life and lower operating costs.
2.Consider maintenance requirements
Dust, debris, and other particles increase the risk of breakage by grinding the chain.
Subjected to additional stress, chains require regular maintenance and replacement, but location and operating conditions can make it a time consuming and expensive process. However, chains that are not maintained will be affected by the environment and may quickly fail.
Solution
Choose a chain suitable for harsh environments:
The risk of unplanned outages is greatly reduced by choosing a chain suitable for harsh environments. Leading manufacturers will reduce the wear and tear of chain parts through the plating of the chain.
A better designed chain will also limit the entry of debris into the chain and reduce damage.
3.For high loads
Many harsh industrial applications require chains to be able to withstand heavy loads, which increases wear on parts, especially pins.
Extreme load conditions cause high supporting pressures, which can cause them to wear out quickly.
The increased radial clearance between the pin and the bushing makes it easy for abrasive material to enter the joint.
In addition, the outer diameter of the pin and sleeve is reduced, so is the surface hardness and depth, making them less wear-resistant and more susceptible to damage.
This greatly shortens the wear life and increases the risk of failure.
Solution
Check the load or application environment of the chain:
To avoid expensive alternatives and downtime, you need to check that the chain you choose can handle heavy loads or was developed specifically for such an application environment. This means that all parts of the chain, including the pins, are designed by the manufacturer to be able to cope with challenges and require additional finishes if necessary.
