{"id":11958,"date":"2021-12-08T14:12:39","date_gmt":"2021-12-08T12:12:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fractory.com\/?p=11958"},"modified":"2024-01-26T14:11:37","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T12:11:37","slug":"chain-drives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fractory.com\/chain-drives\/","title":{"rendered":"Chain Drives & Types of Chains"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chain drives are most commonly used to transmit power between two components that are at a greater distance, but they may also be used for short distances. They are one of the five most frequently used mechanical power transmission methods alongside shaft couplings<\/a>, gear drives, belt drives and lead screws<\/a>. Each method has several advantages and disadvantages over others, which means engineers must be careful before making the final selection.<\/p>\n

In this article, we’ll take a look at chain drives and their various types. They are a crucial part of many machines and they can also be used in applications other than just transmitting power, but more on that later. Let’s start from the beginning.<\/p>\n

What Is a Chain Drive?<\/h2>\n

Chain drive is a type of mechanical power transmission<\/a> system that uses chains to transfer power from one place to another. A conventional chain drive consists of two or more sprockets and the chain itself. The holes in the chain links fit over the sprocket teeth.<\/p>\n

When the prime mover rotates, the chain wrapped on the shaft’s sprocket rotates with it. This applies mechanical force onto the driven shaft, transmitting mechanical power in the process.<\/p>\n

One of the main advantages over a belt drive is that a chain drive maintains a constant speed ratio<\/strong>, thanks to its zero slip feature. There is no lag in power transfer and hence, it serves as a timing chain in applications such as internal combustion engines<\/a>. Having no slippage also ensures high mechanical efficiency. The only losses in a chain drive are due to friction between the chain links and the sprocket.<\/p>\n

Compared to gears, chain drives are way more versatile when it comes to operating distances. They come into play when shafts are separated at distances greater than that for which gears are practical. Chain drives are efficient at varying distances while still keeping the setup rather compact. They’re found in short-distance applications such as bicycles and long-distance applications such as 5-storey high marine engines. A single chain can power multiple shafts at a time.<\/p>\n

Types of Chain Drives<\/h2>\n

There’s a wide variety of different chain drive designs developed due to finding use <\/u>in many different mechanical applications. They can be classified into various categories depending on what we choose as a yardstick. When classifying based on their function, chain drives can be divided into three main types.<\/p>\n