ME 425

M A C H I N E
D E S I G N 2
B Y E N G R . D E N N IS E . G A N A S
 CHAIN DRIVES

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 CHAIN DRIVES
 Chain drives are mechanical systems used to transfer power between rotating shafts
by means of a chain and sprockets.
 They are commonly used in various industries and machines, including bicycles,
motorcycles, conveyor systems, and industrial equipment, where they provide
efficient and reliable power transmission.
 Chain drives are desirable at low to moderate speeds, high torque applications and
usually at lower speed stage of a power transmission system

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 BELT vs CHAIN DRIVE

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 ADVANTAGES OF CHAIN DRIVE
High Efficiency: Chain drives can achieve efficiencies of up to 98%, depending on the
load and speed.
Durability and Strength: Chains are designed to withstand high loads, making them
suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Speed Ratios: Chain drives offer flexibility in speed ratios by varying the sizes of the
sprockets.
Cost-Effective: Chains are generally more affordable and easier to replace compared
to other mechanical drives like belts or gears.
Temperature and Environment Resistant: Chains can operate under extreme
conditions, including high temperatures and harsh environments.

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 DISADVANTAGES OF CHAIN DRIVE
Noise and Vibration: Chain drives tend to be noisier than other systems, such as belt
drives, due to metal-to-metal contact.
Need for Lubrication: Chains require regular lubrication to reduce friction and prevent
wear.
Alignment Sensitivity: Misalignment of sprockets can lead to increased wear and
reduced efficiency.
Space Requirements: Chain drives require sufficient space for installation due to the
size of the chain and sprockets

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 TYPES OF CHAINS
1. Roller Chain
 the most commonly used chains for power transmission in mechanical systems
 they consist of a series of interconnected metal links, each featuring small
cylindrical rollers that reduce friction as the chain moves over sprockets.
 the rollers roll directly on the sprocket teeth, which enhances efficiency, reduces
wear, and allows the chain to run smoothly at various speeds and loads
 can be single strand or multiple strand (double or more)
Components of a Roller Chain
 Rollers (5): small cylindrical parts that roll on the
sprocket teeth, minimizing friction
 Inner Plates (1): hold the bushings that support the
rollers
 Outer Plates (2): hold the pins that connect to the
inner plate
 Bushings (4): hollow cylinders that connect the
inner plates and provide support to the rollers
 Pins (3): the pins connect the inner and outer
plates and hold the chain together, allowing
flexibility and movement

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 TYPES OF CHAINS
a. Silent or Inverted Tooth Chain

2. Silent or Inverted Tooth Chain

 silent chains operate more smoothly and are quieter than conventional roller
chains
 made from a series of toothed link plates pinned together across the width of
chain to permit articulation
 the teeth of links may have straight-sided or involute profiles
 power is transmitted through engagement of chain teeth with sprocket teeth
 compared with roller chains, silent chains can operate at higher speeds and
carry greater loads, but are more expensive and heavier

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 TYPES OF CHAINS
a. Silent or Inverted Tooth Chain

3. Leaf Chain
 is the most simple of steel chains, consisting only of link
plates and pins
 has greater tensile strength than roller chains and runs
over sheaves rather than sprockets
 suitable for hanging, balancing or motion transmitting
applications
 often used as counterweight chains for machine tools,
elevator and oven doors, fork lift truck masts, spinning
frames and similar lifting or balancing applications

4. Drag Chains
 heavy-duty chains, typically made of steel, with
attachments or paddles that extend across the
conveyor's width to push or pull materials along
 commonly used in conveying systems

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 TYPES OF CHAINS
a. Silent or Inverted Tooth Chain

5. Flat Top Chains

 flat-top chains have a smooth, flat surface on top, ideal for conveying bottles,
cans, or boxes
 they are typically constructed from plastic or stainless steel
 used in food processing, packaging lines, and bottling plants

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 LUBRICATION
PURPOSE OF CHAIN LUBRICATION
Effective lubrication aids chain performance and life in several ways:
1. Resist wear between the pin and bushing surfaces
2. Flush away wear debris and foreign materials
3. Lubricate the chain-sprocket contact surfaces
4. Dissipate heat
5. Cushion impact loads
6. Retard rust and corrosion

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 TYPES OF LUBRICATION
TYPE A (or TYPE 1)
 Manual. Oil is manually applied periodically with a brush or
spout can. The time period between applications is often 8
hours, but it may be longer if this is proven adequate for the
particular conditions.
 Drip. Oil is dripped between the link plate edges from a
lubricator with a reservoir. Rates range from 4 to 20 drops per
minute; 10 drops per minute is equal to about one ounce per
hour.

TYPE B (or TYPE 2)

 Oil Bath. A short section of chain runs through the oil in the
sump of a chain casing. The oil level should not be higher
than the pitch line of the chain at its lowest point in operation.

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 TYPES OF LUBRICATION
TYPE B (or TYPE 2)
 Slinger Disk. The chain runs above the oil level while a
disk on one shaft picks up oil from the sump and slings it
against a collector plate. The oil is then directed into a
trough which applies it to the upper edges of the chain link
plates in the lower span of the chain.

TYPE C (or TYPE 3)

 Oil Stream. A pump sends a stream or spray of oil under
pressure onto the chain. The oil must be applied evenly
across the entire width of the chain, and it must be
directed onto the lower span from the inside of the chain
loop.

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Metric Roller Chain Sizes And Strength Ratings

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 Metric Roller Chain Sizes And Strength Ratings

*Pitch is the measurement from the center of one pin to the center of the next pin in line.

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DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR CHAIN DRIVES

The minimum recommended number of teeth on the small sprocket is

Slow speed 12 teeth
Medium speed 17 teeth
High speed 25 teeth

It is preferable to have an odd number or, better yet, prime number of

teeth on sprockets and an even number of links in the chain – for
even distribution of wear and prolonged chain life!

𝐷
Recommended Minimum Center Distance = 𝐷2 + 21
Recommended Center Distance = 30-50 pitches
Recommended Maximum Center Distance = 80 pitches

An even number of links is recommended to avoid an offset link!

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 DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR CHAIN DRIVES

N2 = no. of teeth (big sprocket)

N1 = no. of teeth (small sprocket)
CD = center distance in pitches

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SERVICE FACTORS FOR CHAIN DRIVES

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 HP Ratings for Chain No. 40

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 HP Ratings for Chain No. 60

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 HP Ratings for Chain No. 80

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 SELECTION GUIDE
Reference Recommendation
1. Specify a service factor and Table 17-4
compute the design power.
2. Compute the speed ratio. SR = N1/N2 Maximum of 7.0.
3. Select the type of chain and Table 7-14, 7-15 and 7-16 Small pitch chain - for a light load
pitch. and high-speed chain drive;
Large pitch chain - for heavy load
and low-speed chain drive.
4. Specify the number of teeth of Table 7-14, 7-15 and 7-16 Minimum recommended:
drive sprocket. (use odd number!) Slow speed - 12 teeth
Medium speed - 17 teeth
High speed - 25 teeth
5. Determine the type of Table 7-14, 7-15 and 7-16
lubrication.
6. Compute for no. of teeth for SR = N1/N2 Use odd number. (ex. 63.4  63;
larger sprocket. 24.2  25)
6.a output speed n1N1 = n2N2 Should not exceed 120 teeth.
7. Calculate the pitch diameters 𝑝
𝑃𝐷 =
of the sprockets. 180𝑜
sin
𝑁

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 SELECTION GUIDE
Reference Recommendation
7. Determine initial center Between 30-50 pitches (use 40
distance. pitches) or
Use mininum 𝐶 = 𝐷2 + 𝐷1 /2
Maximum is 80 pitches.
8. Compute the required Use even number (ex. 125.2 
chain length in pitches. 126 or 122.6  122)
9. Compute the actual center
distance (from no. 8)

10. Compute the angle of

wraps for small sprockets and Should be greater than 120o.
big sprocket
11. Make a summary of the
design.

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 EXAMPLES

See Example 7-5, pages 286-289

& Example 7-6, pages 289-290

 M o t t e t a l . , M a c h i n e E l e m e n t s i n
M a c h i n e D e s i g n 6 th E d .

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 ASSIGNMENT

D U E : N o v e m b e r 1 3 , 2 0 2 4 ( W e d n e s d a y )

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B Y E N G R . D E N N IS E . G A N A S ME 425