Abrasive dust particles infiltrate chain links and cause corrosion which leads to elongation and eventual failure
Tsubaki has shown that its BS chain GT4 Winner offers 45 per cent less elongation than competitor products in such environments.
One company found that the roller chain it used to drive its conveyors tended to have exceptionally short service periods before replacement was required.
Standard 16B chain was used to reduce purchasing costs, but the regular downtime and maintenance requirements meant that the total cost of ownership (TCO) remained high. It was decided that a solution was required which would last longer.
Tsubaki was approached to provide a solution. It suggested its latest BS/DIN European premium chain GT4 Winner would last significantly longer than other premium chains on the market. Key features are:
1: Lube-grooved (LG) bushes hold oil at the point of contact that provides an internal reservoir for lubricant where the chain needs it most.
2: Seamless and perfectly cylindrical bushes result in both better contact between the pin and bush and improved lubricant retention.
3: Centre sink rivets - for easy disassembly - which are designed with markings to identify pin rotations caused by chain overloading.
4: Ring Coined connection links allow the chain to be specified up to its full kW rating; unlike the typical standard slip-fit connecting links used by competitors which are usually much weaker than the base chain.
Tsubaki offered to run a KG test to validate its claims and provide an accurate comparison between the GT4 Winner and other chains on the market.
KG test
The KG test was invented by Koos Geskus as a method for testing different chains in an equal environment; it is one of the most effective ways of creating equal circumstances and ensuring a fair comparison between different chain types. A single length of chain is created using two or three lengths of different chain. It is then left to run in-the-field for a
pre-determined amount of time; the chains are then separated and re-measured to find the amount of elongation. Tsubaki advises replacement of a chain once elongation reaches 1.5 per cent.
The benefit of the KG test over other chain comparison tests is that the chain is tested in real-life applications rather than a test facility. Therefore they are subjected to the rigours of the industry that they will perform in and the results give a true indication of wear life.