Chain Conveyor Systems

Similar to a Chute Conveyor, Wheel Conveyor, and Roller Conveyor, a Chain Conveyor is another transport equipment designed to move material efficiently from one location to another. The big difference is that a Chain Conveyor is not based on gravity, but on mechanics and electricity.

Some applications where a Chain Conveyor is relevant are the following:

• Asphalt Conveyor Chain
• Bakery Chain
• Cement Conveyor Chain
• Crawler cranes
• Escalator Step Chains
• Heavy duty conveying applications
• Leisure industry (roller coasters)
• Coal mining and quarrying
• Oilfield Chain
• Palm Oil Chain
• Road pavers
• Sugar Mill Chain
• Water Industry / Sewage Treatment

Chain Conveyor Design

The precision conveyor chain, like transmission chain, consists of a series of journal bearings held in precise relationship to each other by constraining link plates.

Each bearing consists of a bearing pin and bush on which the chain roller revolves. The bearing pin and bush are case-hardened to allow articulation under high pressures, and to contend with the load carrying pressure and gearing action imparted via the chain rollers.

There is, for each strength of conveyor chain, a range of pitches; the minimum pitch being governed by the need for adequate wheel tooth strength; the maximum pitch being normally dictated by plate and general chain rigidity. When required, the normal maximum pitch can be exceeded by the use of strengthening bushes between the link plates, and suitable gaps to clear the bushes must be provided in the wheel teeth.

Ideally,

• Unit + In-/On-Floor + No Accumulate
• Uses one or more endless chains on which loads are carried directly
• Parallel chain configuration used to transport pallets
• Vertical chain conveyor used for continuous high-frequency vertical transfers (cf. vertical conveyor used for low-frequency intermittent transfers)

Below is a video showing a Chain Conveyor: