INTRODUCTION TO TSUBAKI ATTACHMENT CHAINIn the world of attachment chain TSUBAKI is the manufacturer you require to assuresmooth operation. Whether your application requires either attachments or extendedpins in Carbon Steel, N.E.P., Nickel Plated or Stainless Steel, TSUBAKI is your partner.TSUBAKI’s maintenance free solution, LAMBDA, is also available with a wide rangeof attachment varieties. If starting with a completely new design, TSUBAKI will tailormake an attachment chain in any specification at the customer’s request.Attachment <strong>Chain</strong> StructurePress FitPin LinkOffset Link PinPress FitBushRollerPress FitConnecting Link PinPress FitBushRollerRoller Link PlateRoller LinkSpring ClipPin Link PlateSlip FitCotter PinOffset Link Connecting Link Base <strong>Chain</strong>Attachment <strong>Chain</strong> StructureThere are mainly two types of Attachment <strong>Chain</strong>: Single Pitch andDouble Pitch.1. Single Pitch Attachment <strong>Chain</strong>Single pitch attachment chain is based on roller chain withattachments added to make them suitable for conveyor uses. Dueto the smaller chain pitch, this type of chain is ideal for short centredistances, and the conveying of small and light goods. Single pitchattachment chain has smooth transfer and low noise characte risticsand can be used at relatively medium conveying speeds. Standardroller chain sprockets can be used in most cases.Fig. 12 Single Pitch Attachment <strong>Chain</strong>24 Innovation in Motion
INTRODUCTION TO TSUBAKI ATTACHMENT CHAIN2. Double Pitch Attachment <strong>Chain</strong>This is the most commonly used attachment chain and is utilisedwidely in the automotive parts, electric, electronic, and precisionmachinery industries. Double pitch roller chain has the samebasic construction as single pitch roller chain, but is twice thepitch length. A major benefit being that whilst larger conveyorlengths are possible, due to it being double pitch it uses only halfthe components compared to a single pitch chain used in thesame application, resulting in less components to wear. This seriesconforms to the ANSI B29.4, ISO 1275-A, and JIS B 1803standards.The choice of sprockets depends on the roller type applied to thechain. <strong>Chain</strong> with S type rollers can be driven by standard rollerchain sprockets (> 30 teeth). The chain engages every secondtooth. Special sprockets are needed when R-type rollers are used.RollerThe roller is subject to impact load as it mates with the sprockettooth during engagement of the chain with the sprocket. Afterengagement, the roller changes its point of contact and balance.It is held between the sprocket tooth and bush, and moves on thetooth face whilst receiving a compression load. Therefore, it mustbe resistant to wear and still have strength against shock, fatigueand compression.There are two types of rollers for Double Pitch Attachment chain:S roller (standard) and R roller (oversized). The S rollers are usedin short-length and slow-speed conveying. The R rollers are mostcommonly used, especially for longer conveyors.(Please note, RS35 is a bush chain and does not have rollers).Roller LinkTwo bushes are press fit into two roller link plates and rollers areinserted to allow rotation around the outside of the bushesduring operation. This is the same for single and for multi strandchains.Pin LinkThe pin link consists of two pins that have been press fit into twopin link plates.Fig. 13 Double Pitch Attachment <strong>Chain</strong>3. Three Basic DimensionsPitch, Roller Diameter and Inner Width are known as the “ThreeBasic Dimensions of Roller <strong>Chain</strong>.” When these three dimensionsare identical to the existing chain being replaced, then the rollerchain and sprockets are dimensionally compatible. With attachmentchain a lot of additional dimensions are important to ensurea safe replacement or carefree installation of the chain. Please referto our dimension tables for the appropriate dimensions.4. Basic PartsLink PlateThe link plate is the component that bears the tension placed onthe chain. Usually this is a repeated load, sometimes accompaniedby shock. Therefore, the plate must not only have greatstatic tensile strength, it must also hold up to the dynamic forcesof load and shock.PinThe pin is subject to shearing and bending forces transmitted bythe plate. At the same time, it forms a load-bearing part (togetherwith the bush) when the chain flexes during sprocket engagement.Therefore, the pin needs high tensile and shear strength,resistance to bending, and must also have sufficient enduranceagainst shock and wear.Spring Clip and Cotter PinThe spring clip prevent the link plate from becoming detached,with the cotter pin type being as an added security measurewhere there is as possibly of the clip being removed due tointerference from chain guides or some other aspect of theapplication.5. Assembly PartsRoller chains are usually made up of a number of inner and outerlinks in an endless formation. Although offset links can be usedwhen there is an odd number of links in the roller chain, it isbetter to use a design that requires an even number of links, thuseliminating the use of offset links.Connecting LinksThere are two types of connecting links: spring clip connectinglink and cotter pin connecting link. It’s common to use slip fitspring clip connecting links for small size roller chains. Cotter pinconnecting links are used for large size roller chains and oncustomer request.Offset LinksAn offset link is used when an odd number of chain links isrequired. The pin and two plates are slip fit. The fatigue strengthis 35% lower than the chain itself.BushThe bush is subject to complex forces from all parts, especiallyfrom the repetition of shock loads when the chain engages withthe sprocket. Therefore, the bush needs extremely high shockresistance. In addition, the bush forms a load-bearing parttogether with the pin and as such requires great wear resistance.Innovation in Motion 25