Curved Lambda chain

Product photo
  • Lube-free roller chain with large lateral bending.
  • Lambda chain with a unique pin-bush construction and wider clearance between plates for large lateral bending.

Features

  • ・Enables easy curved drive

    Uses RS Sprockets for easy curved drive.

  • ・Long life, lube free

    Special oil-impregnated bushes give Curved Lambda Chain long life, even with no additional lubrication.

  • ・Used the compliant lubrication to NSF H1. It also can be used on food machinery.

    *NSF H1 is the standard regulated by NSF. This is "Lubricant ingredients are safe in the event of incidental food contact." oil.

  • ・Operating temperature

    -10ºC to 150ºC

  • ・Basic construction

    Drive Chain (Roller Chain) structure diagram

    ※The thickness of the inner plate is increased by one size to ensure strength such as tensile strength.
    Thus, pins are longer than with the RS Roller Chain, so interference with equipment should be checked.

When selecting sprocket specifications

It is necessary to select a sprocket specification that corresponds to the customer's operating environment and the chain specification used.

Please use standard RS steel sprockets for Curved Lambda chain.

Click here for the chain/sprocket compatibility table.

Catalogs ・Instruction Manuals

List of Models

※Click the name for more information.

Pitch
mm
No. of strands Size & Specification & No. of strands Roller dia.
mm
Inner link inner width
mm
12.70 1 RS40-LMCCU-1 7.92 7.95
15.875 1 RS50-LMCCU-1 10.16 9.53
19.05 1 RS60-LMCCU-1 11.91 12.70

Point of cautions when considering and adopting Lambda chains

  • 1. Preventing contamination Lambda Chains have special nickel-plated pins and plates with black oxide treatment. Surface-treated Lambda Chains have different surface treatments for each series. Do not use Lambda Chain if the chain will come in direct contact with food, or where coating flakes or wear dust may contaminate food.
    In non-food applications, take measures to prevent entry of foreign matter, for example, installing an appropriate cover when used in environments where coating flakes or wear dust may present a problem.
    Though nickel is not subject to the Japan Food Sanitation Act or the Industrial Safety and Health Act, use the chain with caution.
  • 2. Lubricating oil used on products Depending on usage conditions, the lubricating oil contained in impregnated bushings may spatter.
    Due to manufacturing constraints, Lambda Chain uses certain oils that are not compliant with NSF H1 requirements.
    If a bushing runs out of impregnating oil, it should be quickly re-oiled, leading to a longer wear life.
  • 3. Operating environment If debris or dust is allowed to enter between chain parts, wear elongation may result and the chain may reach the end of its service life prematurely.
    Avoid using chains in a chemical, solvent, or degreasing medium, or in water or under vacuum in a way that may cause the lubricating oil impregnating the bushings to become depleted.
    Lambda Chain is not coated with anti-rust oil. Keep away from hot or humid places, and avoid dusty locations.
  • 4. Double-strand chain Double-strand Lambda Chain and Heavy Duty Lambda Chain (including Surface-treated Series and KF Series) have different transverse pitches compared to RS Roller Chain.
    Use dedicated sprockets instead of RS sprockets.
    RS Double-strand Compatible Lambda Chain has the same transverse pitch as RS Roller Chain. Double-strand RS sprockets may be used.
    Double-strand chains cannot be used together with LMD-2 and LMDS-2 chains, including their connecting components such as connecting links. The entire chain should be replaced and compatible sprockets selected.
  • 5. Checking for interference on the equipment side The length of pins for lube-free chains varies depending on the thickness of the outer and inner plates and the presence or absence of a felt seal.
    Since the pins extend beyond the RS roller chain itself, check for interference with equipment at the time of chain replacement.

Comparison of Wear Life in the High-Temperature Range  (Reference )

A roller chain’s wear life varies depending on the chain speed and load acting on it, the number of teeth on the sprocket, operating conditions and temperature, and so on.
The graphs below provide a rough guide to roller chain wear life.

※Note: Wear life for Lambda Chain is +0.5% elongation.

150℃Range
RS50 Size (in-house test comparison with no additional lubrication )

Wear life graph

230℃Range
RS50 Size (in-house test comparison with no additional lubrication )

Wear life graph
  • Note )1. The operating temperature range for Lambda Chain is -10℃ to 150℃.
  • 2. Chain temperature may rise to be higher than ambient temperature. Make sure that chain temperature does not exceed allowable operating temperature.
  • 3. Kilowatt ratings will drop to 3/4 of the listed catalog values when using in the 150℃ to 200℃ range. Select a chain to match your operating temperature.
  • 4. Kilowatt ratings will drop to 1/2 of the listed catalog values when using in the 200℃ to 230℃ range. Select a chain to match your operating temperature.