Small size conveyor chain

Small size conveyor chains are roller chains or double pitch chains with added attachments for small conveying applications.
Attachments are available in a wide range of variations and can be fitted with further slats, bars and special jigs to convey any shape of material.
Engagement drive makes it no slippage and has a wide operating range to conveyor length, conveying direction and ambient conditions.

Features and Points of Caution regarding Chain Conveyors

  • ・Can convey items of almost any shape.
  • ・A wide array of options available in terms of conveyor length, direction of conveyance, and ambient conditions.
  • ・No slippage, allowing for accurate conveyance.
  • ・Extremely durable and highly efficient.

【Points of Caution 】

  • *While one positive point for chain conveyors is that there is no slippage, care needs to be taken during selection in applications with impacts.
  • *Since it is a engagement mechanism between the chain and the sprocket, there is a speed fluctuation due to its characteristics.

Small Size Conveyor Chain Types and Structure

Double Pitch Chains

  • ・Has double the pitch of RS Attachment Chain with a flat plate contour.
  • ・Can use R or S rollers, allowing for use in various applications.
  • ・Double Pitch type sprocket or RS sprocket (when the number of teeth is 30 or more with S roller) can be used.
  • ・Suitable for relatively long distance and low speed conveyance.
Double Pitch chain structure diagram
[Click to enlarge ]

RS Attachment Chains

  • ・This chain has an attachment attached to RS Roller Chain (for drive).
  • ・Since the chain pitch is small, small articles can be conveyed at a small pitch, which is generally suitable for short distance conveyance.
  • ・High-speed, smooth, and quiet operation is possible.
  • ・In most cases, RS sprockets can be used.
Attachment chain structure diagram
[Click to enlarge ]

See more about components and their roles

1.Plate 2.Pin
Parts photo The plate bears the tension placed on the chain. Because the accuracy of the holes into which pins or bushes are press fitted affects chain quality, plates are manufactured with particular precision and finished into tough plates with high fatigue strength and impact resistance. Parts photo The two ends of the pin are press fitted to holes in the outer plates and riveted in place. (For Hollow Pin Chain and Poly Steel Chain, they are press fitted only.) Because the pins are subject to shearing and bending forces via the plates, and because the bushes rotate and slide along the pins as the chain articulates, they are manufactured with an emphasis on strength and wear resistance.
3.Bush 4.Roller
Parts photo The two ends of the bushes are press fitted to the inner plate and function as bearings for the pins and rollers. They are subject to complex forces through the various parts, and are finished to specifications having high wear resistance. Parts photo Rollers are slip fit onto the bushes and reduce mechanical shock when the chain engages the sprocket. In addition, they serve to reduce running resistance by turning when the chain is in motion, making the chain run smoothly. Wear resistance is important.
5.Attachments 6.Spring Clip/Cotter Pin
Parts photo Bolt holes are drilled for attachments. For details, see page of Standard Attachments. Parts photo Spring clips and cotter pins prevent the connecting plates from detaching and are important components to maintain the intrinsic strength of the chain. Always install these parts.
7.Inner link 8.Outer link
Parts photo The ends of the two bushes are press fitted to the inner plate to form the inner link. Rollers are slip fit over the outside of the bushes. Parts photo The ends of the two pins are press fitted to the outer plates. The ends of the pins other than those on connecting links are riveted in place to prevent detachment. (For Hollow Pin Chain and Poly Steel Chain, they are press fitted only.)
Three basic dimensions Slip fit Press fit
The pitch, roller diameter, and inner width of the inner link are referred to as the three basic dimensions of roller chain. When these dimensions are identical, a roller chain and sprocket are dimensionally compatible. This will always fit with a clearance when the shafts and holes are fitted together. The hole tolerance range is larger than that of the shaft (pin or bush). With this type of fit there is continuous interference when the shafts and holes are fitted together. The hole tolerance range is completely under the shaft (pin or bush) tolerance range.

See more about standard attachment types

Attachment Types

A attachments

A attachments

This attachment has holes and is attached on one side of the chain.
A1:1 hole  A2:2 holes (※Only one hole available for RS Chain. )

[Photo :A1 attachments spaced every link ]

SA attachments

SA attachments

This vertical attachment has holes and is attached on one side of the chain.
SA1:1 hole  SA2:2 holes (※Only one hole available for RS Chain. )

[Photo :SA2 attachments spaced every link ]

K attachments

K attachments

This attachment has holes and is attached on both sides of the chain.
K1:1 hole  K2:2 holes (※Only one hole available for RS Chain. )

[Photo :K1 attachments spaced every link ]

SK attachments

SK attachments

This vertical attachment has holes and is attached on both sides of the chain.
SK1:1 hole  SK2:2 holes (※Only one hole available for RS Chain. )

[Photo :SK2 attachments spaced every link ]

AA attachments

AA attachments

This attachment has holes on both the top and bottom of the chain, and is attached on one side.
AA1:1 hole  AA2:2 holes (※Only one hole available for RS Chain. )

[Photo :AA1 attachments spaced every link ]

WA attachments

WA attachments

This wide attachment has holes and is attached on one side of the chain.
WA1:1 hole  WA2:2 holes

[Photo :WA1 attachments spaced every other link ]

KK attachments

KK attachments

This attachment has holes on both the top and bottom of the chain, and is attached on both sides.
KK1:1 hole  KK2:2 holes (※Only one hole available for RS Chain. )

[Photo :KK1 attachments spaced every link ]

WK Attachments

WK Attachments

This wide attachment has holes and is attached on both sides of the chain.
WK1: 1 hole  WK2:2 holes

[Photo :WK1 attachments spaced every other link ]

EP attachments

EP attachments

One end of the pins is extended on one side of the chain.

[Photo :EP attachments spaced every link ]

GNK attachments

GNK attachments

Chain with holes in the plates on both sides. (Available only for S rollers on Double Pitch Chains.)

[Photo :GNK1 attachments spaced every link ]

Note )WA, WK:WA and WK attachments cannot be attached to every link of RS Chain.

Formation

While attachments can be spaced more than every link, when attaching to an even number of links we will attach them to outer links where maintenance is easier.

Special Attachment Chain

Tsubaki offers a complete line-up of attachments to match any need.

Small Size Conveyor Chain Product Line-up

Uses needle bearings between pins and bushes to minimize pitch elongation as much as possible.

Perfect for conveyors required positioning.

Bearing Bush chain with a needle (made of steel) inserted between pin and bush, Bearing Cage chain with a needle cage (cage made of engineering plastic) inserted, Indexing Table chain with a needle bearing (made of steel) inserted in the bearing portion/outboard rollers/guide rollers, and Mini Tact chain with steel needle bearings ensure accurate tact operation by minimizing wear elongation as much as possible.

Bearing Bush Chains

Bearing Bush Chain NB (Standard) Series

Model No.  RF2□□□R-NB~

View product details

Uses steel needles between pins and bushes. Base chain is steel (plates are nickel plated).

  • ・Virtually no chain wear elongation after initial elongation (0.02%) following start of operation.
  • ・A wealth of custom configurations is available to meet your needs.
  • ・Can use RF Double Pitch Sprockets for R rollers.
  • ・Operating Temperature Range :-10℃~150℃
Size

RF2040~RF2080

Attachment Types

A2, K2

Bearing Bush Chain NBH (High Precision) Series

Model No.  RF2□□□R-NBH~

View product details

Top surfaces of attachments are ground smooth, and sace between bushes and rollers is smaller.

  • ・Virtually no chain wear elongation after initial elongation (0.02%) following start of operation.
  • ・Top surfaces of attachments are ground, reducing the amount of deviation in height between adjacent plates.
  • ・Pin - bush clearance is half that of Standard Series, minimizing play when engaging the sprocket.
  • ・Can use RF Double Pitch Sprockets for R rollers.
  • ・Operating Temperature Range :-10℃~150℃
Size

RF2040~RF2080

Attachment Types

A2, K2

Bearing Bush Chain NBSS (Stainless Steel) Series

Model No.  RF2□□□R-NBSS~

View product details

All parts except the needles are 18-8SUS(SUS304 equivalent) stainless steel. Bearings are sealed.

  • ・Wear elongation is extremely low at just 0.06% after 10 7 cycles.
  • ・All parts except the needles are stainless steel. Bearings are sealed to allow use in contact with water.
  • ・A wealth of custom configurations is available to meet your needs.
  • ・Operating Temperature Range :-10℃~60℃
  • ・Can use RF Double Pitch Sprockets for R rollers.
Size

RF2040~RF2080

Attachment Types

A2, K2

Bearing Cage Chains

Bearing Cage Chains

Model No.  RF2□□□R-NC~

View product details

Uses a needle bearing cage (of engineering plastic) between the pin and bush.

  • ・Will not elongate further after slight initial elongation (0.03%) during first use.
  • ・The base chain is steel. More affordable than NB bearing bush chain.
  • ・Operating Temperature Range :-10℃~60℃
  • ・Can use RF Double Pitch Sprockets for R rollers.
Size

RF2040~RF2080

Attachment Types

A2, K2

Indexing Table Chain

Indexing Table Chain

Model No.  BC□□□D/S□□~

View product details

Uses needle bearings in the bearing portion, and use steel bearing for outboard rollers and guide rollers.

  • ・Virtually no chain wear elongation after initial elongation (0.01%) following start of operation.
  • ・A chain pitch accuracy of ±0.05mm allows for high precision positioning.
  • ・The base chain is steel with a black oxide coating.
  • ・Operating Temperature Range :-10℃~60℃
  • ・Requires an indexing table chain sprocket.
Size

BC050~BC150

Mini Tact Chain

Mini Tact Chain

Model No.  BCM12.5-9, BCM15-9

View product details

Uses steel needle bearings in the bearings.

  • ・Virtually no chain wear elongation after initial elongation (0.01%) following start of operation.
  • ・Chain pitch accuracy is ±0.05mm, and chain pitch is small, making it perfect for high precision positioning of small work.
  • ・Uses lightweight aluminum for the inner block, enabling compact drives and designs.
  • ・Operating Temperature Range :10℃~40℃
  • ・Requires a sprocket for Mini Tact Chains.
Size

BCM12.5-9,BCM15-9 

Attachment Types

Please contact Tsubaki representatives.