Roller Chain/Sprocket Identifying and Correcting Problems

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Attachment	Cutting and Joining	Lubrication (Oiling)
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Maintainance and Inspection	Identifying and Correcting Problems	Selection of Transmission Roller Chain
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Identifying and Correcting Problems

Problem	Potential cause	Solution
Pin or Bushing Galling	･Overload ･Inadequate lubrication	･Properly lubricate ･Replace chain when elongation exceed functional limits
Turned Pins	･Overload ･Inadequate lubrication	･Replace chain as soon as possible
Excessive Noise	･Too little or too much slack ･Chain obstruction ･Loose chain guard or bearing	･Adjust centers or take-up ･Inspect & remove obstruction ･Tighten bolts and check bearings
Chain Vibration	･Excessive chain slack ･Center distance too long ･Stiff links	･Adjust chain tension ･Install idler ･Lubricate or replace chain
Wear on inside of link plate and one side of sprocket teeth	･Misalignment	･Realign sprockets and shafts ･Replace chain and sprockets if necessary
Chain stiffens	･Excessive load ･Misalignment ･Inadequate lubrication ･Corrosion	･Replace chain with of suitable strength ･Inspect alignment ･Clean and establish correct lubrication ･Replace with corrosion resistant chain
Chain climbs sprockets	･Excessive chain wear ･Excessive chain slack ･Inadequate lubrication ･Sprocket tooth wear	･Replace chain ･Install tension if necessary ･Replace sprocket
Chain twine about sprocket	･Center distance too long ･Chain elongation by wear ･Sprocket wear or distortion	･Install idler ･Replace chain ･Replace sprocket
Broken Pins	･Extreme overload	･Inspect the drive to determine the cause of high load ･Redesign drive using a higher capacity chain
Broken Pins (center)	･Loading is greater than pins dynamic capacity	･Inspect the drive to determine the cause of high load ･Redesign drive using a higher capacity chain
Broken offset links pins	･Overload	･One pitch offset links are not recommended ･Redesign drive using a higher capacity chain
Fatigue Failure	･Loading is greater than chain's dynamic capacity	･Inspect the drive to determine the cause of high load ･Redesign drive using a higher capacity chain
Cracking	･Stress corrosion cracking	･Protect the chain from corrosion ･Install anti-corrosive chains
Broken Rollers	･Foreign material between chain and sprocket ･Fatigue failure	･Redesign chain speed and load ･Shield drive from foreign material
Worn Plates	･Bottom of plates worn due to rubbing on guides	･Chain should be replaced when wear became over 5% of the plates height
Fractured plate	･Extreme overload	･Inspect the drive to determine the cause of high load ･Redesign drive using a higher capacity chain