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Chain drives are widely used in industrial settings throughout the world. Knowing the advantages and disadvantages of chain drives and how to properly maintain them can help you to keep them running as intended. Chain drives consist of a series of chain links which mesh with toothed sprockets. Chain Sprockets are locked on the shafts of the driving and driven machinery. Chain drives provide a positive form of power transmission. The links of the chain mesh with teeth of the sprockets and this action maintains a positive speed ratio between the driver and driven sprockets.

Chain Drive Advantages:

• Chain drives, unlike belt drives, do not slip or creep.
• There is no power loss due to slippage. This makes them more efficient than belt drives.
• Chain drives are more compact than belt drives.
• Chain drives are a better choice for slow speed drives.
• Chains can operate effectively at high temperatures.
• Chains do not deteriorate due to oil, grease, exposure to sunlight or age.
• Chains typically withstand chemicals and abrasive conditions better than belts in belt drives.
• Chains can operate in wet conditions.
• Chain drives are effective when several shafts are to be driven from a single shaft, as precise timing between the driven shafts is usually required.
• Chain stretch, due to normal wear, is a slow process.
• Chains require less take-up adjustment than belts.

Chain drive Disadvantages:

• Chains cannot be used where the drive must slip.
• Chain drives cannot accept much misalignment.
• Chain drives need frequent lubrication.
• Chain drives are noisy and can cause vibration.
• Chain drives do not have the load capacities of gear drives.

Download our 5-Step Sprocket Alignment Procedure – a simple and effective procedure for sprocket alignment of chain-driven equipment!

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