On the Move - News

  • Tsubaki Advantage

    Bulk Material Handling Assemblies

    Tsubaki of Canada is a one-stop shop for all your premium chain and sprocket needs. For bulk material handling applications, rely on Tsubaki’s field experience and manufacturing knowledge of drum sprockets and complete shaft assemblies. Whatever design, hub style or construction type you require, Tsubaki can customize the most suitable drum sprocket and assemblies.

    The standard design for most applications

    The standard for most applications are full-face drum sprockets.  It has an increased surface area that results in lower contact pressure between the sprocket and the chain providing greater wearability. For a sprocket that can handle greater misalignment, A-plate drum sprocket could be a perfect alternative, and provide bulk material pass-through. However, less contact area may result in lower life. Optional style with a flange is also offered, where a separate piece is welded to a plate.

    Hub Styles

    Three hub styles are available: Style 1, for bores up to 3-15/16”; Style 2, with double-hub plates for bores greater than 4”. Split Taper bushings are standard for single style hubs; and Style 3, XTB type bushings are recommended for double-hub construction for easy installation.

    Shaft Assembly

    Since replacing shrunk fit components can be costly, we recommend complete shaft assemblies to reduce installation cost. Here are some of the mounting methods offered:

    • Finished bore – Split Fit & Heat Shrunk
    • Split-Taper, Taper-Lock & QD Bushing
    • Split to Bolt
    • Idler Sprockets (Bearing/Urethane/Bronze/Other)
    • Keyless locking (ie: Power-Lock)
    • Bearing Installation

    Construction

    Drum sprockets come in single, double or triple construction. Teeth of the single drum sprocket engage with the chain and provide positive transaction. The can is the main structural member of the drum assembly, which can also be supplied without teeth to create a traction wheel or idler. Double drum sprocket is supplied with a shroud to provide structural rigidity and strength, unless requested by the customer otherwise. On a triple-strand drum assembly or greater, support plates are installed to provide additional strength.

    For any of your customized requirements, contact the experts at Tsubaki!


  • Cost Savings

    Overhead Gantry Crane

    CUSTOMER CHALLENGE

    An Ontario based automotive parts company have had issues with their overhead gantry crane. The previous installation was using a competitor’s plastic cable carrier. It is a long carrier that glides on itself. Due to the length, the links would snap at the bend as it travels causing the cables to pop out of the carrier.  The links were breaking every two to four weeks causing downtime and application issues.  

    TSUBAKI SOLUTION

    After inspecting the issue, Tsubaki recommended a hybrid cable carrier, Varitrak MC. Varitrak MC has a locking bolt mechanism that gives more rigidity to the installation. Aluminum frame stays were also installed for additional strength in avoiding the cables to pop out. To prevent the carrier from breaking, Tsubaki recommended the addition of RKR links that allowed the system some allowance to reverse backwards. When application travel exceeds the self-supporting length of the carrier, Varitrak MC carrier systems are designed to glide on themselves in a guide channel.

    SOLUTION BENEFITS

    By switching to Tsubaki, the application has been running smoothly with no issues for 8 months and counting, saving the customer $4,578.14


  • Tech Time

    Roller Chain and Sprockets Troubleshooting Guide

    Read below for a quick Tsubaki troubleshooting guide for commonly occurring problems with roller chain and sprockets.

    Problem: Chain is riding up on the sprocket.

    Possible Causes:

    • Roller chain and sprockets do not match.
    • Chain load is exceeding limit.
    • Chain elongation caused by wear or worn sprocket teeth.

     

    Tsubaki Solution:

    • Replace chain or sprocket and match with correct size.
    • Reduce load or increase chain strands or chain size to uphold greater load.
    • Replace chain and sprockets with new ones.

     

     

     Problem: Unusual noise.

    Possible Causes:

    • Incorrect installation of the sprocket or shaft.
    • Loose bearings or chain casing.
    • Chain has excessive or insufficient slack.
    • Worn chain or sprocket.
    • Lack of lubrication.

    Tsubaki Solution:

    • Inspect and correct alignment.
       
    • Inspect and tighten all bolts and nuts.
    • Fix distance between shafts for appropriate amount of slack.
    • Replace with new chain and sprocket.
    • Lubricate adequately based on operating environment.


    Problem: Chain is vibrating excessively.

    Possible Causes:

    • Vibrating with external force is caused by a combination of chain speed, tension and distance between drive and driven sprocket.Load fluctuations are excessively large.

     

    Tsubaki Solution:

    • Prevent vibration by two ways:

    a) Change natural frequency of chain.
    Change tension by either applying an initial tension or adjusting existing one. Install tensioner to change chain span. Replace chain size or add multiple strands.

                    b) Change vibration frequency.

    Change sprocket’s rotation speed. Re-evaluate device set-up.

    • Reduce vibrations mechanically.

      • Install a guide shoe.
      • Install a self- adjusting tensioner on slack side.
      • Reduce fluctuations with fluid coupling or similar technique.


     

    Problem: Chain has poor separation from sprocket teeth, resulting into winding into sprocket.

    Possible Causes:

    • Too large of a span between shafts.
    • Too much chain slack.
    • Chain elongation due to chain wear or worn sprocket teeth.

    Tsubaki Solution:

    • Install an Idler.
    • Install a tensioner. Adjust chain length or distance between shafts.
    • Replace with new chain and sprocket.

     

    Problem: Chain is rusting.

    Possible Causes:

    • Environmental factors can cause rust if surface is not protected by appropriate lubricant.

    Tsubaki Solution:

    • Lubrication can reduce friction while also providing a seal against dust, dirt and water. This helps to reduce oxidation and prevent rusting.   

     

    Problem: Inside surface of link plates and sides of sprocket teeth are excessively worn.

    Possible Causes:

    • Chain and sprocket are misaligned.

     

    Tsubaki Solution:

    • Correct installation and alignment of sprocket and shaft.

     

    Problem: Link plate side surfaces and pin heads are excessively worn.

    Possible Causes:

    • Guides are improperly installed.

     

    Tsubaki Solution:

    • Check guide’s condition and increase gap between guides and the chain.

     

    Problem: Improper bending of chain and tight joints.  

    Possible Causes:

    • Chain is incorrectly installed.
    • Contamination caused by dust or dirt.
    • Excessive load or bent in pin.
    • Corrosion or rusting.
    • Lack of proper lubrication
    • Seizing of pin and bushing from high speed operation, leading to improper bending and chain breakage.  

    Tsubaki Solution:

    • Inspect and correct installation.
    • Wash chain separately and lubricate accordingly.
    • Reduce load or increase number of chains or size.
    • Install chain chasing for protection.
    • Replace with anti-corrosion chain
    • Adjust level of lubrication based on operating conditions.
    • Adjust operating conditions (ex. speed, load, lubrication). 

     

     

     

    Problem: Spreading of link plates. 

    Possible Causes:

    • Improper installation is causing uneven or excessive loading.

     

    Tsubaki Solution:

    • Correct installation and replace with new chain.


Browse By ISSUE or STORY

Issue 35

Issue 34

Issue 33

Issue 32

Issue 31

Issue 30

Issue 29

Issue 28

Issue 27

Issue 26

Issue 25

Issue 24

Issue 23

Issue 22

Issue 21

Issue 20

Issue 19

Issue 18

Issue 17

Issue 16

Issue 15

Issue 14

Issue 13

Issue 12

Issue 11

Issue 10

Issue 9

Issue 8

Issue 7

Issue 6

Issue 5

Issue 4

Issue 3

Issue 2

Issue 1

Tsubaki Advantage

Cost Savings

Tech Talk