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!

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

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.

 Problem: Unusual noise.

Problem: Chain is vibrating excessively.

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

Problem: Chain is rusting.

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

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

Problem: Improper bending of chain and tight joints.  

Problem: Spreading of link plates.