ExDrill
Mechanical
- Nov 30, 2008
- 15
Hi,
I need as much good advice on Leaf Chain Design as can be mustered. Competitors in my industry are utilising leaf chain as a means of transferring a cylinders push/pull into a lift with a doubling of speed and distance (everybody has made use of rope conventionally for exactly the same purpose). The nominal loads are defined quite easily (cylinder pressure valve settings) and I would be looking to utilise the leaf chain in the same way due to the obvious space savings over rope (with huge sheave diameters) without a drop in the smoothness of operation. I have found a few documents on the web which is good but does anyone have any reference to a standard for material handling.
In particular advise would be most beneficial for:
a) Things not to do!!!
b) Safety Factors (if the failure of the chain is considered catastrophic). I have always followed crane standards in regards to rope (Please note its not a people mover).
c) Service Factors (considering the operator and maintenance is limited and the environment can be corrosive, salty). I guess a marine environment is over the top but something from someone in the industry may help with this (if the industry uses leaf chain or stays away from it for example).
d) Roller Diameters (My Leaf Chain runs on rollers, not sprockets) and their direct effect on chain tensions, friction etc.
e) Terminations. Do I have to make my own and if so what are the dos and don'ts?? They say you can buy them, but, I'm at a loss when looking for a supplier.
Anything from anybody that has used the stuff can pass on would be helpful because we have to bite the bullet and start using it or be left behind.
We're tearing the competitors machine apart next month to have a look how they do it but quite frankly that's just not going to do it for me in regards to designing my own, even if they are achieving good life.
Cheers,
ExDrill.
"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link!"
I need as much good advice on Leaf Chain Design as can be mustered. Competitors in my industry are utilising leaf chain as a means of transferring a cylinders push/pull into a lift with a doubling of speed and distance (everybody has made use of rope conventionally for exactly the same purpose). The nominal loads are defined quite easily (cylinder pressure valve settings) and I would be looking to utilise the leaf chain in the same way due to the obvious space savings over rope (with huge sheave diameters) without a drop in the smoothness of operation. I have found a few documents on the web which is good but does anyone have any reference to a standard for material handling.
In particular advise would be most beneficial for:
a) Things not to do!!!
b) Safety Factors (if the failure of the chain is considered catastrophic). I have always followed crane standards in regards to rope (Please note its not a people mover).
c) Service Factors (considering the operator and maintenance is limited and the environment can be corrosive, salty). I guess a marine environment is over the top but something from someone in the industry may help with this (if the industry uses leaf chain or stays away from it for example).
d) Roller Diameters (My Leaf Chain runs on rollers, not sprockets) and their direct effect on chain tensions, friction etc.
e) Terminations. Do I have to make my own and if so what are the dos and don'ts?? They say you can buy them, but, I'm at a loss when looking for a supplier.
Anything from anybody that has used the stuff can pass on would be helpful because we have to bite the bullet and start using it or be left behind.
We're tearing the competitors machine apart next month to have a look how they do it but quite frankly that's just not going to do it for me in regards to designing my own, even if they are achieving good life.
Cheers,
ExDrill.
"A chain is only as strong as its weakest link!"
