Diamond Chain & IBT
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In today’s challenging manufacturing world, Diamond Chain has a number of ways to overcome demanding environments that add up to the toughest chain applications.
The problem: Abrasive granules in roofing products manufacturing were wearing out chains too quickly.
After falling into the cycle of replacing chain after chain on their “coater/blender” machine, a leading manufacturer of roofing shingles approached Diamond Chain. To keep the equipment running properly, they were replacing chains every 30 days.
A review of the application found that the chains were elongating quickly due to abrasive wear in the pin and bushing area caused by the granules from the shingles. These, when combined with the grease on the chain, created a sort of lapping compound which caused the chain to quickly wear.
The solution: Diamond’s team recommended the implementation of Diamond RING LEADER® O-Ring chain.
The pre-lubricated O-Ring sealed joints of the chain provided excellent lubrication during operation, while also sealing out the granules from the chains joints. Since its implementation, the manufacturer has changed the maintenance schedule for the chain from replacement every 30 days, to once a year during scheduled shut-downs, significantly reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
The problem: Metal processor expected five years of chain life – got six months.
A manufacturer of coated steel products had an “accumulator” in its product storage area which utilized four one-hundred foot long sections of #120 roller chain. For some time, the manufacturer had been experiencing significant problems in the application, requiring repair or replacement of the chain at a minimum interval of every six months. This was well below their expectation of five years of trouble-free service.
The solution: Diamond High Strength Chain
After a review of the application and the competitors’ failed chains, Diamond recommended the Diamond #120HS (High Strength) roller chain. This chain incorporates Heavy series side plates and through-hardened medium-carbon pins that are better equipped to handle the starting and stopping of the application.
Since implementation, the manufacturer has been running repair-free for over three years, not only saving them the cost of the replacement chains but also saving significant downtime.
The problem: Distribution center chain bogged down with cardboard particles.
A large distribution center with seemingly miles of conveyors moving thousands of boxes each day needed a self-lubricating chain which would not attract the cardboard particles found on chains which were regularly lubricated.
One possible alternative was Standard Chain, but the cardboard fines in the application could accelerate wear and require regular cleaning and additional lubrication.
Another was Diamond RING LEADER® O-Ring Chain, often an excellent choice for drives in contaminated areas. In this case, the added width of the o-ring chain presented some challenges, as did the added expense because of the number of feet of chain needed.
The solution: Diamond DURALUBE® Chain
With a relatively low initial cost, this looked like the best answer. When combined with the supplemental lubrication in the oil-impregnated sintered bushing/roller component, the DURALUBE chain proved to be an excellent fit for the application.
When you have chain working in a difficult application, you may find that you have limited service life and unexpected breakdowns. IBT representatives can explain how they can work with you to solve these difficulties. And, they’ll even help you with more common chain problems.
