Short Pitch Conveyor Chain with Extended Pins

Core Structural Features

1. Short Pitch Design

   Pitch lengths typically range from 6.35 mm to 38.1 mm (ANSI standard) or 3/8” to 1-1/2”, with tight link-to-link clearances. This structure ensures smooth, low-noise operation at high speeds, minimizing vibration and chain elongation during long-term use.
2. Extended Pin Configurations

• Single-side extended pins: Pins protrude from one side of the inner link plates, ideal for mounting lightweight attachments (e.g., brackets, pushers) for single-direction conveying tasks.

• Double-side extended pins: Pins extend symmetrically from both sides of the inner links, enabling bilateral attachment installation for complex conveying scenarios like bidirectional workpiece transfer or multi-station processing.

• Custom pin lengths: Extended pins can be customized in length (5–20 mm beyond standard pin dimensions) based on attachment size requirements, with precision-machined pin ends to ensure secure attachment fitting.

3. High-Quality Material & Processing

• Chain plates: Stamped from high-strength carbon steel (e.g., 40Mn) or stainless steel (304/316), with shot peening treatment to enhance fatigue resistance.

• Pins & bushings: Heat-treated alloy steel with surface hardening (HRC 50–55) for superior wear resistance; extended pins are precision-ground to ensure straightness and dimensional accuracy.

• Rollers: Cold-formed steel rollers with smooth surfaces, reducing friction between the chain and sprockets or guide rails.

Performance Advantages

• Precise Positioning Capability

  The short pitch structure and fixed extended pin positions ensure accurate workpiece spacing, making these chains ideal for automated production lines, packaging machinery, and electronic component assembly equipment where positioning accuracy is critical.
• Flexible Customization

  Extended pins serve as standardized mounting points for a wide range of attachments (e.g., flight bars, side guides, clamps) without modifying the chain’s core structure. This adaptability allows the chain to meet diverse conveying needs, from small-part sorting to lightweight product transfer.
• High-Speed Compatibility

  With a compact structure and minimal rotational inertia, these chains can operate at speeds up to 15 m/s, suitable for high-throughput production environments such as food packaging and pharmaceutical sorting lines.
• Easy Maintenance & Replacement

  The modular design allows individual chain links or extended pins to be replaced independently, reducing downtime for maintenance. Stainless steel variants are corrosion-resistant and easy to clean, meeting hygiene standards for food and pharmaceutical industries.

Typical Application Fields

• Food & Beverage Industry: Used in bottle labeling machines, canning lines, and snack packaging equipment; stainless steel models withstand frequent cleaning and sanitization.

• Electronics Manufacturing: Applied in PCB (printed circuit board) conveyors and component sorting systems, where precise positioning ensures accurate assembly and testing.

• Packaging Machinery: Integrated into carton sealing machines, labeling machines, and shrink wrap equipment, with extended pins mounting pushers to move packages through processing stations.

• Automotive Component Production: Utilized in the conveying of small auto parts (e.g., sensors, fasteners) during assembly, ensuring stable transfer between machining and inspection stations.

Key Selection Guidelines

1. Pitch & Load Matching

   Select the appropriate pitch based on conveying speed and workpiece size: smaller pitches for high-speed, precision applications; slightly larger pitches for heavier loads. Ensure the chain’s rated tensile strength is 1.2–1.5 times the actual conveying load to account for peak forces during startup.
2. Extended Pin Specifications

   Confirm pin length, diameter, and protrusion direction according to attachment dimensions. For heavy attachments, choose reinforced extended pins with thicker diameters to prevent bending or shearing.
3. Material Selection

• Carbon steel chains: Cost-effective, suitable for dry, low-corrosion environments (e.g., automotive workshops).

• Stainless steel chains: Ideal for food, pharmaceutical, or humid environments, offering corrosion resistance and hygiene compliance.

• Nickel-plated chains: Balanced option for mild corrosion environments, providing better wear resistance than carbon steel without the high cost of full stainless steel.

4. Sprocket Compatibility

   Match the chain with sprockets of the same pitch and tooth profile to ensure smooth meshing. For high-speed applications, choose sprockets with more teeth to reduce chain wear and noise.