Precision Manufacturing at our ISO-Registered Facilities ensures that every U.S. Tsubaki sprocket stands up to critical design specifications and meets the highest quality standards. You get long service life and reliable performance, turn after turn, time after time.

Click here to find out about our new SMART TOOTH® sprockets with Patented Wear Indicator Technology and how they may work for your application.

ABOUT SPROCKETS

A sprocket is a rotating mechanical wheel with teeth that engage with roller or conveyor chains to facilitate their movement in a variety of applications and equipment.  As the sprocket rotates around a central shaft, the specially designed teeth engage the gaps in the chain to pull it with a secure grip regardless of whether it is in dirty or oily environments. Although they may resemble gears, sprockets are designed solely to work with chain and not with other sprockets or gears.

Tsubaki specializes in high quality drive and conveyance components, power transmission parts, and custom designed products. The integrity and performance of your transmission system relies on the suitability of your sprockets, and our team can help you find the perfect solution.

TYPES OF SPROCKETS

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, (ASME, formerly ANSI), has implemented several standards that both establish the minimum requirements for sprockets and create categories for different types of sprockets. ASME identifies sprockets based on their size and pitch, as well as general type. There are three types of sprockets, determined by the hub style (Longer hubs offer higher strength when fastening to shafts):

  1. Type A sprocket does not have a hub
  2. Type B sprockets have a single hub on one side
  3. Type C sprockets have a hub on both sides

Along with these basic categorizations, sprockets can also be described by their applications or the unique characteristics of the sprocket’s teeth. Some common sprockets include:

ROLLER CHAIN SPROCKETS

Commonly used in industrial and commercial applications, roller chain sprockets transmit force to chains by engaging the rollers in the chain, where the teeth fit between the inside plates of the chain.  A variety of applications benefit from these including conveyors, large industrial drives, robotics, motorized assemblies, and much more.

SINGLE-PITCH AND DOUBLE-PITCH SPROCKETS

Single-pitch sprockets have teeth that engage one tooth per chain link. Double pitch sprockets look like single pitch sprockets, but the chain only engages every other tooth.  This means that double-pitch sprockets can have same number of teeth as a single pitch sprocket but only half teeth will engage the chain.  The primary difference is that double pitch sprockets are cut with a special pitch diameter for optimum engagement.  For ASME roller chains, the sprockets are identical for single and double pitch chains if they have 32 or more teeth.

SMART TOOTH SPROCKETS

Sprocket teeth wear out over time due to friction caused by continuous physical contact between the sprocket tooth and the chain roller.  Tsubaki manufactures Smart Tooth® sprockets with wear indicator pins. These visual wear indicators inform operators and inspectors when a sprocket can still safely perform and when the sprocket needs to be replaced.

Types of Sprockets

To determine the tooth count for a sprocket based on the chain size, one can follow a straightforward process using a reliable sprocket diameter chart. This handy tool simplifies the task by aligning different chain sizes with their corresponding sprocket specifications.

Steps to Determine Tooth Count:

  1. Identify Chain Size:
    • Start by identifying the size of your chain. The chain size is typically marked on the chain itself or can be found in the manufacturer’s documentation.
  2. Consult a Sprocket Diameter Chart:
    • Use a sprocket diameter chart that lists standard chain sizes alongside their matching sprocket specifications. These charts are widely available online from trusted sources like Tsubaki.
  3. Match the Chain to the Sprocket:
    • Locate your chain size on the chart. Follow the row to find the list of possible sprocket diameters and corresponding tooth counts.
  4. Select the Appropriate Sprocket:
    • Choose the sprocket that provides the desired ratio and fits seamlessly with your machinery. Ensure that the tooth count aligns with both operational needs and equipment compatibility.

By using these steps, you can easily determine the tooth count for your sprocket, ensuring optimal performance and a perfect fit for your machinery.

What is a Type A Flat Sprocket and How Can It Be Utilized?

A Type A flat sprocket is a simple yet versatile component commonly used in various mechanical and industrial applications. Unlike other sprocket types, the Type A lacks a hub, making it completely flat. This design offers unique flexibility for different uses.

Key Features of Type A Flat Sprockets:

  • Flat Design: With no hub, these sprockets are entirely flat, which allows for easy attachment.
  • Material Options: Often made from durable materials such as steel or cast iron for longevity and reliability.
  • Size Variability: Available in a range of sizes to suit different project requirements.

Utilization of Type A Flat Sprockets:

  1. Machining:
    • Bolt Holes: Perfectly suited for customization in machining projects, where precise bolt holes can be drilled to meet specific needs.
    • Versatile Fitting: Can be easily incorporated into existing systems due to their flat design.
  2. Welding:
    • Onto Hubs or Shafts: Ideal for being welded directly onto hubs or shafts, providing a secure connection in mechanical systems.
    • Custom Fabrication: Allows for adaptation in custom-built machinery or equipment.
  3. Industrial Applications:
    • Conveyor Systems: Frequently used in conveyor belts and chain-driven systems to transfer motion efficiently.
    • Automotive and Agricultural Machinery: Integral in the transmission of mechanical power within various types of machinery.

In summary, the Type A flat sprocket is a versatile and essential component in the mechanical world, offering flexibility and adaptability across a wide range of applications. Whether you are looking to machine precise components or weld onto existing setups, this sprocket type serves as a vital tool for efficient power transmission and structural integration.

Understanding Plain Stock Bore Sprockets and Their Applications

Plain stock bore sprockets are versatile components in mechanical systems, designed with a standardized bore that can be customized through machining. This adaptability makes them an excellent choice for a variety of applications by allowing users to tailor the sprocket’s bore to meet specific requirements.

Key Features:

  • Customizable Bore: These sprockets come with a minimal pre-machined bore size. This feature allows engineers and machinists to create precise bore dimensions and keyways that fit specific shafts and unique operational needs.
  • Material Versatility: Available in various materials—such as steel, stainless steel, and cast iron—these sprockets can be selected based on the demands of the operating environment, from high durability to resistance to corrosion.

Common Uses:

  1. Industrial Machinery: They are frequently used in conveyor systems, where custom bore sizes are critical to match existing shafts and ensure smooth, reliable operation.
  2. Agricultural Equipment: Due to their customizable nature, these sprockets are ideal for tractors and other farm machinery, which often require specialized parts to meet varied agricultural demands.
  3. Automotive and Custom-Fit Applications: In automotive sectors, plain stock bore sprockets afford flexibility in creating bespoke drive systems in vehicles or customized machinery.

Installation and Maintenance:

  • Ease of Adjustment: The sprocket’s plain bore can be precisely bored out, ensuring a snug fit on different shafts. This adaptability reduces the chances of misalignment, which can lead to operational inefficiencies.
  • Long-Term Durability: Proper customization and installation extend the lifespan of these sprockets, maintaining optimal performance with routine lubrication and occasional inspections for wear and tear.

In summary, plain stock bore sprockets offer a customizable, efficient, and durable solution for a broad array of applications where precise shaft fitting is required. Their ability to adapt to specific needs makes them indispensable in many mechanical and industrial settings.

Understanding Finished Bore Sprockets and Their Features

Finished bore sprockets are essential components in machinery systems, designed to work seamlessly with roller chains. But what exactly are they, and what do they offer?

What Are Finished Bore Sprockets?

Finished bore sprockets are toothed wheels that come pre-made with a bore—essentially the central hole—ready for mounting. This bore is critical as it allows the sprocket to be easily attached to a shaft, facilitating the power transmission within various types of machinery.

Key Features of Finished Bore Sprockets

  • Ease of Installation: These sprockets come with a pre-drilled bore, complete with a keyway and two setscrews. This design ensures quick and straightforward mounting onto the shaft, saving time and effort during setup.
  • Versatility: Available in a wide range of tooth counts and sizes, these sprockets can accommodate different drive configurations and applications, making them a versatile choice for many industrial needs.
  • Compliance: Typically, finished bore sprockets adhere to standardized specifications like ANSI B29.1. This compatibility guarantees that they can be integrated with standard roller chains used across various machinery types.
  • Customization Options: For unique applications, custom-made finished bore sprockets are available. These can be tailored to specific requirements, offering flexibility for OEMs, aftermarket suppliers, and resellers.

Finished bore sprockets are a crucial part of machinery, providing efficient power transmission with ease and flexibility. Whether for standard or custom needs, their features ensure reliable operation in a variety of settings.

TSUBAKI OFFERINGS

Along with the four types of sprockets described above—roller chain, single-pitch, double-pitch, and Smart Tooth sprockets—our team specializes in manufacturing other popular sprockets like:

  • Drum Sprockets: These sprockets are typically wider to increase the overall surface contact between the sprocket and chain. This reduces the pressure on both parts and creates longer-lasting systems for heavy-duty drag conveyer equipment.
  • Steel-Split Sprockets: These sprockets are split in half for easier installation into chain systems that are difficult to access without having to remove the shafts.  Operators can position each half within the chain before bolting the two halves together. This allows for replacement of only the sprocket without taking apart the whole assembly and saving operators from having to loosen or reposition the chain.
  • Idler Sprockets: Idler sprockets help guide chains in an application and to help long chains from becoming too slack. .
  • Bushed Sprockets: Bushed sprockets can simplify the maintenance of chain systems by allowing only the worn out sprocket portion to be replaced while the bushing remains reusable.  Bushings also use a tight tapered mating surface that allows higher torque transmission when compared to simpler keyed assemblies. The close mating surface allows better performance in applications with lots of start/stop operations or shock loads.

 

 

CHOOSE TSUBAKI FOR HIGH-QUALITY SPROCKETS

Sprockets transmit reliable mechanical force using simple, yet highly essential mechanisms; therefore, it is important to choose the right parts to ensure long life for your critical system, considering loads and manufacturing conditions.  Tsubaki has been creating high-quality roller chains and conveyance parts for over 100 years, and we have an extensive line of standard and specialized sprockets. Contact us to find the right sprockets for your systems or equipment today.