Basics of Sprockets and Roller Chain

This is a video series on the fundamentals of mechanical parts. In this video, I go over some of the basic information and uses for sprockets and roller chain.

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[briandenzer]

Conceiving a project requiring a sprocket & chain assembly, but having no engineering background, I was able to completely follow the presentation. Nicely done, and really very much appreciated. Thank you.

[tomgucci]

thank you.. I've dealt with machines utilizing all these concepts and fully understand how the mechanics work.. but never thought about why certain parts wear down in that manner

[krushnanavgire]

I also work on cam chain and I got a very good knowledge by your footage . thank you

[leifhall]

I'm sorry but I believe your formulas are incorrect. To calculate the pitch diameter you should use pitch/sine(180/Z). The reason is that the chains links will make a straight line between the teeths of the sprocket. Imagine a 6 teeth sprocket, the chain will form a hexagon around the sprocket and then you need to use 3 instead of pi to calculate the radius of the sprocket.

[Gallardo]

I talked years ago to Mrs rohloff from Kassel Germany regarding bike chains and their speedhub. She said the force delivered by the chain is gone after the 3rd engaging tooth! So against my initial believe more engagement doesn't mean sprocket has less stress or wear

[MIKh]

Aww, I hope that kid in the background grows up to be a great engineer like you someday

[chrisl]

Using your equations would cause inaccuracies if you machined your own sprockets. PCD (pitch circle diameter) = pitch (1/sin[180/#of teeth])

[THCMusicBlog]

how do you write at that angle ?? this helps a lot btw thank you for the info!

[pappyfiddle]

One minor caveat... The links of a chain wrapping around a sprocket don't form a circle, they form a regular polygon with number of sides = number of teeth, and length of side = link pitch.

The circumference of the "pitch circle" is a little larger than the perimeter of that polygon. See wikipedia, "regular polygon". For sprockets with just a few teeth, the effect is worse. For a 10-tooth sprocket, the difference is almost 2%. This would ruin a high-precision design.

[sryth]

Excellent video!  The algebra is a bit off putting, though:  d = c/π

[annaadams]

Thank you very much for your video! Can you please help me with the following question? How can I differentiate Sprockets and Gears. I mistake *Spur gears* and *Sprockets*

[TrainsCatsOtherStories]

I've noticed these guys sell roller chains on their site. Has anyone purchased from them before? And were you satisfied with them?

[donaldcampbell]

Blows my mind also. Not sure why you would not inform viewers that circumference is not practical. After your pitch x number of teeth theory tell them to divide their answer x pi. Then you get a practical number. Diameter. That’s the number we program our CNC with. Circumference is what we learn from a high school trig teacher. Circumference would only be useful if I was trying to calculate surface footage. Thanks though.

[pacovasda]

Right on. Nice video.you should make a rig to hold the ends of your chain for you. And to be your axis. but it is a nice video. A bit hard to find. I should have run across it years ago.
Thanks.

[maryumiftikhar]

can you guide me how i make calculation to find no of teeth on gears in designing of chain and sprocket mechanism

[dave]

Hello,
I am working on a project that uses magnets. Could you please say if there are aluminum or non-ferrous roller chains (small pitch) available.

Thanks very much.

[MrRockstar]

Hi, I have to say I enjoyed your footage on & found it very informative. I'm wondering if you could give me some advice though? I bought an unfinished project of a trike & have been doing alterations. The engine is from a Honda CB750 & have found that the back sprocket, for the back wheel on the original bike is 46 teeth yet the trike only has 36 teeth on it's back end. I'm wondering in what way will this effect the performance of the engine & would you advice I put a smaller front sprocket on?

[seagangstab]

Cool video  thanks for posting!! Its so bizarre watching south-paws write ;)

[tomasetas]

I have some questions I could really use some help with. It involves sprockets and motor speed, would anyone be willing to assist me?

[bldjln]

What are the names of the different types of sprockets?