March 2020

37 www.drivesncontrols.com March 2020 BELTS, BEARINGS AND CHAINS n Spin-riveting can maximise conveyor chain security M ost conveyor chain manufacturers use wedge-riveting as standard for their products. It is cheaper and quicker than the alternative technique known as spin- riveting, and is fine for most applications – especially where the side-plates are not fitted with load-carrying attachments – but spin-riveting offers enhanced side-plate security, and should be considered for any critical application. During the spin-riveting process, the pins are end-softened to prevent cracking and to provide easier on-site installation, riveting and dismantling. The spin rivet itself has a mushroom-like head and provides a much larger contact area with the side-plate. It is this that provides the enhanced security of the chain’s side plates. Spin-riveting is particularly effective for applications where attachments have been fitted to the side-plates of conveyor chain that could be carrying heavy loads. In fact, we recommend that all engineers specifying custom- designed conveyor chain with attachments, should consider spin- riveting as an option, due to the extra side-plate security it provides. This recommendation comes after one manufacturer that was using a large amount of conveyor chain at one of its plants, sent an inspection team to our service centre in Bredbury to check the quality of the spin-riveting process. The company was using chain fitted with attachments to carry heavy loads in underground chambers that were dirty and foul smelling. The load on the side- plates was causing the plates to work loose over time and eventually to come off. An engineer would then have to descend into the dark, unpleasant chambers to carry out repairs. The manufacturer’s maintenance team decided to specify replacement conveyor chain with spin-riveted side-plates. This has almost eliminated the need for engineers to enter the unpleasant environment to carry out repairs, but the spin-riveted chain has also cut maintenance costs and increased productivity. n Most conveyor chain is wedge-riveted. But Alec Annand, manager of Renold Chain’s customer service centre, argues that spin-riveting can be an attractive alternative for critical applications. Spin-riveting is attractive for applications where attachments are fitted to the side- plates of conveyor chain that might need to carry heavy loads. igus ® Caswell Road Northampton NN4 7PW Tel 01604 677240 sales@igus.co.uk plastics for longer life ® Change your bearing now and save 40% igus ® dry -tech ® ... lubrication-free bearings made easy Whether bronze or sintered bearings, coated metal bushings or needle roller bearings: reduce costs and improve machine performance with iglidur ® polymer bearings. Lubrication-free, light-weight and wear-re- sistant for your moving application. Find out all you need to know about replacing your bearings. igus.co.uk/change-bearing High-performance bearings with predictable service life. Find suitable bearings and calculate their service life online: igus.co.uk/iglidur-expert