Engineering solutions provider BMG’s total plant management solutions encompass a technical advisory service for maintenance programmes that includes correct chain and sprocket selection, a critical factor in any power transmission system.

“We believe that by investing in quality branded power transmission chain, significant cost savings are achieved. While the global trend is focussed on cost reduction to protect a customer’s plant availability and improve margins, it is important when it comes to procurement for maintenance, that the total cost of ownership is considered above initial cost savings,” says BMG Power Transmission business unit manager Carlo Beukes.

He adds that while some components appear to be the cheaper solution in the short term, they can prove expensive if regular maintenance, repair and replacement work is necessary. Further, the key to real world cost savings in power transmission lies in extended, low maintenance operating cycles.

“We hear too often that when a business cuts costs, that this has been achieved by sourcing cheaper components during procurement. While these savings may appear advantageous in the short term, the only real way to gauge success is to look at the total cost of the product throughout its service life. Cost of installation, maintenance requirements, downtime caused by early failure and replacement, are all hidden costs that accumulate when a budget component is specified”.

“BMG offers a site visit service prior to component specification to ensure an accurate total cost of ownership estimate. BMG’s technical team advises on the selection of the correct component for each application and the appropriate installation and usage for optimum performance and improved safety standards. For extended service life and minimal maintenance requirements, correct lubrication methods and dust prevention care are also critical.”

Tsubaki roller, engineering and speciality chains, available from BMG’s power transmission division, are designed for maximum performance in heavy duty drive and conveying applications – particularly those operations that are subject to both heavy and shock loads.

Tsubaki chains have a special pin surface treatment to prevent pitting corrosion and offer extended service life, even in environments where there is dirt, moisture and acidity. Hardened pins permit substantial increases in acceptable load over standard chain.

These chains, which have increased shock resistance and higher tensile strength, meet the demands of tough operating conditions and reduce the costs of chain replacement and work stoppage time.

Tsubaki chain, available exclusively throughout Southern Africa from BMG, has been designed for efficient use, improved productivity, low maintenance requirements and extended service life in many industries.

This range includes Tsubaki engineering class SJ3 sealed joint chains, with improved sealing technology, designed to improve the reliability of many mechanical components exposed to harsh environments.

“An important feature of the Tsubaki SJ3 series is that extended bushing barrier seals prevent abrasive materials from entering and attacking chain joints, reducing wear and extending service life of chains,” explains BMG Tsubaki product manager Gavin Kirsten.

He adds that Tsubaki’s patented SJ3 labyrinth structure keeps each pin and bushing assembly, free and clear of contaminants. This multi-seal combination inhibits fine particulates from entering critical bearing areas.

The Tsubaki SJ3 design comprises three distinct seals.

Although independent of one another, Kirsten points out that the seals complement each other to provide secure bushing and pin protection. The first seal is an industry standard extended bushing, that limits the clearance between the ends of the bushings and the mating sidebars, providing an effective first layer of protection.

BMG’s durable Tsubaki SJ3 series, has been designed for dependable operation in harsh environments, including mining, cement, paper, sugar, grain and asphalt applications.

BMG’s Tsubaki G7 ANSI RS roller chain offers double the wear-life of the previous sixth generation chain and can withstand an increase of 33% in kW ratings, improved productivity and reduced downtime.

The G7 series has solid lube groove bushings, designed to retain lubrication and increase the wear life of the chain. The patented ring coin connecting link ensures that the chain can be specified to its full chain capacity. This process increases the strength of the link plate around the pin holes to make sure the link retains the same high strength and wear resistance as the rest of the chain.

Other features of this pre-loaded lubricated chain include wide waist link plates, shot peened rollers, higher grade pins and oriented link plates. There is a reduction in the risk of chain breakage, because the specially selected steel alloy has undergone effective heat treatment. Since there is no need for external lubrication, the chain is kept cleaner, making it easier to specify and install.

As an advancement to BMG’s power transmission range, the company has improved the quality of the complete range of Fenner sprockets. The teeth of every Fenner sprocket are induction hardened during manufacture, which leads to far longer chain life. This procedure makes the Fenner sprocket superior to any other standard range of sprockets on the local market. The teeth profile remains intact for longer, which reduces strain on the chain and there is therefore less elongation.