Chain Drive (Roller Chain) - Design procedure

Step 1: Type of chain

Step 2: Preferred transmission ratio, i [PSG Page 7.74].
Step 3: Number of teeth, Z1 & Z2 [PSG Page 7.74].
Step 4: Standard pitch, p
[Standard values are 9.525 mm, 12.7 mm and 15.875 mm - PSG Page 7.74]
Optimum centre distance, a = (30 to 50) p. (‘a’ and ‘p’ are in mm) [PSG Page 7.74].
(If‘a’ value is not given, it can be assumed between 500 mm to 1000 mm).

Step 5: Selection of chain [PSG Page 7.71 to 7.73].

Step 6: check for actual factor of safety, [n] [PSG Page 7.78].
1. Actual load ∑ P
a) Tangential force Pt [PSG Page 7.78].
i. Power [N in KW]

ii. Velocity (v) =

b) Centrifugal tension Pc [PSG Page 7.78].

i. w = mg
c) Tension due to sagging Ps [PSG Page 7.78].
2. Service factor Ks [PSG Page 7.76 & 7.77].
Working load = ∑ P x Ks
3. Breaking load Q [PSG Page 7.71 to 7.73]
Step 7: Check for actual factor of safety, [n]
If the calculated actual factor of safety, [n] [PSG Page 7.78].
Minimum factor of safety, n [PSG Page 7.77].
If the calculated actual factor of safety, [n] > minimum factor of safety, ‘n’ then, the design is Safe.
Step 8: Actual Bearing Stress, σ [PSG Page 7.77].
Rearrange the formula in PSG Page 7.77 and compute the bearing stress, a. The bearing area, A
of the selected chain is obtained from PSG Page 7.71 to 7.73.
Step 9: Check for allowable bearing stress [PSG Page 7.77].
From the table in PSG page 7.77, find the allowable bearing stress based on pitch and speed of
rotation of small sprocket.
If the calculated actual bearing stress < allowable bearing stress then, the design is safe.
Step 10: Actual length of chain (l). [PSG Page 7.75].
Step 11: Exact centre distance, a [PSG Page 7.75].
Step 12: Pitch diameters of the sprockets, d1 & d2 [PSG Page 7.78].
 Chain Drive (Roller Chain) - Design procedure
Step 1: Type of chain
Step 2: Preferred transmission ratio, i [PSG Page 7.74].
Step 3: Number of teeth, Z1 & Z2 [PSG Page 7.74].
Step 4: Standard pitch, p
[Standard values are 9.525 mm, 12.7 mm and 15.875 mm - PSG Page 7.74]
Optimum centre distance, a = (30 to 50) p. (‘a’ and ‘p’ are in mm) [PSG Page 7.74].
(If‘a’ value is not given, it can be assumed between 500 mm to 1000 mm).

Step 5: Selection of chain [PSG Page 7.71 to 7.73].

Step 6: check for actual factor of safety, [n] [PSG Page 7.78].
4. Actual load ∑ P
d) Tangential force Pt [PSG Page 7.78].
i. Power [N in KW]

ii. Velocity (v) =

e) Centrifugal tension Pc [PSG Page 7.78].

i. w = mg
f) Tension due to sagging Ps [PSG Page 7.78].
5. Service factor Ks [PSG Page 7.76 & 7.77].
Working load = ∑ P x Ks
6. Breaking load Q [PSG Page 7.71 to 7.73]
Step 7: Check for actual factor of safety, [n]
If the calculated actual factor of safety, [n] [PSG Page 7.78].
Minimum factor of safety, n [PSG Page 7.77].
If the calculated actual factor of safety, [n] > minimum factor of safety, ‘n’ then, the design is Safe.
Step 8: Actual Bearing Stress, σ [PSG Page 7.77].
Rearrange the formula in PSG Page 7.77 and compute the bearing stress, a. The bearing area, A
of the selected chain is obtained from PSG Page 7.71 to 7.73.
Step 9: Check for allowable bearing stress [PSG Page 7.77].
From the table in PSG page 7.77, find the allowable bearing stress based on pitch and speed of
rotation of small sprocket.
If the calculated actual bearing stress < allowable bearing stress then, the design is safe.
Step 10: Actual length of chain (l). [PSG Page 7.75].
Step 11: Exact centre distance, a [PSG Page 7.75].
Step 12: Pitch diameters of the sprockets, d1 & d2 [PSG Page 7.78].