Tsubaki is a leading manufacturer of a wide range of industrial use power transmission components and equipment.
Differentiating quality, technology development and production systems rather than just simply pursuing cost reductions we believe is a primary goal for Tsubaki. By forward thinking investment, a fine example being the construction of probably the world’s largest state of the art roller chain manufacturing plant ever by Tsubaki.
Customers are increasingly concerned with total life cycle costs. Therefore demand is stronger than ever for enhanced quality and technology, particularly with respect to chain strength, durability and drive performance. To this end we are well placed; developing & releasing products that have the highest quality, added value, wear elongation and durability.
The world over, Tsubaki communicates and enhances the performance of original equipment and final consumer markets. Below is just a small example of the industries Tsubaki service.
Tsubaki is redefining the performance and longevity of "standard" flat side plate chain for automated warehouse applications with its next generation BS series RF roller chain. The new RF variants include several design improvements that combine to significantly improve the wear life of the chain.
Tsubaki BS RF chain is ideally suited for use in basic pallet conveying applications for automated warehousing & logistics centres. The new chain is available in both standard carbon steel and Lambda lube free variant. The Lambda version helps to address the problem of external contamination entering the chain components via lubricant on the chain surface and creating the mechanical wear that results in chain elongation and high replacement costs. Lambda is 'dry to the touch' and so does not collect contaminants that work their way into the chain and wear it out.
A three-year field test of roller chain at an MDF board production plant has resulted in operating costs being reduced by tens of thousands of pounds per year.
One of the largest producers of MDF and particleboard in Europe has compared the cost of ownership for several popular brands of roller chain over a three year period at one the company's main production plants. The samples varied from the cheapest available through to the highest quality lube-free roller chains; each was compared in a simple wear test. The aim of the practical test was to establish figures for outright longevity in an arduous application on the 'forming line', an area of the board production process that had the highest turnover of chain.
With so many companies claiming expertise in manufacturing roller chain products that do not require any external lubricant throughout their lives, Tsubaki, the original creators of lube-free chain explain how it is done and detail some surprising real world benefits...
There are a number of ways of achieving non-lube performance of drive chains. These vary with the load capacity and life requirements of the transmission medium. Today engineering plastics, especially self-lubricating acetyl types, play a part but, in the main, these type of chains suit applications where corrosion resistance and weight saving are more important than load capacity. Where conventional externally lubricated steel roller chain is normally used power transmission capacity and wear life are the main criteria for selection and an all steel lube-free chain is required.
