Sprockets
Sprocket
are very popular and common gear or wheel that comes with a metal teeth
which meshes perfectly with a chain or track. The term pitch is used to
refer to the distance between two
sprockets.
Industrial sprockets today are made in a variety of sizes. Sprockets are
available in metric and also in English measurements. Sprockets do not allow
gears to slip away and are specifically applied in cases where chains get
engaged by gears or wheels and also in cases of motors producing rotational
motions. Industrial sprockets are essentially part of the chain drives. It
is important in a chain drive that the sprocket should match with the type
of chain used. Interestingly, though Sprockets look like gears but it
differs in few ways from Gears:
- Industrial Sprockets usually have more engaging teeth than the gears
that has one or two.
- In sprockets, there is no slippage of teeth. Whereas in gears, the
teeth often touch and slip against each other.
- There is also a variation in terms of the shape of teeth.
Types of Sprockets
Sprockets are available in a variety of styles and types. This page would
highlight some of the more popular types and the classifications.
Manufacturers of sprockets in America have adopted 4 types of specific
sprocket making styles as a typical American Standard. They are the
following:
- Type A – This is a Flat sprocket that has no hub
extension on either side.
- Type B – A Sprocket that has a hub extension on one
side.
- Type C – Sprockets that have hub extension on both the
sides.
- Type D – Sprockets that comes with a detachable bolt on
a hub connected to a plate.
Multiple Strand Sprockets
These are another set of classification for Sprocket gears obviously based
on the number of strands. Examples are:
|
Quick Detachable
(QD) Sprocket - In this type a tapered bushing is typically bolted
into the bore that is machined in the sprocket. A tight grip is provided
as the bushing is inserted into the sprocket, which compresses onto the
shaft. |
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 |
Taper bushed
Sprocket (TB) - Taper bushed sprocket (TB) is an interchangeable
bushed sprocket, it gives a positive grip on the driven shaft. |
|
Split Type
Sprocket - Split Type Sprocket is a good alternative for solid type,
this allows quick installation without in any way hampering the shaft
and alignment. |
 |
 |
Shear Pin Sprocket
- Here a hub of the type shear pin is typically bolted to a sprocket. As
sprocket torque rating increases the shear device gets the sprocket
disengaged from drive. |
Sprockets Based on Locking Principle to the Shaft
Based on this type of classification there can be three types of sprockets:
- Bored and Keyed Sprockets - In this type, the sprockets
should be mounted onto a shaft with an identical keyway to perfectly fit
the sprocket.
- Pilot Bore Sprockets - Pilot Bore Sprockets are available to
the end users to re bore them to their own specification and need.
Application of Sprockets
There are many uses of Sprockets, some of them are highlighted below.
- Farm implements - As used in a seed-cum-fertilizer drill.
- Automobile applications - In two wheeler scooters, sprocket
is typically a wheel that has metal teeth. The chain rides upon it.
Sprockets are imperative for a smooth mobility of two wheelers.
- Bicycles - A very popular application in the bicycle sector.
Typically in a bicycle there are two sets of sprockets. The front
sprocket and the rear sprocket. Often they are also known as the Driving
sprocket and the driven sprocket. The following image clearly shows the
working of sprockets in a bicycle.
- Films - Sprockets find extensive are used in the film
transport mechanisms of movie projectors and movie cameras. In this
case, the sprocket wheels engage film perforations in the film stock.
