Accurate chain alignment has a
significant effect on chain life.
Particular care should be paid to
ensure that the shafts are parallel
and to the alignment of the chain
wheels. As a guide for slow
running chain drives a tolerance
of 0,2 mm per 100 mm centre
distance is given for misalignment.
In the case of faster running
drives, such as in combustion
engines and with short centre
distances misalignment of the
wheels should not exceed 0,1 mm.
With short centre distance drives
and vertical chain wheel centres
the chain should be supported by
means of a guide.
Where the misalignment exceeds
the specified value or if there is
no support in the case of vertical
chain wheel centres, the inner
links interfer with the chain wheel
teeth, resulting in continuous
knocking of the inner link plates,
which are eventually pushed
outwards until hey contact the
outer link plates and thus reduce
the freedom of link movement. In
addition, lateral vibrations are set
up, which accelerate chain wear.