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How to use it
Enter power, speed and number of teeth of pinion and wheel, choose the chain and state the centre distance you would like. The tool rounds the length to the nearest even number of links, recalculates the resulting centre distance and derives speed, working pull and static safety against the minimum tensile strength of the standard.
Formulas used
What remains to be checked
Static safety only says that the chain does not break. The real choice of pitch is made on the power that can be transmitted at that speed, which depends on pin wear, plate fatigue and type of lubrication, and which manufacturers give in charts. Then there are the tensioner, alignment and guarding of the drive. For the complete sizing there is the service roller chain drive ISO 606.
FAQ
Why must the number of links be even?
With an odd number an offset link is needed, which has cranked plates and is weaker than the others. It is avoided by rounding to an even number and slightly adjusting the centre distance.
How many teeth should the pinion have?
At least 17 for smooth running; 19 or more at medium and high speeds. With few teeth the chain rises and falls at each link and the motion becomes uneven.
What static safety is needed?
As a reference at least 7 against the tensile strength is used, taking the service factor into account. It is a necessary condition, not a sufficient one: it must always be compared with the power rating allowed by the manufacturer.