In simple terms, a Sprocket is a Chain/ Sprocket wheel is a wheel that has profiled teeth/cogs on it. The name sprocket is given to any wheel that has chains passing from over it.
Table of Contents
Application
Sprockets are used in a wide range of different appliances, machines, instruments, and other areas. Below, you’ll find a list that covers some of the most common things sprockets are used for. This includes but is not limited to:
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Bicycles
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Cars
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Tracked Vehicles
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Motorcycles
Industrial Sprockets
Apart from these, sprockets are used in many different Industrial appliances, we refer to these by industrial sprockets. Industrial sprockets can be used in many different things, they include but are not limited to:
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Stocking and Moving of heavy equipments and materials
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Hydraulic lift truck fork operation
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Conveying materials
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Operating conveyor belts
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Overhead hoists
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Addition or reduction in the driver’s output speed via changing the gears in between the driver and the sprocket used.
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Agriculture and Farming
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Pulleys, shafts, power transmission equipment
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Automotive equipment
Now that you know some of the most common ways sprockets and industrial sprockets are used in real-world applications, we’ll now go over the advantages of having sprockets in your device/instrument/product versus using other applications.
The big question: what advantages do sprockets give you over everything else?
Advantages of Sprocket
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A sprocket is more closely packed than a belt drive.
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It can be used on reversing drives.
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A sprocket doesn’t degrade due to the application of oil, sunlight, grease or aging.
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A sprocket can handle the coarse-grained conditions and withstand the harsh happenings.
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A sprocket can work when wet.
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You can use a sprocket on reversing drives.
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It can operate efficiently and effectively on higher temperatures
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A Sprocket does not slip or work slowly. And thus, they are more asked for than a Belt drive.
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It is easier to install a sprocket than it is, to install a Belt Drive.
If you’ve made it this far, we’ve covered the sprocket definition, meaning, application, and discussed the advantages of using sprockets and industrial sprockets. Now, we’ll be moving on to the last part. The folks at Diversified Specialties will share the different types of sprockets below.
Types of Sprockets
There’s a wide range of different types of sprockets that have different diameters (thickness around the center plate, apart from the teeth). As per the American National Standards Institute, there are four main types of it:
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Type A Sprocket: These sprockets are only plates. They do not have any thickness.
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Type B Sprocket: These sprockets have thickness on only one side of it.
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Type C Sprocket: These Sprockets have equally thick diameter on both its sides.
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Type C offset/ Type D Sprocket: This Sprocket is asymmetrical. It has different thickness of diameter on both sides.
Each one of these types has its own application in different causes, purposes, situations and/or the overall formation.
Industrial sprockets are used everywhere, we use them in daily life without ever taking a second to acknowledge them. Next time you hear a car go by or watch someone doing tricks on a motorcycle, remember, sprockets are playing a big role in that product.
