What are sprockets?
A sprocket is a simple mechanical wheel with teeth or small grooves that rotate and mesh with the links of a chain or belt. But in order to be compatible, they need to be the same thickness and pitch.
The basic design of this device has been used for a long time around the world. They look very similar to gears, but they are not designed to mesh together. Sprockets are used in a variety of different applications, including bicycles, cars, motorcycles, tools, and other machinery. We have matching bearings available.
They are usually made of steel, which is wear-resistant so they can last longer. Sometimes they are made of aluminum, which is lighter and perfect for motorcycles or bicycles, but it does wear faster than steel.
Different Types of Sprockets
Sprockets come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with different numbers of teeth. Here is a list of some of the standard types and their common uses:
Dual Purpose – There are two teeth per pitch – so when one set of teeth wears out, the chain link can advance to a new set of teeth.
Hunter Tooth – Hunter teeth have an odd number of teeth, which means they last longer than other types of sprockets because the chain links engage a new set of teeth with each turn. This means each tooth makes only half as many contacts as other types of sprockets, which helps extend service life.
Segmented rims – These have three, four or more bolt-on rims. The rims can be replaced without removing the chain from the sprocket or the sprocket from the shaft. This makes them useful in elevators or other industrial settings, as they help reduce costly downtime during installation and adjustments.
Multi-strand – This type is used where more torque and power is required, or where two or more objects are driven by the same drive shaft.
Quick disconnects (QDs) – These are often used for higher workloads, and some have a reverse mounting feature.
Idler – Used where there is slack in a long chain to help prevent whipping, or where it is used to go around obstacles. It also helps prevent uneven load distribution.
How do sprockets work?
A chain or belt is used to connect two sprockets, one of which is the “driver” and the other is the “driven.” Motion or force then drives them, transmitting power or changing the torque or speed of a mechanical system.
Sprockets with more teeth are able to carry heavier weights, but they also create more friction, which slows down their running speed.
As the chain passes over it, it wears the notches, so if they become pointy or the tips are hooked instead of blunt, they need to be replaced.
What is the difference between a gear and a sprocket?
They are both used to transmit power in a machine or to move other items by interlocking with the machine, but the main difference between a sprocket and a gear is how they work on a practical level. Both tend to be grooved wheels used in machinery, which means they look very similar, but they operate and function differently.
Typically, gears are designed to be connected together to transfer motion to them, which then causes motion elsewhere. Therefore, sprockets often work directly with parts of machinery, while gears often push against each other and use their collective motion to cause greater mechanical motion.
This means that sprockets are designed to move things like chains or belts directly, so they work more independently, while gears form a network to add strength and cause motion.
The difference can also be seen when examining the grooves of the two devices. Since the gears mesh directly, the grooves may be on the outside of the wheel or on the inner circumference of the wheel.
The teeth of a sprocket fit precisely into the grooves of the equipment it is moving. This means that the types of applications they can be used in are limited.
Reasons to choose NSAR
High-quality sprockets, roller chains and matching bearing products
Complete after-sales service
Customized mass production is possible
