Pressingketten

Pressingketten are chain-driven components used in industrial presses to transmit drive motion and convert it into pressing action. They are common in stamping, forming, and composite pressing applications where high-frequency cycles and precise timing are required. The term can refer to roller chains or leaf chains configured to drive a ram, platen, or pressing member via sprockets, cams, or linkages. They are designed to withstand high cyclic loads and operate in dirty environments typical of metalworking.

Construction and variants: Built from high-strength alloy steel with hardened pins and bushings; available as standard roller chains or specialized pressing variants with increased side-load capacity; sometimes reinforced with guide rails or rollers to maintain alignment and reduce wear. Drive arrangements may involve a motor-driven sprocket, a counter-roller, or an eccentric drive converting rotation to linear motion.

Materials and wear: Common materials include alloy steel with surface hardening (case-hardening, carburizing) or nitriding. Lubrication is essential; many pressing chains use mineral oil or other lubricants depending on environment. Wear is driven by pin and bushing wear, side-plate bending, and elongation of the chain, which degrades timing and force transmission.

Maintenance and life: Regular lubrication, tension adjustment to compensate for elongation, and alignment checks are required; inspect for signs of rust, broken links, or excessive wear; replace chains when elongation exceeds manufacturer limits or after a defined number of cycles.

Applications: Used in stamping presses, blanking machines, and high-speed forming presses; common in automotive, appliance, and packaging industries. Related terms include chain drives and other load-bearing transfer mechanisms used in industrial pressing equipment.