Investigation of Hot Piercing method for manufacturing of conveyor chain link of bagasse carrier of the sugar industry to enhance the breaking load

Abstract

A chain is the most crucial element of sugar industry required for transmitting power and conveying of sugar cane, sugar & bagasse, etc. As these chains operate under various forces, failure of chain assembly is the major problem. The main cause of this failure is ineffective manufacturing processes like cold piercing method. The bearing length of the conveyor link hole is lesser (approx 33% straight and the remaining 67 % taper). The breaking strength is directly proportional to the bearing length of the conveyor chain link hole. Therefore, the bearing length is always desired higher. Only a few studies report in the literature related to the effect of bearing length on braking load. Thus, there is scope for work. This work is focused on hot piercing of the conveyor chain link of bagasse carrier to enhance the breaking load by increasing the bearing length of the pierced hole. It is carried out by varying heating temperature of chain link from 650°c to 850°c with an interval of100°c, by keeping variable clearance between punch and die. The bearing length is measured by using a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). The comparative analysis is carried out for bearing lengths obtained at the cold condition and three hot conditions at temperatures650°c, 750°c, 850°c, respectively. The higher bearing length required for enhancing the breaking strength of the conveyor chain is predicted as an outcome of the study. This study is useful in Conveyor Manufacturing Industry.