Self-lubricating chains offer benefits for bookbinding machines

Sourcing chain for bookbinding machinery can be a frustrating process. The chain needs to be specified to extremely accurate lengths, and with highly individual attachments, which usually results in long lead times from specialist suppliers; furthermore, frequent replacement may also be expected because the paper dust, created by the binding process, tends to stick to exposed lubricant and causes the chain's pins to wear early. Fortunately, Tsubaki can now solve both problems by offering its innovate self-lubricating (and dry to the touch) Lambda Lube Free attachment chain for most machines from UK stock.

One of the most common complaints about chain used for bookbinding applications is the poor service life that it offers. Paper dust is extremely fine and quite tough; it sticks to the grease that is used to lubricate the chain, creating a fine lapping paste that works its way inside the bushes and pins to cause accelerated wear. Often, assuming that high replacement rates are necessary, maintenance engineers will try to save money by ordering cheaper chain that only leads to faster wear.

Tsubaki is able to offer a cure to this self-fulfilling prophecy of poor chain life. Its Lambda chain uses a design that is self-lubricating from the inside out; external lubrication is unnecessary, which means that foreign contaminants do not work their way inside and the working parts remain protected from the fine dust. The absence of external grease also means the chain can be operated without the fear of the conveyed products being marked by excess lubricant.

Specialist attachments

The company understands the necessity for specialist attachments for printing and bookbinding machines and has invested significantly in R&D to develop chain that fits most machines, including tent-style chain for Heidelberg printing machines. Tsubaki carries extensive stocks of common bookbinder chains in its centrally located engineering and distribution centre in Nottingham.

Derek Mack, Sales Director for Tsubaki UK, comments: "The extra life that Lambda chain offers for high-wear applications such as bookbinding allows us to deliver real savings over the life of the chain and we have many references from the field to prove it. As we hold all of our chain in stock in the UK we often find that we are able to offer shorter delivery times compared to specialist suppliers as well. Our expert engineers are available to offer both pre and post-sale support; with on-site chain surveys and condition based monitoring."

Tsubaki is able to offer accurate chain cutting, to within 0.5mm, from its own engineering facility. Chain can be length-matched to suit the particular indexing requirements of any application or paired with identical lengths for applications that require chain to run in parallel. Tsubaki standard drive and attachment chain is available in most pitch sizes, the most common bookbinder chain being BS 3/4-inch pitch roller chain with copper-coated threaded extended pins one side every outer.

Visit the Tsubakimoto UK website for more information about chains for bookbinding machinery and other specialist applications.