LogoLogo
  • FRC Build System
  • System Standards
    • Tools
    • Materials
  • Spline & MotionX System
    • Extrusion
    • Sprockets & Gears
    • SplineXL Accessories
  • Build Guides
    • Competitive Concept
    • GreyT Assemblies
    • Everybot
  • Product Manuals
  • Belts, Chain & Gears
    • Overview
    • Belts & Pulleys
    • Sprockets & Chain
      • Chain Accessories
    • Gears
  • Gearboxes
    • Overview
    • Drive Gearboxes
    • Swerve
    • More Gearboxes and Accessories
  • Hardware & Tools
    • Overview
    • Hardware
    • Fasteners
    • Machines & Tools
    • Misc. Hardware
  • Electronics & Pneumatics
    • Overview
    • Brushless Motors
    • Sensors
    • Pneumatics
    • Wiring & Connectors
    • Miscellaneous
  • Systems Structure
    • Overview
    • Motion Systems
    • Robot Systems
    • GreyT Systems
    • Framing & Material
  • Wheels & Hubs
    • Overview
    • Traction Wheels
    • Roller & Shooter Systems
    • MultiDirectional
    • Accessories
  • Shop Accessories
    • Overview
    • SuperPit
    • SuperCart
    • OMIO & Accessories
  • Legacy
    • Overview
    • Legacy Products
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • Sprocket & Chain Basics
  • Common Terms
  • Calculating Center to Center
  • Recommended Applications
  • #25 Sprockets and Chain
  • #25 and #25H Chain (Product Page)
  • Motor Pinions (Product Page)
  • Double Hub Sprockets (Product Page)
  • Chain in Tube Sprockets (Product Page)
  • Single Hub Sprockets (Product Page)
  • Plate Sprockets (Product Page)
  • #35 Sprockets and Chain
  • #35 Chain (Product Page)
  • Double Hub Sprockets (Product Page)
  • Plate Sprockets (Product Page)
Export as PDF
  1. Belts, Chain & Gears

Sprockets & Chain

PreviousBelts & PulleysNextChain Accessories

Last updated 5 months ago

Sprocket & Chain Basics

Common Terms

Pitch is the measurement from one roller chain pin to another. Popular chain sizes used throughout FRC are the #25 and #35, which have their respective pitches of 0.25" and 0.375"

Pitch Diameter also known as PD is the circle that is formed while the chain and sprocket are meshed together and which the chain rotates around. If you wish to find the PD, reference the formula below.

Pitch ÷ sin(180°/Tooth Count)

The Chain Clearance Diameter is the outer diameter of the sprocket while it is meshed with the chain. Knowing this is crucial when placing sprockets in tight places to ensure that no interference is being created. If you wish to find the Clearance Diameter, reference the formula below, along with an example equation for the sprocket shown above.

Pitch Diameter + Pitch

24T - #25 Sprocket

1.915 + 0.250 = 2.165

The Outside Diameter also known as OD refers to the size of the actual sprocket.

Calculating Center to Center

When deciding the placement and spacing of your sprocket and chain it is important to keep in mind that the Center to Center distance can be a fully custom measurement to ensure compatibility in your system, or can be decided through a pre-determined chain length.

The basic rule of thumb when deciding on a custom Center to Center distance is that it should be anywhere from 30-50 times the pitch of the desired chain for optimal usage and should not exceed 80 times the pitch.

Proper Tension

Adding Chain Tensioner

Implementing our chain tensioners into your system is a an easy task due to them having the necessary clearance holes for the roller pins. Use the chain breaker tool to partially remove the pin from the chain and lay your selected chain tensioner in place, then simply reset the pin back into place.

Idlers

Idlers are yet another way to ensure proper tension is present in a chain and sprocket system as they can be placed either on inside or outside of the chain loop to provide more contact with the sprocket and decrease slack. Adding an idler to the chain loop does not affect the ratio and can actually benefit performance if placed near the driving sprocket as it allows for more meshing.

Recommended Applications

#25 Chain

  • Intakes

  • Conveyors

  • Turrets

#25H Chain

  • Drivetrains (wheels under 6")

  • Intakes

  • Conveyors

  • Turrets

  • Elevators

#35 Chain

  • Drivetrains (wheels 6" and up)

  • Wrists/arms

Load Rating

Chain Type
Max Working Load
Avg. Tensile Strength

#25

154 lbs

1058 lbs

#25H

209 lbs

1146 lbs

#35

419 lbs

2601 lbs

#25 Sprockets and Chain

Using this popular combination to transfer power or torque is a great alternative from other solutions due to the light footprint it has on your robot.

  • Plate sprockets are 6061-T6 aluminum

  • Hub sprockets are 7075-T6 aluminum

All #25 Sprockets will now be clocked and engraved. An alignment notch has also been added to help with clocking multiple items together during assembly.

Roller Chain in 10 foot lengths for use with any #25 sprocket

  • Available in #25 Standard and #25H

  • ANSI standard

  • Master Link included with 10 ft purchase

  • Chain Break Tools available to easily separate chain

  • Additional Master and Half Links sold in packs of 5

Bore
# of Teeth

8mm Spline XS

10, 12

8mm Key/Falcon

10

Bore
# of Teeth

1/2" Hex

12*, 14*, 16*, 17, 18, 20, 22, 24

*12T and 14T sprockets are only available in steel. The 16T is available in steel and aluminum.

Bore
# of Teeth

1/2" Hex

16, 17, 18

Bore
# of Teeth

3/8" Hex

16, 18, 22

1/2" Hex

18

Depending on the size, the Plate Sprockets will now have the MotionX Pattern and as many additional holes as possible following the 1" pitch.

Bore
# of Teeth

SplineXL

24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72, 84

#35 Sprockets and Chain

Using this combination to transfer power or torque is a great alternative from the #25 solutions as it can sustain double the working load and tensile strength.

  • Plate sprockets are 6061-T6 aluminum

  • Hub sprockets are 7075-T6 aluminum

All #35 Sprockets will now be clocked and engraved. An alignment notch has also been added to help with clocking multiple items together during assembly.

Roller Chain in 10 foot lengths for use with any #35 sprocket

  • ANSI standard

  • Master Link included with 10 ft purchase

  • Chain Break Tools available to easily separate chain

  • Additional Master and Half Links sold in packs of 5

Material
Bore
# of Teeth

Aluminum

1/2" Hex

12, 15, 18

Steel

1/2" Hex

9, 12, 15, 18

Depending on the size, the Plate Sprockets will now have the MotionX Pattern and as many additional holes as possible following the 1" pitch.

Bore
# of Teeth

SplineXL

18, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, 54, 60, 66, 72, 84

Ensuring that proper tension is present in a sprocket and chain system is crucial for the sake of system integrity and performance. Achieving proper tension is a fairly simple task to do when using a chain breaker tool and tensioner offered through WCP. Such as the or the .

#25 and #25H Chain ()

Motor Pinions ()

Double Hub Sprockets ()

Chain in Tube Sprockets ()

Single Hub Sprockets ()

Plate Sprockets ()

#35 Chain ()

Double Hub Sprockets ()

Plate Sprockets ()

Spartan Chain Tensioner
Chain TurnBuckle
Product Page
Product Page
Product Page
Product Page
Product Page
Product Page
Product Page
Product Page
Product Page
#25 Engraving Example
#35 Sprocket Engraving Example