Wippermann Industrial Roller Chains

Engineered selection for Wippermann industrial roller chains, maintenance-free Marathon series, sprockets, and drive components by chain pitch and machine drawing.

Roller chains according to ISO 606

Industrial roller chains by Wippermann are manufactured to DIN 8187, DIN 8188, and ISO 606 standards. Precision link manufacturing ensures exact pitch dimensions and high dynamic load resistance in machine tool drives, packaging conveyors, and continuous industrial handling systems.

Simplex chains of European series 05B–32B and ANSI series 35–160
Duplex and triplex configurations for heavy torque drive transmissions
Hardened precision pins and seamless bushings for extended wear life
Protective surface coatings for harsh chemical and outdoor environments

Maintenance-free Marathon chains

High-performance Marathon roller chains are engineered for installations where manual relubrication is impractical or where product contamination must be avoided. Sintered metal bushings impregnated with lubricant deliver exceptional service life and consistent drive efficiency.

Reliable maintenance-free operation without recurring manual lubrication
Full dimensional interchangeability with standard ISO 606 sprockets
Stainless steel Marathon RF variants for food and beverage packaging
Biathlon and Triathlon series engineered for high speeds and heat

Conveyor and hollow pin chains

Conveyor drive chains by Wippermann include hollow pin chains series 01650, accumulation chains AFS, and chains with protective clip-on attachments. They are engineered for automated assembly conveyors, pallet transfer lines, and unit load transport across automotive and logistics plants.

Hollow pin chains designed for mounting customer cross rods and fixtures
AFS accumulation chains with side rollers for controlled product queuing
Conveyor chains featuring plastic clips to protect delicate workpiece shells
Double pitch roller chains to ISO 1275 standard for long-distance conveyors

Leaf chains and inverted tooth chains

Heavy-duty leaf chains (Fleyer chains) across LL, AL, and LH (BL) series deliver immense tensile capacity in reciprocating lifting mechanisms. They serve as primary hoist elements in forklift masts, counterweight hoists, and hydraulic lifting columns across heavy manufacturing facilities.

Leaf hoist chains built to ISO 4347 and DIN 8152 plate lacing patterns
High fatigue strength designed to withstand continuous cyclical hoisting
Inverted tooth silent chains engineered for high-speed smooth power transfer
Robust bush chains for drives operating in dusty and abrasive surroundings

Sprockets, plate wheels and couplings

Precision sprockets by Wippermann ensure optimal tooth engagement, minimizing roller friction and acoustic emission throughout the transmission. The portfolio covers hubbed sprockets, plate sprockets, idle tensioner sprockets with integrated bearings, and flexible chain couplings.

Sprockets for ISO 606 roller chains in simplex, duplex, and triplex layouts
Plate wheels ready for custom bore machining and keyway slotting
SPR tensioner sprockets incorporating sealed deep-groove ball bearings
Flexible roller chain couplings for absorbing shaft misalignments and shocks

Marathon Lift rigid chain systems

Marathon Lift is Wippermann's patented rigid chain technology designed for linear vertical actuation with load ratings up to 20 kN (2 metric tons). Interlocking chain links form a rigid thrust column, replacing hydraulic cylinders in scissor lift tables, stage platforms, and automotive hoists.

Lifting load capacity up to 20 kN per compact drive module with smooth motion
Compact chain storage magazine for coiled retraction of the unloaded strand
Dry electromechanical actuation eliminating oil leak risks in clean facilities
Maintenance-free interlocking link geometry delivering reliable operation

Pitch identification and ISO 606 standard verification

Proper selection of Wippermann industrial roller chains begins with verifying adherence to European standard DIN 8187 (B-series) or American standard DIN 8188 (A-series, ANSI). The primary geometric reference is chain pitch p, measured between adjacent pin centers.

Roller diameter d1 and inner width b1 between link plates must be verified against ISO tables.

American series chains feature thicker link plates and larger pin diameters than European counterparts of equivalent pitch; mounting A-series chains on B-series sprockets causes mechanical binding, severe tooth galling, and accelerated transmission wear across the entire production line.

Sprocket tooth geometry and transmission ratio design

Operational reliability of Wippermann chain transmissions depends directly on coordinated sprocket geometry and center distance. Drive pinions should feature at least 17 to 19 teeth for moderate velocities and 21 teeth for high-speed shafts to minimize polygonal acceleration fluctuations.

The contact arc on the small sprocket must exceed 120 degrees to guarantee multi-tooth load sharing. Ideal center distances range between 30 and 50 chain pitches.

Wippermann sprockets are machined from C45 structural carbon steel with induction-hardened tooth contours rated at 50 to 55 HRC to prevent tooth crest deformation.

Engineering principles of Marathon maintenance-free chains

Wippermann Marathon roller chains eliminate recurring manual relubrication through sintered metal bushings vacuum-impregnated with high-temperature synthetic lubricant.

Frictional heating during operation induces capillary oil migration directly onto pin contact zones, sustaining an unbroken hydrodynamic boundary layer. Upon shutdown, capillary action draws lubricant back into porous bushing structures.

To preserve internal lubricant integrity, Marathon chains must remain protected against high-pressure washdowns, aggressive degreasers, and industrial steam jets. In damp environments, stainless steel Marathon RF variants deliver optimal performance.

Tensioning alignment and polymer guide rail installation

Proper initial tensioning prevents chain whipping and premature joint elongation. The slack strand should demonstrate a sag amplitude of one to two percent of the drive center distance in horizontal drives, and under one percent in vertical arrangements.

Excessive initial pre-tension induces extreme radial bearing loads and accelerated joint wear, whereas insufficient tension risks chain derailment under shock loading.

Automatic Spann-Box spring-loaded tensioners combined with ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene PE-UHMW wear strips provide continuous wear compensation and minimal friction.

Wear diagnostics and replacement criteria for roller chains

According to ISO 606 guidelines, maximum permissible chain elongation through joint articulation wear is two percent for standard installations, and one percent for drives incorporating sprockets with more than sixty teeth.

Elongation measurements are taken across a taut span of twenty or fifty pitches using vernier calipers or specialized Wippermann wear gauges. Once wear exceeds two percent, chain replacement becomes mandatory.

Fitting new chains onto worn sprockets with hook-shaped teeth is prohibited, as distorted tooth profiles inflict rapid roller impact fatigue and premature failure.

Storage protocol and commissioning run-in procedure

Spare Wippermann roller chains should remain stored in sealed packaging within clean, dry, climate-controlled storerooms to prevent atmospheric moisture condensation. Preservative compounds safeguard polished pin and roller surfaces throughout prolonged shelf storage.

Preservatives need not be stripped prior to commissioning, as they remain fully compatible with WKS synthetic lubricants.

Prior to operating under full mechanical loads, transmissions should undergo a thirty-minute no-load run-in sequence to verify smooth tooth meshing, proper guide clearance, and uniform tension.

Wippermann and model names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the equipment for which we source parts. SpareX is not an official dealer, distributor or representative of Wippermann and is not affiliated with the trademark owner. Origin, documents and warranty are stated for each item in the quotation.