Tsubaki Throws the Book at Reduced Chain Life in Binding Applications

Fortunately, Tsubaki can now solve both problems by offering it’s 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 of chain that is used for bookbinding applications is the poor service life that it offers. Paper dust is extremely fine and actually quite tough; it sticks to the grease that is used to lubricate the chain creating a fine lapping paste; this then works its way inside the bushes and pins and causes accelerated wear. Often, assuming that high replacement rates are a necessary evil, maintenance engineers will try to save money by ordering cheaper chain which only leads to wear occurring sooner.

Tsubaki is able to offer a cure to this self-fulfilling prophecy of poor chain life. Its Lambda chain uses a unique design which 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.

The company understands the necessity for specialist attachments for printing and bookbinding machines and has invested significantly in R&D to develop chain which fits most machines, including tent style chain for Heidelberg printing machines. Tsubaki carries extensive stock 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 & attachment chain is available in most pitch sizes, the most common bookbinder chain being BS ¾” pitch roller chain with copper coated threaded extended pins one side every outer.