What are the special requirements for roller chains in medical equipment?

What are the special requirements for roller chains in medical equipment?

Special requirements for roller chains in medical equipment
Roller chains are increasingly used in medical equipment, especially in equipment with high precision and high reliability requirements such as surgical robots and imaging diagnostic instruments. These applications place special requirements on the performance and quality of roller chains to ensure the stable operation of the equipment and the safety of patients. This article will introduce in detail the special requirements for roller chains in medical equipment and explore how to meet these requirements.

1. Material selection

1. High-strength and corrosion-resistant materials
Roller chains in medical equipment need to work in a strict hygienic and sterile environment, so the choice of materials is crucial. Commonly used materials include:
Stainless steel: has good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, suitable for environments that require frequent disinfection in medical equipment.
Alloy steel: high strength and high wear resistance, suitable for high-load and high-precision transmission applications.

2. Surface treatment
In order to improve the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of roller chains, special surface treatment is usually required:
Carburizing and quenching: improve the surface hardness of rollers and pins and enhance wear resistance.
Plating treatment: such as nickel plating or chrome plating, further improves corrosion resistance.

2. Manufacturing accuracy
1. Dimensional accuracy
The dimensional accuracy of the roller chain directly affects its transmission performance and reliability. High-precision roller chains can reduce transmission errors and improve the operating accuracy of the equipment. Specific requirements include:

Chain pitch: The tolerance of the chain pitch should be strictly controlled within the specified range to ensure the uniformity and consistency of the chain.

Roller diameter: The roller diameter should be less than or equal to half of the chain pitch to ensure good contact and transmission performance.

2. Tooth profile accuracy
The tooth profile accuracy of the sprocket is crucial to the transmission performance of the roller chain. High-precision tooth profiles can reduce chain wear and noise and improve transmission efficiency. Specific requirements include:
Tooth profile accuracy: The tooth profile should meet standard requirements to ensure good meshing between the chain and the sprocket.
Tooth number selection: It is recommended to use a sprocket with at least 17 teeth, and a sprocket with at least 21 teeth should be used under high speed and high load conditions.

3. Lubrication and maintenance

1. Lubrication requirements
The roller chain in medical equipment needs to work in a sterile and clean environment, so the selection and use of lubricants are very important:
Sterile lubricants: Use sterile lubricants that meet medical standards to ensure that there is no contamination to the equipment and patients.
Regular lubrication: Regularly check and replenish lubricants to ensure that the chain is well lubricated and reduce wear.
2. Maintenance requirements
Regular maintenance is the key to ensure the long-term and stable operation of the roller chain:
Regular inspection: Check the tension, wear and lubrication status of the chain, and adjust and replace severely worn parts in time.
Cleaning and disinfection: Clean and disinfect the roller chain regularly to ensure that it works in a sterile environment.

4. Installation and alignment

1. Installation accuracy
The installation accuracy of the roller chain directly affects its transmission performance and life:
Axial deviation: The axial deviation should be controlled within 0.2-0.5 mm to ensure the smooth operation of the chain.
Sprocket alignment: The sprockets must be aligned and the shafts must be parallel to reduce transmission errors and wear.
2. Tension adjustment
Appropriate tension can ensure the transmission stability and life of the roller chain:
Tension: The sag of the chain should be 1% – 2% of the wheelbase to ensure that the chain does not loosen or over-elongate during operation.
Tensioner: During operation, the chain will elongate due to wear, and a chain tensioner should be provided to maintain appropriate tension.

V. Performance requirements

1. High-precision transmission
The roller chain in medical equipment requires high-precision transmission to ensure the precise operation of the equipment:
Transmission efficiency: Under good lubrication and normal operating conditions, the chain transmission efficiency can reach about 98%.
Transmission ratio: The transmission ratio of each stage of the chain transmission can usually reach 4:1 (maximum not more than 7:1), and the transmission ratio can be changed by simply replacing the sprocket while maintaining the wheelbase.

2. High reliability
Roller chains need high reliability in medical equipment to ensure the stable operation of the equipment:
Tensile strength: The roller chain must undergo rigorous tensile strength testing to ensure that it will not break under high loads.
Impact load: Under the condition of frequent starting and braking, the roller chain needs to withstand a large inertial impact load, and a roller chain that has undergone multiple impact damage tests should be selected.

VI. Practical application cases

1. Surgical robots
Surgical robots have extremely high requirements for the accuracy and reliability of roller chains. Roller chains are used to drive the joints and tools of the robot and need to operate stably under high precision and high load. For example, the roller chain used in a surgical robot is made of high-strength stainless steel, which is carburized and quenched to ensure high wear resistance and tensile strength.

2. Diagnostic imaging equipment
The roller chain in the diagnostic imaging equipment is used to drive the movement and positioning of the equipment and needs to operate under high precision and low noise. For example, the roller chain used in a diagnostic imaging equipment uses high-precision sprockets and rollers to ensure the smoothness and accuracy of the transmission.

VII. Conclusion
The application of roller chains in medical equipment needs to meet the special requirements of high precision, high reliability and high corrosion resistance. By selecting the right materials, manufacturing high-precision sprockets and rollers, using sterile lubricants, regular maintenance and adjusting the tension, you can ensure the stable operation of roller chains in medical equipment. I hope this article will help you understand the special requirements of roller chains in medical equipment.