Engineering English
Roller Chain
Mechanical Engineering · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: A roller chain is a power transmission chain consisting of alternating roller and pin links that engage with sprocket teeth, providing efficient and positive drive in applications such as conveyors and motorcycles.
Example in context
“The roller chain on the conveyor system required lubrication every 500 operating hours to minimize wear.”
“Konveyör sistemindeki makara zinciri, aşınmayı en aza indirmek için her 500 çalışma saatinde bir yağlama gerektirdi.”
Where engineers use it
Roller chains are standard in conveyors, agricultural machinery, and motorcycles for positive power transmission. An engineer must calculate chain length, select the correct pitch, and set proper tension to prevent elongation and jumping sprocket teeth.
Synonyms: bush roller chain
Practice: can you use “Roller Chain” at work?
You are inspecting a conveyor system where the roller chain has elongated and is skipping on the sprocket. Explain the steps to measure chain wear, determine if replacement is needed, and how to apply initial tension.
Show a model answer
“Lubricate the roller chain regularly to reduce friction and extend its service life.”
“Roller Chain” in 21 languages
| English | Roller Chain |
|---|---|
| Turkish | makara zinciri |
| French | chaîne à rouleaux |
| German | Rollenkette |
| Spanish | cadena de rodillos |
| Chinese | 滚子链 |
| Arabic | سلسلة بكرات |
| Portuguese | corrente de rolos |
| Russian | роликовая цепь |
| Japanese | ローラーチェーン |
| Italian | catena a rulli |
| Vietnamese | xích con lăn |
| Hindi | रोलर चेन |
| Thai | โซ่ลูกกลิ้ง |
| Indonesian | rantai rol |
| Korean | 롤러 체인 |
| Bengali | রোলার চেইন |
| Dutch | rollenketting |
| Swedish | rullkedja |
| Finnish | rullaketju |
| Ukrainian | роликовий ланцюг |
Frequently asked questions
What does Roller Chain mean in engineering?
A roller chain is a power transmission chain consisting of alternating roller and pin links that engage with sprocket teeth, providing efficient and positive drive in applications such as conveyors and motorcycles. In Mechanical Engineering, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Roller Chain?
Roller Chain is pronounced /ˈroʊlər tʃeɪn/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Roller Chain used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The roller chain on the conveyor system required lubrication every 500 operating hours to minimize wear.”
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