What are the most important components or technologies in the modern industrial workplace? If you had to make a list of the top ten, what would your list include? We suspect your list might include things like programmable logic controllers (PLCs), robots, electric motors, and other types of advanced automation technologies.

There’s one critical industrial component that probably didn’t make your list, though: the humble chain. When we think of chains, our minds might travel to medieval dungeons or childhood bicycle races. Indeed, chains have been around a long time, so they probably don’t seem “cutting edge” to most people thinking about industrial technologies.

Nevertheless, chains remain a key part of the industrial workplace. Their unique characteristics make them particularly suitable for a wide variety of industrial applications, from lifting and pulling to transferring power in many different types of machines.

In fact, chains are still in high demand throughout industry and soon they will be manufactured at a new facility in Alabama. According to a recent WRBL article by Jazmine Mills, “German-based chain manufacturing company, KettenWulf, is set to open a new operation in Auburn…[and] plans to invest approximately $34 million and create an estimated 70 new jobs.”

The family-owned company “specializes in engineering conveyor chains, drive chains and sprockets that serve a wide variety of industrial products.” Mills notes that “KettenWulf’s products provide solutions for mining, steelmaking, bulk-material handling, manufacturing and other specialty industries.”

The new KettenWulf chain manufacturing facility in Alabama will require highly skilled workers who know everything there is to know about chains and sprockets, as well as their operation and maintenance. This type of knowledge is also valuable in many types of positions throughout a wide variety of industries.

For example, a wide variety of different types of chains are used throughout industry. It’s important for industrial maintenance technicians to learn how to operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair multiple types of chains.

That’s why DAC Worldwide offers training tools designed to help industrial maintenance technicians become familiar with chains, chain drives, and sprockets:

• DAC Worldwide’s Chain Drive Training System Plus (223-PAC) provides in-depth training in industrial chain drives, heavy/silent chains, and sprocket set usage. Using a welded aluminum driver and actual industrial hardware, learners receive a complete introduction to chain nomenclature, assembly, disassembly, alignment, and maintenance. Industrial-grade components include several chain types, connecting links, attachment chain samples, sprockets, bushings, and applicable tools.
• DAC Worldwide’s Chain Sample Board (838-PAC) is an introductory hands-on teaching aid, designed to supplement courses in chain selection and maintenance. It includes samples of eight industrial-quality chains for users to learn to identify.

Be sure to check out DAC Worldwide’s other mechanical training tools and contact a DAC Worldwide representative to learn how you can improve your training today!