EVO-TECH
Precision-driven, globally optimized—customized for cost efficiency.
Evo-Tech masters both standard and custom rigid chains.
Linear Drive Solutions
Standard / Custom
In industrial automation, the precision and adaptability of linear drives are at the heart of efficiency. Evo-Tech is deeply committed to advancing rigid-chain technology, leveraging industry insights and innovation to become a trusted expert in the field. We firmly believe that exceptional products not only meet standards but also deliver lasting value.
● Standardization, accelerating efficiency
Evo-Tech's standardized rigid chain has been proven both technically and in the market, while its modular design allows for rapid customization of solutions based on parameters like load capacity and stroke length—ensuring efficient production line operation and helping businesses stay focused on their core competencies.
● Customization, tailored to meet your needs
Standard products often fall short when it comes to addressing specific pain points in diverse scenarios. Evo-Tech’s custom services are meticulously tailored by engineers who deeply analyze customer needs, offering personalized solutions—from product selection to seamless integration. These bespoke solutions are perfectly suited for challenging environments, such as extreme spaces or handling unique payloads, making Evo-Tech the reliable "invisible assistant" that keeps production lines running smoothly.
Reduce costs / Increase efficiency
In today’s competitive market, "reducing costs and boosting efficiency" is the core pursuit of every enterprise. Evo-Tech’s rigid-chain lifting technology, with its unique design and outstanding performance, has become the ideal linear drive solution for companies looking to cut overall costs—because we don’t just deliver products; we provide scientifically optimized cost solutions as well.
● Customized design is the core engine, leveraging rigid-chain customization capabilities to deliver multi-dimensional value:
● Optimized space: Compact design reduces footprint, indirectly lowering facility costs;
● Enhance efficiency: Precisely synchronize process rhythms to minimize energy consumption and idle time, boosting overall output.
● Enhanced reliability: Customized structures and materials are tailored to match operating conditions, reducing failures, maintenance costs, and downtime losses.
● Simplified integration: Seamlessly connects with existing systems, reducing integration and secondary development costs;
● Extending Lifespan: Balancing future expansion needs with compatibility and scalability, while avoiding redundant investments.
Choose Evo-Tech’s customized rigid chains—and unlock a higher return on investment, ensuring that every dollar you put in translates directly into production efficiency.
Structural Features & Operating Principle
01
What is rigid-chain technology?
A rigid chain is a specialized mechanical transmission component whose operating principle relies primarily on its unique structural design and mechanical properties. By interlocking chain links, it forms a rigid, column-like structure that enables heavy-load vertical or horizontal movement. During retraction, the chain links unlock and fold compactly, minimizing installation space.
02
Structural features of rigid chains
Link Plate Design: Evo-Tech rigid chain plates feature unique shapes with driving wheels and guide rollers. Locking Mechanism: A shoulder-groove system interlocks adjacent links under compression, transforming the chain into a rigid, load-bearing column.
03
The operating principle of a rigid chain
Drive and Guide: The rigid chain is driven by the gearbox, which houses a drive sprocket and a guide plate.
The guide plate ensures that the chain is already in a vertical position as it leaves the drive sprocket, while the chain on the non-load-bearing side remains horizontal.
Folding and Storage: The stress-free chain located outside the drive retains the typical bending properties of a regular chain, making it easy to fold and store.
Four Core Features
More than just "up" and "down"
Vertical Lifting
EVO-TECH rigid chains deliver powerful, stable vertical lifting for loads from kilograms to tons and travels from centimeters to meters. They are widely used in material handling, automation, and stage systems.
Horizontal sliding
Evo-Tech rigid chains handle both heavy lifting and precise horizontal push-pull operations. Their rigid structure ensures high accuracy and stability for material transfer and positioning, making them ideal for automated assembly and logistics systems.
Suspension lifting
Evo-Tech rigid chains enable overhead conveying and positioning, efficiently utilizing vertical space to save floor area. Ideal for long-distance transport and automated systems, they create a more three-dimensional and efficient production layout.
Lifting + Pushing-Pulling + Suspension Composite Motion
Evo-Tech rigid chains perform multi-axis combined motions, integrating lifting, push-pull, and overhead conveying for automated tasks like workpiece flipping and multi-station transfer, expanding process possibilities.
Evo-Tech Transmission
FAQ
The service life of Evo-Tech rigid chains is ensured by a combination of multiple technological advantages; some product series can withstand up to 1 million reciprocating cycles. Its longevity is primarily reflected in the following core dimensions:
Materials and Process Assurance;
Structural design optimization;
Enhanced environmental adaptability;
Maintainability Support
Evo-Tech rigid chains feature arbitrary stop-position functionality, high positioning accuracy, and rapid response, making them suitable for multi-station, multi-cycle scenarios. To achieve millimeter-level precision control, it is recommended to prioritize the use of servo motor closed-loop systems that provide real-time feedback on position and speed. If cost considerations are a priority, a three-phase induction motor paired with a high-precision rotary encoder can be employed, with speed control via a frequency inverter and position closed-loop control, also achieving a repeat positioning accuracy within ±1 mm.
Evo-Tech rigid chains offer repeat positioning accuracy of ±0.2 mm, meeting the stringent requirements of high-cycle, multi-station automated production lines for precise and consistent stopping. The chain body is made from high-strength alloy steel, featuring minimal pitch errors and exceptional inherent rigidity; ultimately, the precision performance depends primarily on the drive unit. When equipped with high-resolution absolute-value servo motors, the repeat positioning error can be consistently kept within the standard tolerance range. Alternatively, by using a three-phase motor paired with an incremental encoder system and employing microstepping technology, comparable precision can also be achieved.
During vertical lifting, Evo-Tech rigid chains allow linear deviations of millimeter-level per meter of travel, with a total cumulative deviation not exceeding twenty millimeters over the entire stroke. This specification comprehensively takes into account factors such as chain pitch, rail straightness, and temperature rise effects. In actual operation, by pre-tightening the guide grooves and using adjustable support brackets, the errors can be kept within the allowable range without the need for additional compensation mechanisms, thus meeting the operational requirements of most high-cycle automated production lines for smooth and precise lifting.
The standard model of Evo-Tech rigid chain does not include a mechanical self-locking mechanism; therefore, under power failure, the load may slide down. If you need to maintain the load in a suspended position, you must select a worm gear reducer with bidirectional self-locking at the drive end or add an additional brake. The selection must be matched to the load and speed. Please submit the operating condition parameters, installation method, and required hold-time during power failure to our technical support team. We will provide a complete solution that includes torque verification, braking capacity, and wiring diagrams to ensure system safety.
The standard model of Evo-Tech rigid chains is delivered from the factory without any integrated braking devices, and the chain itself does not feature a mechanical self-locking mechanism. If the load needs to be suspended or brought to an emergency stop, a hydraulic brake must be externally connected to the drive unit side; reliable braking is achieved by releasing pressure in the normally closed oil circuit to engage the brake.
The Evo-Tech rigid-link chain features high-strength alloy steel pins and teeth that provide excellent impact resistance and wear resistance. The chain itself has no special limitations regarding frequent starts and stops. The actual allowable start-up frequency depends on the thermal capacity of the drive motor, the lubrication method of the gearbox, and the heat dissipation capability of the brake. It is recommended to calculate the equivalent current and temperature rise of the motor based on the load cycle diagram. If necessary, install forced cooling or increase the power rating to ensure continuous and reliable operation under all operating conditions.
When multiple rigid chains are linked and operated in tandem, the primary requirement is to ensure synchronous control: All drives must be connected to the same bus and configured using a master-slave or virtual master-axis approach, enabling real-time exchange of position, velocity, and torque data. The periodic error must be less than half the chain pitch. Secondly, it’s crucial to strictly control uneven loading: Before installation, uniformly calibrate the zero points, and use a laser level to verify the straightness of the guide rails.
The maximum stroke indicated in the load table represents the ultimate stroke allowable for this model under its rated operating conditions. This value has been comprehensively determined by taking into account factors such as chain strength, rail stiffness, and thermal expansion. Exceeding this value may result in a reduced safety factor, increased risk of resonance, and potentially trigger limit-switch protection shutdowns. If your project indeed requires a longer stroke, please be sure to first submit the load, speed, cycle time, and environmental parameters to our company’s Technical Department. We will evaluate, based on actual measurement data, whether it is feasible to customize an enhanced rail, add intermediate supports, or adopt a dual-chain synchronization solution. We will then provide you with a new load curve and installation drawings to ensure the system remains safe and reliable throughout its entire service life.
In addition to the standard load table, extended stroke lengths can be provided upon request. However, this may require recalculating the load curve, adding intermediate supports, or switching to enhanced guide rails, and could also impose limitations on speed and cycle time. Please provide our technical department with information on stroke length, load capacity, usage frequency, and installation method. We will then prepare a verification report and a customized solution. Production will only proceed after we confirm the feasibility of your requirements.
The operating noise of Evo-Tech rigid chains under rated conditions ranges from 45 to 80 dB(A), with the value varying in tandem with the chain’s linear speed and the number of layers in the housing: at low speeds and single-layer configurations, the noise level is closer to the lower limit; at high speeds and multi-layer configurations, it approaches the upper limit. If the site is sensitive to noise, please contact our technical staff for customized solutions.
Evo-Tech rigid chains are driven by DC motors. Simply match the DC motor with the appropriate voltage level and power, and use a gearbox to reduce speed and increase torque to meet load requirements. The DC solution is ideal for battery-powered applications or scenarios requiring stepless speed regulation. However, please note: prolonged operation at full load necessitates the installation of a cooling fan; emergency stop or power-off holding functions require an additional brake; and if closed-loop positioning is needed, an encoder feedback device can be added.
Evo-Tech rigid chains can be specially customized according to requirements for cross-sectional dimensions, stroke, mounting interfaces, and protection ratings. Please submit the load, speed, space constraints, and environmental parameters to our company; our technical service personnel can provide 3D models, load verification, and delivery timelines.
Evo-Tech standard lifting chains prioritize resistance to compression, retaining only a certain percentage of tensile margin relative to the rated load, which is used to counteract inertia or minor reverse forces. If the operating conditions require continuous tension, frequent pushing and pulling, or vertical lifting, it is essential to select specially designed tensile-rated models: Evo-Tech push-pull chains feature a bi-directional meshing tooth profile, with tensile strength equivalent to their compressive strength. Please provide information on the direction, peak value, and frequency of the tensile force; our technical department will match the appropriate model and issue a detailed calculation report to ensure safety and reliability throughout the entire service life.
Evo-Tech offers a mature series of vertical pin-tooth lifting chains: one features a compact vertical housing with the motor and gearbox arranged vertically, occupying minimal space and easy to integrate; the other comes with built-in rails, allowing the chain to move up and down along a closed track without the need for additional guides, making installation and commissioning faster. Both designs maintain high rigidity and low backlash in the pin-tooth mechanism, and can be customized according to load, stroke, and space constraints.
The Evo-Tech rigid-chain housing supports a disc-winding layout, allowing the chain to be wound in multiple layers along horizontal or vertical discs, thus achieving both ultra-long stroke and minimal footprint. This structure requires a re-calculation of the disc diameter, number of layers, and lateral pressure, and must be paired with dedicated chain dividers, tension arms, and wear-resistant spacer rings to prevent cross-interference.
The Evo-Tech rigid chain must be equipped with a guiding mechanism under vertical lifting conditions. Although the chain boasts high rigidity, its lateral bending resistance is limited. Without guidance, it is prone to swaying under the influence of eccentric loads, wind loads, or acceleration, leading to misalignment of tooth engagement, accelerated wear, and even jamming. Guiding grooves or rails can restrict lateral displacement, ensuring precise tooth meshing and extending service life. For horizontal push-pull applications or arrangements close to horizontal, the need for guidance can be reduced accordingly; however, we still recommend installing lateral limiters. Please provide specific installation angles, load conditions, and dynamic impacts, and our company will select an appropriate guiding solution and provide layout drawings.
Evo-Tech rigid chains have no restrictions on motor types—both AC and DC servos, stepper motors, three-phase asynchronous motors, permanent-magnet synchronous motors, and even hydraulic motors can be driven, as long as the torque, speed, and mounting interface are properly matched. When selecting a specific model, it’s essential to comprehensively consider factors such as load inertia, positioning accuracy, response speed, operating environment, and power supply conditions: For high-precision applications, servo motors or closed-loop stepper motors are recommended; for heavy-load, low-speed applications, a variable-frequency three-phase motor equipped with an encoder is a good choice; and for outdoor environments, DC brushless motors or hydraulic drives are suitable options.
Evo-Tech rigid-chain reducers have no strict requirements regarding their installation location or orientation; they can be flexibly arranged according to actual operating conditions and space constraints. The design of the reducer has thoroughly taken into account force balance and motion synchronization. During installation, simply ensure that the reducer base is firmly seated against the supporting surface to prevent displacement caused by vibration. Additionally, the diameter of the lifting chain output shaft must match that of the load-end connector.
The diameter of the output shaft can be customized according to requirements, provided that such customization remains within the constraints imposed by factors such as structural strength, bearing life, and sealing configuration. For extended, thickened, or specially shaped end faces, the torsional stiffness and dynamic balance must be recalculated. If necessary, the dimensions of the housing and keyway parameters should also be adjusted accordingly. Before proceeding with customization, please provide information on load characteristics, installation space, and interface standards. Our engineers will evaluate feasibility and propose an optimized solution to ensure that performance and reliability are both maximized.
Consult now and embark on your smart-driven journey.
Are you struggling with specific material-handling challenges? Are you looking for a more efficient and cost-effective linear drive solution? Would you like to discover how rigid chains can be tailored to your production processes, delivering tangible improvements in efficiency and profitability? Don’t hesitate any longer—contact Evo-Tech’s team of expert consultants today.
Free Solution Consultation
No matter what stage your project is in, we’re happy to provide you with an initial technical discussion and offer solution recommendations.
Rapid prototype validation (depending on the project requirements)
For some complex or innovative applications, we can assist with concept design and preliminary validation.
Full-process technical support
From initial requirement analysis through solution design and manufacturing to on-site installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance, Evo-Tech will provide you with end-to-end technical support throughout the entire lifecycle.