Chain Sprocket Hobs
CTI roller-chain sprocket hobs are supplied to ANSI, BS, IS or any other standard, with ground or unground profiles and in topping or non-topping designs, single-start or multi-start (also called single- or multi-thread). They are made in M2, M35, ASP 2030, ASP 2052, ASP 2060, S290 and S390 high-speed steels (conventional and powder-metallurgy) with TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, AlCrN (Alcrona) and Altensa PVD coatings and supplied by CTI-USA with a typical lead time of 6–8 weeks.
Types of chain sprocket hobs
| Type | Application | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Single-thread hobs | Low- to medium-volume precision work | Most accurate tooth form |
| Multi-thread hobs | High-volume sprocket production | Higher table feed, shorter cycle time |
| Custom hobs | Non-standard pitch, roller diameter or tooth form | Built to your sprocket drawing |
Ground-profile hobs are specified when sprocket accuracy and finish matter; unground hobs are an economical choice for general-purpose sprockets.
Applications
- Automotive and powersports: drive and timing sprockets.
- Agriculture: sprockets for harvesting and material-handling equipment.
- Industrial machinery: conveyor and drive sprockets in manufacturing and assembly equipment.
Why buy CTI tooling through CTI-USA
- Ground or unground, your call. We quote both profiles so you can match hob cost to the sprocket accuracy the application needs.
- One manufacturer, every gear cutting tool. Hobs, shaper cutters, power skiving cutters, broaches and milling cutters from Capital Tool Industries, a single ISO 9001 source in Patiala, India, so profiles and tolerances are consistent across your process.
- Materials and coatings that fit the job. M2, M35, ASP 2030, ASP 2052, ASP 2060, S290 and S390 high-speed steels (conventional and powder-metallurgy); TiN, TiCN, TiAlN, AlCrN (Alcrona) and Altensa PVD coatings. Our engineers recommend the combination for your workpiece, hardness and volume. Properly specified coatings typically extend tool life 3–8× compared with uncoated tools.
- Inspection you can read. Each tool is measured on Klingelnberg equipment and ships with its report.
- US-based support. Prints, technical questions and quotes are handled from Hudson, Ohio (Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–5:00 pm Eastern); we reply within one business day. Typical lead time is 6–8 weeks.
- Resharpening and recoating. We arrange resharpening and recoating of hobs, shaper cutters and broaches of any make, so you get the full regrind life out of every one.
Estimate your cycle time
Sprocket hobbing follows the same arithmetic as gear hobbing. Use the free hobbing cycle-time estimator to compare single- and multi-thread options, then request a quote from the result.
Send us a print
Email a part drawing or tool drawing to sales@cti-usa.co or use the request-a-quote form (PDF, DWG, DXF, STEP, IGES or an image, up to 8 MB through the request form; larger files by email (ask for a transfer link over 20 MB)). Tell us the chain standard and pitch, roller diameter, tooth-count range, sprocket material, and annual volume, and we will recommend a tool steel and coating with the quote. We reply within one business day; typical lead time is 6–8 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
What is a chain sprocket hob?
A hob whose tooth form generates the tooth space of a roller-chain sprocket. One hob covers a range of tooth counts for a given chain pitch and roller diameter.
Which chain standards do you cover?
ANSI (ASA), BS, IS and DIN roller chain, plus custom pitches and roller diameters to your drawing.
Ground or unground profile?
Ground profiles give the most accurate sprocket form and finish and are recommended for precision drives. Unground hobs are an economical choice for general-purpose sprockets.
Single-thread or multi-thread?
Single-thread hobs give the most accurate tooth form. Multi-thread hobs cut faster and are used for high-volume production where the sprocket tolerance allows.
Related pages and guides
Send us a print and we will get started.
Our engineers will recommend the tool steel and coating for your job and quote it. Typical lead time 6–8 weeks.