ROSTA SE 18 Swiss Automatic Elastic Tensioner

Order No.: 06 011 003 – Standard SE series maintenance-free elastic tensioning unit from ROSTA, Switzerland. Designed for constant-tension automatic tensioning, vibration damping and elongation compensation on chain, timing belt and V-belt drives. Rubber elastic core, permanently lubrication-free.

SE 18 ：2026111115180210

SE 11:   2026111115190180

✅ Basic Specifications

Weight: 0.6 kg

Central fixing thread: M10

Rubber compound: Rubmix 10 (natural rubber)

Operating temperature: -40 ℃ ~ +80 ℃

Maximum pre-tension angle: ±30° from neutral position

Travel: 50 mm

Tension (J1 standard mounting position)

10° preload: 75 N

20° preload: 185 N

30° preload: 350 N

Tightening torque MA: 49 N·m (M10, Class 8.8)

📌 SE18 Variant Models (identical footprint)

🛠️ Typical Applications

Automatic tensioning for chain drives, V-belts, timing belts and conveyor belts

Elastic loading for belt scrapers / cleaners

Conveying, packaging, woodworking, printing, agricultural machinery and fan drives

Absorb shocks, reduce polygon effect, lower noise and prevent slip; no manual periodic retensioning required

🧩 Compatible Accessories

VS 15/18: Preload limit clamp (0–15°), for precise pre-tension setting

WS 18: Mounting bracket

N-series sprocket assemblies, P chain pressure blocks, R nylon tensioning rollers

SS safety sleeve (for slippery / rough mounting surfaces)

ROSTA SE 18 (Order No.: 06 011 003) Automatic Tensioning Element

Ketten Fuchs compatible part. Standard maintenance-free rubber torsion spring tensioner from ROSTA Switzerland. Provides automatic elongation compensation and vibration damping, no lubrication required.

Basic Information

Model: SE 18

OEM Order No.: 06 011 003

Rubber compound: Rubmix 10 (natural rubber)

Operating temperature: -40 ℃ ~ +80 ℃

Material: Steel housing and inner core, blue painted finish

Weight: 0.6 kg

Working principle: Rubber torsion elastic unit, delivers constant tension torque with damping; no conventional springs or wear joints

Force & Travel Specifications

J1 mounting position (standard arm length 100 mm): Fmax = 350 N, max travel s = 50 mm

J2 mounting position (short arm 80 mm): Fmax = 440 N, max travel s = 40 mm

Overall Dimensions (mm)

SE18 Body Variants

SE 18-G (06 013 203): Oil-resistant Rubmix20, galvanized components, -30~+90℃

SE 18-W (06 015 003): Heat-resistant Rubmix40, -35~+120℃, tension 40% lower than standard SE

SE-F 18: Front flange mounting version

SE-I 18: Stainless steel version

SE-R 18: Reinforced arm version

Installation Guidelines (Chain Drives Recommended)

1. Mount on the slack side of the chain, close to the small sprocket: increases wrap angle, suppresses polygon effect and prevents jumping teeth
2. Position the swing arm roughly parallel to the chain; recommended preload angle ≤20°, preload force ≤50% of rated value
3. Installation method: Central M10 bolt friction locking. To set preload: loosen the flange, rotate the housing with a wrench to set preload, then retighten the central bolt
4. Mounting surface must be flat and rigid; optional pin anti-rotation in flange slot for dusty / harsh environments

Typical Applications

Automatic constant tensioning for roller chains, timing belts and flat belts

Conveyors, packaging machinery, woodworking, glass equipment, automated production lines

Scraper compression, idler roller floating support and low-stroke vibration damping

Troubleshooting

1. Rubber cracking / ageing: Over-temperature, oil attack or long-term operation at maximum deflection; prefer SE-G oil-resistant variant
2. Tension decay: Rubber fatigue. The ROSTA rubber insert cannot be replaced separately; replace the complete unit
3. Noise / chain jumping: Mounted on the tight side, preload angle exceeded, or large sprocket misalignment

Replacement Notes

Domestic equivalent: Multiple domestic rubber torsion tensioners marked SE18. Verify J1/J2 force rating, central M10 thread and overall dimensions. Rubber compound determines temperature and oil resistance.

Selection Table for ROSTA SE 18 (06 011 003) Compatible N-Type Tension Sprockets

N = ROSTA original bearing-equipped idler sprockets, standard double-side shielded deep groove ball bearing 6200ZZ, bore 10 mm to fit SE18 arm pin hole. Single-row S / double-row D, for ANSI / ISO roller chains

Note: SE18 maximum tension 350 N; 15 teeth preferred. Minimum meshing teeth ≥3, ≥4 teeth recommended. Install on chain slack side

Smooth Compression Rollers (RL series, no tooth engagement, for pressing outer chain plate)

Selection Constraints (Critical)

1. Upper chain limit: SE18 not recommended for chain larger than 60 (12B) single row; 80 / 16B chain requires upgrade to SE27
2. Preload angle: Max recommended deflection ≤20°, preload force ≤50% rating (≤175 N) to prevent premature rubber ageing
3. Mounting pin: SE18 arm pin diameter d=10 mm; sprocket bore 10 mm with bearing, fit directly to arm hole and lock with M10 nut
4. Velocity limit: N sprocket max linear velocity ≤2.5 m/s; select SE27 above this speed
5. Material: Standard N sprocket C45 hardened steel; stainless steel sprockets available for food / wet service; RL rollers are black wear-resistant polyurethane

Domestic Equivalent Matching Requirements for Idler Sprockets

Bore: 10 mm

Bearing: 6200ZZ

Tooth profile: ISO 8187 (DIN), avoid non-standard American tooth forms which cause jumping teeth

Overall width: Must not interfere with SE18 tension arm side plates

Tightening Torque for SE18 Central Bolt

M10 Class 8.8: 49 Nm (tensioner body fixing bolt)

Quick Selection Guide

06B / 35 → N3/8-10S

08B / 40 → N1/2-12S (SE18 preferred)

10B / 50 → N5/8-12S

12B / 60 → N3/4-12S (upper limit, careful application)

No meshing required, press chain plate → RL15/18 smooth roller

ROSTA SE Series Automatic Tensioning Elements Full Model List (Standard Units + Variants)

Series description: Rubber torsion spring maintenance-free automatic tensioners for chain and belt drives. ROSTA Switzerland, SE = main standard series. Suffixes indicate application variants; same numeric size shares identical mounting envelope, only rubber compound and surface treatment differ.

1. Standard Base Models (SE Standard, Rubmix10, -40~+80℃, blue paint)

2. Suffix Definition

SE-G: Oil-resistant grade, Rubmix20, galvanized, yellow dot mark; -30~+90℃ for oily, gearbox and outdoor environments

SE-W: High-temperature grade, Rubmix40, red dot mark; -35~+120℃; tension 40% lower than standard

SE-F: Front flange mounting, blind flange, cannot be bolted from rear; for space-restricted cabinet installation

SE-I: Stainless steel INOX (GX5CrNi19-10), food, pharma and corrosive humid service

SE-R: Reinforced swing arm, white ring mark; engines, compressors, shock-load duty

SE-B (Boomerang): Dual-arm boomerang style, bi-directional tensioning for special belt circuits

SE-FE: Reinforced flange version, engine dedicated fixing design

3. Variants by Size

SE 11 Variants

SE 11 (Standard)｜SE 11-G (Oil-resistant)

No standard factory SE11-W / SE11-I / SE11-R

SE 15 Variants

SE 15｜SE 15-G｜SE 15-W｜SE-F 15｜SE-I 15｜SE-R 15

SE 18 Variants (Your target model)

SE 18 (06 011 003)｜SE 18-G (06 013 203)｜SE 18-W (06 015 003)｜SE-F 18｜SE-I 18｜SE-R 18 (06 011 703)

SE 27 Variants

SE 27｜SE 27-G｜SE 27-W｜SE-F 27｜SE-I 27｜SE-R 27

SE 38 Variants

SE 38｜SE 38-G｜SE 38-W｜SE-F 38｜SE-I 38｜SE-R 38

SE 45 Variants

SE 45｜SE 45-G｜SE 45-W｜SE-F 45｜SE-I 45｜SE-R 45

SE 50 Variants

SE 50｜SE 50-G｜SE 50-W｜SE-F 50｜SE-I 50

4. Compatible Accessories (Not SE body units)
5. N-series tension idler sprockets (N3/8, N1/2, N5/8, N3/4, N1″, single S / double D)
6. RL-series smooth polyurethane compression rollers (RL11, RL15/18, RL27, RL38)
7. SES / VS / SV: Preload adjustment tools
8. Chain slide pads, guide blocks, angle brackets
9. Quick Selection Notes
10. Same numeric size (e.g. SE18 / SE18-G / SE18-W): identical outline and mounting hole geometry, only rubber compound and coating differ; direct interchangeable
11. SE-W high-temperature version has 40% reduced tension; select one size up during design
12. SE-I stainless steel: Higher cost, same force rating as standard, food & pharma use
13. SE-R reinforced arm: For shock loads; not recommended for normal chain conveyors due to premium cost
14. SE-F flange version: Different mounting interface; cannot directly replace center-thread SE standard units
15. Other ROSTA Elastic Units (Not SE series, easy to confuse)

DR, AB, AD-P, AS-P, MB, ST, DK series. These are swing supports, vibration isolators and motor mounts, not automatic chain / belt tensioners. Do not mix up with SE series.