Types Of Conveyor Roller And Their Functions

21 Feb.,2024

 

Types Of Conveyor Roller And Their Functions

The most essential part of a conveyor system is the type of conveyor roller that is being used. Several rollers are needed in various manufacturing and packaging.

The most essential part of a conveyor system is the type of conveyor roller that is being used. Several rollers are needed in various manufacturing and packaging.

 

In the assembling of these conveyor rollers, different kinds of materials are exploited such as metallic, elastic, or plastic, based on their use in average manufacturing activities.

 

The use of conveyor rollers is essential combined with the nature of the environment and workplace that it is to be used.

 

A wide range of stores; are available where you can buy conveyor rollers in the market, also have it in mind that different suppliers sell high-quality conveyor rollers but, the best grade of these products would be those purchases from trustworthy manufacture.

 

 

Use Of Conveyor Rollers

A roller conveyor structure can be modified to work with a range of extra kits. Despite the nature of the products being transported, high-quality roller conveyors are normally employed in warehouse or manufacturing companies to transfer products from one position to the other.

 

You can buy conveyor rollers which are made of mild steel, galvanized, acrylic, or treated steel.

 

High-quality conveyor rollers are regularly applied in different industries, mostly manufacturing and logistics as a result of their flexibility of usage.

 

Numerous enterprises use roller conveyor and they include; Food handling, Packaging, Logistics, Mail delivery services, Baggage handling, Steelmaking.

 

There are different types of Conveyor rollers but the Specific roller conveyor types are listed below. 

 

1. Gravity Conveyor Roller

The Gravity conveyor roller is a casing, which supports free revolving rollers and utilizes gravity to slide the material.

 

Average to lightweight items can be conveniently conveyed with this conveyor and it is a conservative arrangement as it doesn't require an engine. It tends to be made with plastic aluminum and steel.

 

2. Covered Conveyor Rollers

The high-quality conveyor rollers that are protected with elastic or plastic are known as Covered conveyor rollers, they are generally used in the paper assembling and metal rolling and printing industry.

 

The covered type of rollers incorporates granulating through the covering material with a basic high extent of grip for better execution.

 

3. Free Spinning Conveyor Roller

These rollers are bearing-loaded and made with a coordinated free turn ability. The rollers are suitable for making conveyor belts support system, as well as for applications in areas that require severely adaptable rotational presentation and low friction.

 

They are used to help the belt underneath the transports and have heading embedded into the finishes that permit free turning of the roller.

 

4. Mechanized Conveyor Roller

Mechanized roller conveyor or engine-driven roller conveyor can be integrated straight into the conveyor and are used to handle materials automatically.  

 

Where energy consumption, quiet operation and ease of maintenance is the main target, mechanized conveyors are an excellent choice.

 

In this class, the rollers are packed with control drums to help regulate the speed and flow of the items under-transportation.

 

Sorting and analyzing materials can be done automatically throughout the whole cycle of transportation with the mechanized zone.

 

Conclusion

The conveyor roller system is adaptable and adjustable, it tends to be effectively dismantled and moved without any problem.

The ultimate application of the roller conveyor is to move products from one spot to another.

For the best working experience, while using the conveyor roller system, it is best to partner with a professional manufacturer that will ensure that you have only a high-quality conveyor roller.

 

Conveyor rollers and how they work

Conveyor rollers are cylindrical parts incorporated in the upper part of a conveyor frame to facilitate the movement of goods. The purpose of roller conveyors is to speed up the transport of products between two or more areas of a warehouse or production center.

A roller conveyor is an automatic internal transport element dedicated to the movement, accumulation, and distribution of goods to specific locations. These static systems can be made up of a set of rollers, chains, or both.

Conveyor roller applications

Conveyor rollers are galvanized steel components with precision bearings that serve to move loads. With a standard spacing of about 6" between each roller, conveyors ensure continuous, safe flows of goods between different areas of a warehouse or between production and storage zones.

This is the case of multinational packaging solutions company ALPLA. The business’s logistics complex in Golborne, England, consists of two buildings — one dedicated to manufacturing and the other to storage. These two structures, however, are separated by a public road. ALPLA turned to conveyors to gain efficiency in transferring pallets between the two areas. “We needed a system that would connect both buildings and automatically move the goods from the production plant to the warehouse. We wanted to do away with manual handling and the use of heavy vehicles,” says Liam Grimwood, UK Plant Engineering Manager at ALPLA. The double roller conveyor line installed by the Mecalux Group works 24/7, ensuring daily transfers of around 2,500 pallets.

Conveyors are flexible solutions adaptable to the needs of each customer

The diameter and length of the conveyor rollers can vary depending on the unit load to be handled: pallets, boxes, or containers. To move Euro pallets, for example, each roller should measure 3" in diameter.

The characteristics of conveyor rollers make this type of solution suitable for facilities run at ambient, refrigerated, and frozen temps. Thus, the logistics center of Congelados de Navarra in Fustiñana, Spain, uses roller conveyors to move goods among different areas, e.g., to the entry to the freezer warehouse and under the sorting lines.

How do roller conveyors work?

The versatility of this logistics solution means it’s possible to create configurations adapted to the needs of each customer, the warehouse layout design, the type of unit load handled, and the logistics processes in place.

Conveyor lines can also integrate other logistics solutions, such as full pallet stackers (to change the pallet type or stabilize the base of defective pallets) or lifts (to move goods vertically and overcome height distances).

Most conveyors incorporate a control system that guides the movement of goods. (The exceptions are plug & play conveyors, which don’t require any programming). In automated logistics facilities, a warehouse management system (WMS) coordinates the execution of the conveyor movement together with the rest of the automatic elements operating in the center.

Different types of roller conveyors

Conveyors incorporate multiple elements that can be coupled and combined according to route or unit load. These are the three kinds of roller conveyors most typically found in warehouses and production centers:

Powered roller conveyor: static internal transport element with a battery of rollers that move goods in a straight line. This automatic conveying system is used to cover long distances. It’s outfitted with electric motors that propel the pallets or boxes, supplying the different areas of a facility nonstop.

Turntable conveyor: roller system that lets you change the direction of the goods flow. This solution is used to adapt the conveyor line to the layout of the warehouse or the route to be designed.

Cross transfer conveyor (with rollers and chains): module combining rollers and chains, mainly used to change the direction and orientation of pallets. For this system to work properly, the chain segment of the conveyor must be 2" higher than the roller segment.

Although these are the most common conveyor solutions, they can also be combined with other elements, e.g., incline conveyors, hydraulic tables, and lifts to connect different levels

Mecalux roller conveyors speed up the movement of boxes in CCV’s warehouse

Examples of roller conveyors

The Mecalux Group has designed and implemented roller conveyors in numerous facilities. Let’s check out three examples:

CCV (France). Mecalux equipped the logistics center of this multi-brand fashion retailer with a roller conveyor for boxes to streamline the movement of over 20,000 products a day. “Our priority was to shorten the distances that operators traveled because, with the time gained, they could concentrate on other tasks that would have an effect on the productivity of the entire facility,” says Michel Gladstein, CEO of CCV. The conveyors automatically link the picking and consolidation areas to improve the warehouse’s throughput. “By using conveyors, we’ve ramped up our productivity: our processes are much quicker and more reliable,” says Gladstein.

EcoWipes (Poland). The roller conveyors bidirectionally connect the logistics facility with the production center to ensure a constant flow of goods to the production lines: “The conveyors have significantly reduced the time used to carry out logistics operations, such as the supply of the manufacturing area and the receipt of products from the production lines,” says Michał Kulczyński, Supply Chain Director at EcoWipes. In designing this project, the Mecalux technical team had to build a raised, covered bridge to be able to send materials across a busy street.

Finieco (Portugal). Mecalux built a technological solution to efficiently cope with demand peaks in the automated warehouse of Finieco, one of Europe’s largest paper bag manufacturers. A conveyor connects production with the storage area, speeding up daily transfers of 240 pallets arriving from the manufacturing plant. Joining these two zones by conveyor has enabled Finieco to cut costs and ensure continuous product flows.

 

 

Conveyor rollers: structural elements for moving goods

Conveyor rollers are a key element in transferring materials between two or more areas of a warehouse: they guarantee the proper functioning of conveyors. This automatic internal transport solution is extremely versatile, as the diameter of the rollers and the configuration of the conveyor line can be customized to match your particular needs.

At Interlake Mecalux, we have extensive experience designing and installing conveyors for all kinds of customers. Our solutions have boosted the productivity of multiple warehouses around the world. Interested in improving your throughput when it comes to product movements? Don’t hesitate to contact us. One of our expert consultants will advise you on the best solution for your company.

RollVen

ROLLERS WITH IMPACT MOLDED ROLLS

Rollers with impact molded rolls damper shocks caused by material falling and avoid belt damage. Non-abrasive molded rubber rolls are flush fitted on the rollers and fixed to the ends with stop rings. The narrow molded rolls width gives greater belt surface contact and reduces wear and tear. Spare molded rolls are available on request.

NON-GRIP ROLLERS WITH TYPE

Sticky transported material accumulates on regular roller sleeves and causes strong belt banking. Molded rubber disc rolls placed on the rollers prevent this from happening. With complex systems, it is often necessary to give more support to belt edges. This can be done by adding a molded disc rolls at each end.

NON-GRIP ROLLERS WITH TYPE “B” MOLDED DISC ROLLS

These rollers operate like Type A non-grip rollers. However, they can tackle more difficult tasks. Adding end molded couplings supports belt edges, keeps it in place as it tends to arch. The supported belt edges keep it from swaying and therefore ensure longer belt life.

NON-GRIP ROLLERS WITH MOLDED RUBBER SPIRALS SG

Type SG Rollers with molded rubber spirals function the same way as molded disc rolls rollers. They also keep the belt clean and centered. Two non-abrasive molded rubber couplings are fitted on the roller with a left-right molded spiral and blocked at the ends with stop rings. Belt cleaning is by an Archimedian screw effect which rotates the roller and expels material from the sides. The molded spiral also keeps the belt centered through its motion.

NON-GRIP ROLLERS WITH STEEL SPIRALS SA

Type SA steel spiral rollers function the same way as molded disc rolls rollers. They also keep the belt clean and centered. Spiral rods are welded on the opposite right and left ends directly on the casing. Belt cleaning is by an Archimedian screw effect which rotates the roller and expels material from the sides. The spiral also keeps the belt centered through its motion.

CANTILEVER ROLLERS (BELT GUIDE)

Belt guide rollers are available in the GAMMA, DELTA, SIGMA, OMEGA series. Generally used as belt guides, conveyor retaining rollers, flow brackets and components for 2 roll trougher stations.

2-ROLL TROUGHER STATIONS

2-Roll trougher Stations support the top conveyor belt run. These stations are made with series 800 and 400 supports which are shaped, extremely sturdy, and functional. The supports are made of cold pressed steel shaped to keep the material from wedging between the rotating roller parts and its support.

3-ROLL TROUGHER STATIONS

3 Roll trougher stations support the top conveyor belt run. These stations are made with series 700 and 500 supports which are shaped, extremely sturdy and functional. The supports are made of cold pressed steel shaped to keep the material from wedging between the rotating roller parts and its support. The central supports give a minimum space between rollers to ensure longer belt life.

SELF-CENTERING FLAT STATIONS

Self-centering return stations have the same characteristics as the simple return stations. However they also support slight belt banking and help the belt return on its correct track during operation. They can also be equipped with side belt guide rollers.

CANTILEVER GROUPS

Cantilevered groups with two rollers support top conveyor belt run. These cantilevered groups are made with specifically designed supports which incline the rollers by 20° or 25°. They are shaped, extremely sturdy, functional and have perforated anchor plate. The supports are made of cold pressed steel plate which are shaped to block the two opposite cantilever rollers.

HANGING ROLLER GROUP

Hanging roller groups have Omega series rollers connected by swinging steel plates hung at both ends. Different hooking options are available depending on the needs.

CONVEYOR BELT SCRAPER

HIGHT QUALITY BLADES for long term durability and perfect maintenance of the belt MAXIMUM CLEANING Very high level of cleaning even for resinous or tacky materials. DURABILITY Due to the adoption of blades made of an extremely hard alloy, an extended life can be achieved along with the elimina tion of intermediate maintenance. ELASTICITY & SECURITY elastic support, a perfect adherence to the surface of the belt is achieved along with an automatic disengagement due to abnormal resistance from oreign objects embedded in the belt. INSTALLATION Easy installation on existing frames. LOW COST Elimination of high maintenance requirements, extremely low downtime required for blades replacement. ANTI-ADHESION Materials removed do not accumulate on the blade holder because of their vertical position and the stresses and vibration of the elastic damper. INSTALLATION GUIDELINES The belt speed must be between 36 and 197 inches. (1 & 5 meters) per second. The cleaner is not compatible with metallic fastners or mechanical joints. The elastic rubber blocks are suitable for use in ambient temperatures between -9°F and +176°F (-25°C and +80°C)