Types Of Conveyor Rollers
Along with different types of conveyor systems designed to move different products, there are also different types of conveyor rollers. Conveyor systems get products from point A to point B and minimize labor costs and improve production efficiency. Almost every industry makes use of conveyor systems from aggregate industries to food processing to mail service to packing and distribution. Conveyor rollers make the movement possible and are a main reason why conveyors are so convenient and useful. But just as there are many varieties of conveyor systems, there are many types of rollers as well. This article takes a look at a few of the choices and what they can be used for.
Gravity Rollers
Gravity rollers are excellent conveyor rollers for heavier items. They are not powered and can be set at an incline to keep products moving or be pushed along manually. Because they are more low-tech, these gravity fed conveyors also cost less than powered conveyors. This can be a boost for companies that don't need a high-speed conveyor system and would like to save money. Gravity rollers are great for all types of products and applications and are used by many industries and larger corporations, especially for packing and distribution. They allow products and parts to accumulate at the end of a line, which some industries require. An alternative to gravity rollers are skate wheel rollers. These are applied often in shipping and loading and are especially useful for lightweight or small products that only need to go a short distance. Also, some products may slip between rollers but will stay on top of wheels.
High Speed Rollers
As the name implies, these conveyor rollers are made for powered conveyors. High speed rollers reduce noise, and they can save money by preserving the life of the conveyor system for longer periods of time. Bearing caps, conductive bushing, and crimped tube ends contribute to the efficiency of these rollers, while sprockets and grooves work for chain driven conveyors and fixed shafts. If time is the name of the game, then high speed rollers are a better choice than gravity rollers.
Zero Pressure Accumulating Rollers
These conveyor rollers are an automated alternative to gravity rollers. As the name suggests, zero pressure rollers prevent pressure build up when products accumulate and remain stationary for a while.
Flexible Rollers
Flexible rollers are in fact flexible. They are designed to travel and expand and are user-friendly. These conveyor rollers work by attaching one end of the rollers to the conveyor system and then expanding the other end to handle the products. Flexible rollers are often used for shipping and receiving of packages.
There are other types of conveyor rollers as well, including grooved rollers, corrosion resistant rollers, and chain driven rollers. Some are designed for heavy loads, others for lighter weight products. Choosing the perfect rollers for your conveyor system depends on your product and your production setup. Whether you need speed, efficiency, or any thing else, there are rollers available to meet your production needs.
