What is Conveyor Roller Supplier and Why Do We Use Them?

30 Dec.,2024

 

Conveyor rollers and how they work - Interlake Mecalux

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.

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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.

Roller Conveyors Explained - Understanding Their ...

Roller conveyors are a significant part of streamlining the efficiency and productivity of material handling operations. In this article, we&#;ll look at the three basic types of roller conveyors and explore their construction, function within various industries, common applications, and additional criteria for consideration.

Basic Roller Conveyor Construction

The roller conveyor uses a series of rollers in a frame to transport material from one point to another within a manufacturing setting. The driving force may either be gravity or electrically powered, and the entire system is designed to move large volumes of heavy goods with minimal effort. Compared to other types of conveyors, roller conveyors offer flexibility to handle assorted sizes and shapes of goods, scalability for use within different operations, and efficiency in energy consumption and space utilization.

The three basic types of roller conveyors have their own structural features.

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The gravity roller conveyor has a simple, non-motorized design that comes in a horizontal plane or gently sloped decline.

The belt-driven live roller is essentially a gravity roller powered by a belt running in the opposite direction of the rollers, capable of stopping or stalling the product while the belt continues to move.

Finally, the chain-driven live roller conveyor uses motorized sprockets and loop-to-loop chains to move its rollers. All designs are formed from welded heavy-gauge steel, boasting a durable system that can withstand the harshest conditions, toughest environments, and most abrasive applications.

Mechanical and Technological Functions

The function of roller conveyors is to reliably transport heavy-duty items in even the most rigorous conditions. Due to their versatility and robust design, they are optimal for moving boxes, cases, drums, and totes of varying weights within a single operation.

The operational mechanism of roller conveyors can vary depending on the specific type. The manual function requires goods to be pushed by hand, the gravity-fed option has the system set at a slight incline to move items, and the powered type includes motors to turn the rollers.

In the case of motorized conveyors, the choice of power supply depends on the specific requirements for the operation, including the weight of goods and the desired speed of movement.

As conveyor technology advances, more innovative methods are used to boost production. Roller conveyors&#; efficiency, safety, and adaptability are constantly improving, with automation and artificial intelligence (AI) functions especially being in high demand.

For example, current inventions emphasize smarter conveyor systems that predict maintenance needs, adapt to varying load requirements, and integrate seamlessly with other automated systems. Future trends are expected to push the boundaries further, with more sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs in the pipeline.

The Three Types of Roller Conveyors

Gravity Roller Conveyors

The most fundamental type of roller conveyor, this kind, is exactly as its name states&#;operating by gravity to move goods over free-spinning rollers. It is a simple, cost-effective option that is easy to install and perfectly relocatable. The only limitation is that gravity conveyors require a slight incline or manual adjustments for speed control. It is most economical for moving flat boxes, containers, and related products through packing areas and assembly lines on its own or in a connected system.

Belt-Driven Live Roller Conveyors

The belt-driven live roller conveyor (BDLR) is ideal for handling a wide variety of goods in different shapes and sizes. It has a quiet operation and is versatile for accumulating, diverting, merging, and transporting various shapes, sizes, and weights. The BDLR&#;s limitation is the type of goods it can move, based on avoiding wear and tear on the belt driving the rollers. Typically used in applications for warehousing, distribution, and order fulfillment, the standard BDLR model can be adjusted to fit the exact needs of any operation.

Chain-Driven Live Roller Conveyors

The chain-driven live roller conveyor (CDLR) is a motorized conveyor with chains driving the rollers, being particularly robust and reliable for heavy loads. Designed to move bulky products like machinery, filled drums, loaded pallets, and more, the CDLR moves products at a consistent rate of speed over a long distance. Its limitations are the noise factor and regular maintenance, yet its ability to handle the toughest jobs within a wide spectrum of industries makes up for any shortcomings.

Common Applications

Roller conveyors are versatile for every warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution application type. They excel in environments requiring streamlined processes and reduced handling times, such as assembly lines, packaging stations, and shipping areas.

More specific purposes apply to each of the three types of roller conveyors. For example, CDLRs are best suited for transporting totes and pallets being sideloaded, unloaded, and accumulated over a certain distance. At the same time, gravity conveyors are ideal for moving packages of different weights and sizes in conjunction with a system containing mechanically powered conveyors.

Additional Criteria to Consider

Selecting the right roller conveyor requires careful consideration of several key areas. First, the materials&#; weight, size, shape, and condition affect the type of conveyor best suited for the operations. Next, the environment&#;s temperature and humidity must be considered to guarantee that the right mechanism can withstand any harsh environment. Finally, the conveyor is designed and engineered according to key specifications like load capacity, roller diameter, material, and speed to ensure it is suited to the operational demands.

When working with a conveyor designer and manufacturer, you have the option to add accessory features to provide you and your labor force peace of mind when moving goods. Each conveyor system can be tailored to fit your exact criteria to guarantee that any particular transport challenges you may face are effectively handled.

The Right Conveyor for Your Industry

Choosing the conveyor for your operation is crucial for future industry success. Whether you require a simple gravity conveyor to supplement your existing system or a custom-built CDLR to replace an antiquated process, roller conveyors are an optimal blend of efficiency, adaptability, and cost-effectiveness to easily handle all your industrial needs.

As you seek an experienced team to help meet your unique material handling needs, consider Power Pack Conveyor Company as your trusted conveyor solutions partner. With our extensive knowledge and commitment to customer satisfaction, we invite you to contact us to further explore how our roller conveyors can transform your operations.

Our experts are on hand to provide insights and guide you through selecting the ideal automation system that meets your specific needs.

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