What Is a Roller Conveyor?
A roller conveyor, particularly a free roller conveyor, is a conveyor component that lacks a motor or other driving source. Commonly known as “free rollers,” these rollers are made from materials like iron, aluminum, or plastic and are used not only in free roller conveyors but also as guide rollers in belt conveyors and in discharge devices.
Free roller conveyors operate using human power or gravity, thanks to their hollow, lightweight design that allows for easy rotation.
Uses of Roller Conveyors
Free roller conveyors are used in warehouses and factories for moving goods. They can be manually pushed, used on inclines for gravity-driven movement, or powered by residual energy from discharge devices. Their lightweight and easily rotatable design enables the conveyance of goods with minimal force.
When part of a free roller conveyor, these rollers are attached to the conveyor frame with the shaft inserted into the frame and secured with snap pins or similar fasteners.
Features of Roller Conveyors
Roller conveyors consist of shaft and roll parts, both hollow to reduce weight. The shaft has holes at both ends for attaching snap pins, and press bearings are built into the roll ends to support rotation.
Material choices vary: iron rollers are robust for heavy loads but not suitable for corrosive environments; aluminum or plastic rollers are preferred in hygienic settings.
While their lightweight and rotational ease are advantageous, they can lead to issues like “bumper-to-bumper” accidents on inclines or risks of goods slipping off or falling if the installation surface is not level.