Powered Roller Conveyor
Powered roller conveyor enables fast-turnaround operations by optimizing movements and reducing labor, storage, and transportation costs. These systems also ensure continuous 24/7 flows and eliminate manual handling for greater operator safety.
These conveyors use a belt that runs perpendicular to the rollers, when they are turned on by a motor it creates friction causing the long parts of the conveyor to turn. They are ideal for transporting heavy items over a longer distance and help reduce risk as they can be stopped at will.
Safety
As with any conveyor system, proper safety is paramount. Workers should receive comprehensive training on operating and maintenance procedures to ensure they know how to use the equipment safely. Prominent warning signs and audible signals can help alert workers to the presence of moving machinery, and emergency stop switches or pull cords should be easily accessible.
Physical barriers, like covers and guards, should be placed over all hazardous areas to keep powered roller conveyor workers a safe distance from moving parts and pinch points. In addition, all mechanical hazards should be addressed with secondary safeguarding methods, like locking and tagging out energy sources before making repairs or modifications to conveyor systems.
For electrical hazards, copper sheeting can be used to protect against potential shocks near circuits. It’s also important to follow manufacturer instructions and general safety rules for working around electricity, including using caution with electrical cords and avoiding touching live wires.
Ideally, all power and control circuit solutions for conveyors should be smart, efficient, cost-effective, and easy to install. RS offers a wide range of motor starters and protection solutions that meet these needs. They are available in a variety of configurations, capabilities, and costs to suit any conveyor application.
Efficiency
Roller conveyors make it easy for businesses to transport heavy or bulky goods over long distances. They also save time and energy compared to manual transportation methods. In addition, these systems help reduce the work load of employees by doing the transporting for them. This is particularly useful in airports, food outlets and other places where the packaged items are required to be transported quickly and efficiently.
These motorized conveyors can be integrated with automation systems for precise coordination and accurate performance. They can also be adjusted to accommodate specific production demands and material handling requirements. This ensures efficient and consistent operation of the conveyor system, minimizing bottlenecks and improving throughput.
The capacity of a powered roller conveyor is determined by the weight and dimensions of the load being conveyed and its position along the path. This will decide on the conveyor width, guide rail specifications and roller diameter. The speed at which the conveyor is operating will also determine its throughput and performance. The torque rating of the motor will also affect the conveyor’s ability to transport large payloads and overcome inclines or declines in the path of travel.
For optimal performance, it is important to choose the right power roller conveyor for your application. Factors to consider include the load capacity, speed, motor type, and accessories like sensors and controls. The supplier you choose should offer these components as well as comprehensive technical support and warranty coverage to minimize downtime during installation.
Versatility
Powered roller conveyor systems are designed for flexibility in their use. They can be used to transport small, fragile items that are best transported on a belt conveyor system or heavier, bulkier items that are safer and more reliable on roller conveyors. The ability to control the speed of a conveyor, which is often crucial for targeted production rates, is another benefit of powered roller conveyors.
In addition, powered conveyors are able to be configured in straight or curved paths that work with the existing layout of a manufacturing setting. This design gives you the freedom to transport goods throughout your facility according to your specific production needs, while ensuring that the space is well utilized for optimal operations.
Flexibility in conveyor systems is important, as it allows you to eliminate manual steps that introduce inefficiencies and safety risks into fulfillment and shipping processes. The flexible powered conveyor system at Kraken KCR, such as the BestFlex 1.9 power conveyor, provides the versatility required to address this issue. It can be repositioned and expanded to service multiple dock doors, or retracted when not in use to save space that can be better utilized for other materials handling equipment.
Unlike traditional roller conveyors that have fixed widths, the width of a powered conveyor system can be adjusted by the amount of supports installed underneath it. Generally, supports are placed at 5 or 10 foot intervals depending on the load capacity of the conveyor. These adjustable dimensions are ideal for applications where your production processes change frequently and require you to move heavy or light loads at the same time.
Customization
The customization options of roller conveyors enable businesses to build a system that meets specific industrial needs. This includes determining the maximum load capacity, dimensions, and path of the conveyor. It also includes establishing whether the system should be powered by gravity, motors, or manually. This customization process allows businesses to create a system that best fits operational environments, which in turn improves efficiency and reduces risk.
The size and weight of the items being conveyed determine how much force the rollers need to bear, which impacts the overall system power requirements. Other considerations include the material of construction, speed requirements, and environmental conditions. For instance, a steel, plastic, or rubber-coated conveyor can offer benefits such as shock absorption and noise reduction that enhance the overall system performance.
There are different types of motors that can be used to power roller conveyor systems. For example, belt-driven conveyors work well for heavy-duty loads and Material blender reversible operations. Chain-driven systems utilize chains rather than belts and are typically used in extremely harsh environments. Motorized roller conveyors use internal 24V DC motors built into the rollers for a more modular design.
A key feature of modern operations is that setups and changeovers must be quick and easy. Creating and tearing down transport systems every time an operation changes is costly and inefficient. Fortunately, roller conveyors can be customized to include features such as modular components and production zones that allow for quick assembly and changeovers. Moreover, these systems can be equipped with emergency stops to halt all operations in the event of an accident.
