What It Is
Driven rollers move cartons on their own at a set speed. The types differ in the drive.
Types
- Line-shaft driven: One shaft belts every roller; cartons up to about 75 lb.
- Chain driven live roller: Heavy loads, pallets, dirty areas. See pallet conveyors.
- 24V motorized roller (MDR): A motor roller per zone. See accumulation conveyor.
Sizes and Speeds
| Item | Typical |
|---|---|
| Rollers | 1.9" diameter on 3" or 4 1/2" centers |
| Width | 18" to 36" between frames |
| Speed | 60 to 120 feet per minute; variable-speed drives to 200 |
| Capacity | 50 to 100 lb per foot (line shaft), 300 lb per foot and up (chain driven) |
| Incline | Up to 10° for cartons with a belt-driven section; rollers alone slip past about 5° |
| Power | 1/2 to 2 hp per drive, 120/230/460 V; MDR runs on 24 V DC |
Where It Goes
- Receiving to shipping.
- Scanners, scales, print-and-apply.
- Merges and sorts.
- Pick module takeaway.
Controls
Line-shaft: one motor, one switch. MDR: a photo-eye and card per zone, no PLC on simple lines. We wire the controls as part of the install.
Common questions
What is the difference between line-shaft and MDR conveyor?
Line-shaft runs every roller from one motor all the time. MDR has a 24-volt motor roller per zone, and zones can be set to run only when a carton is there.
How fast does powered roller conveyor run?
Most lines run 60 to 120 feet per minute, up to about 200 with variable-speed drives.
Can powered roller conveyor go uphill?
Rollers slip past about 5 degrees. Use a belt section; flat-bottomed cartons climb 10 to 15 degrees on belt.
Does it need a PLC?
Not a simple transport line. MDR cards handle simple logic; a small PLC runs merges and sorting.
