How Does a Steel Conveyor Roller Work?
22nd January 2019
Most of us are aware of conveyor belts and bar rollers, but far fewer understand how they work – or why they’re so important. Here’s your go-to guide on the mechanics, history, and efficiency of this must-have manufacturing tool.
A Working History
While it might seem like a thoroughly modern invention, humans have been using roller conveyors to move things for thousands of years. Did you know that roller conveyor-like systems were used to build the splendid pyramids of Egypt? The practicality of the roller conveyor model is the primary reason for its longstanding and continuing effectiveness as a tool.
While the materials that these conveyors are made from have changed over the years, the mechanics of how they function have remained largely the same. Long, evenly-sized bars create a movement for items by redistributing weight. In times gone by, people would push or drag these heavy items along over rollers or rods. Today’s conveyors have a bit more power behind their movements!
Making Moves
In modern conveyor rollers, each bar is attached to a sprocket wheel. These sprocket wheels are all attached to a chain-driven axel, which allows them to rotate at a consistent, identical rate, causing the bars to roll at a steady, even pace. The steel housing of the conveyor is a long, flat surface, creating the perfect environment for these bars to move items swiftly and effectively along a factory floor or anywhere they are used.
Conveyor rollers are motorized. Their movement comes from a motor that powers the chains that drive the axel to rotate. Each piece of the machinery is welded or secured into place by hand when the machine is created, giving it the perfect measurements and ensuring that there are no flaws in its function. Only by adding that human touch is manufacturers able to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of these very useful machines!
Why Use a Conveyor?
In many factory and manufacturing settings, heavy loads must be moved quickly, effectively and safely throughout the facility. This can be difficult for humans to do unassisted and using motorized vehicles would be highly impractical on such a scale.
This is where steel bar conveyors come in handy. The strength of the bars and the number of bars on each conveyor securely hold and distribute the weight of large loads and heavy items. This means they can move huge objects across their length with ease. What’s more, the motorized system that rotates these bars works quickly enough that items – even those weighing several tons – can be moved long distances in a matter of seconds.
Steel bar roller conveyors have made manufacturing work easier on those who do it and more productive for those who rely on it for their livelihood. For more information on bringing this efficiency to your facility, contact your local supplier of conveyor machinery and parts. With increased productivity and decreased errors on your factory floor, you’ll be glad you did!