Gravity roller conveyors continue to be one of the most widely used conveyor systems available today. These conveyors, which consist of rollers or wheels, move goods using gravity. In the packing, manufacturing, and package distribution industries, they are a crucial component of material handling and are primarily available in straight, curved, spur, or combined designs. However, there are a few things to think about before installing a gravity conveyor.
What are 5 Key Factors in Selecting the Gravity Conveyor ?
Size and weight of the smallest and greatest loads
A gravity roller conveyor is determined in a step-by-step manner. Calculating the weight and measurements of the largest and smallest load that will be transported on the conveyor is the first stage. Once this is known, more details can be ascertained, such as the distance between two consecutive rollers, their diameter, and the width of the frame and floor supports.
Center of Axle
The distance between the centers of two adjacent rollers in a conveyor might be referred to as the axle center. A minimum of three rollers must always be in touch with the package’s bottom in a gravity roller conveyor. This guarantees that the weight will move without any unnecessary vibrations. Thus, in order to achieve even weight distribution, the axle centres may need to be decreased even further depending on the weight of the cargo being transported.
Dimensions of each roller
The size of the axles and the individual rollers’ diameters should be taken into account next. Both smaller and larger diameters have advantages and disadvantages. Smaller rollers are less expensive, but they have a lower weight carrying capacity. Therefore, larger rollers and axles will be needed to handle heavier weights. When making rollers, the thickness of the roller tube must also be taken into account. Thinner or thicker tubing is advised based on the loading circumstances.
Frame Composition
The conveyor itself as well as the cargo being transported will be supported by the frame. As a result, the frame material must be chosen according to the application. Aluminum frames are perfect if simple installation and light weight transfer are needed. However, a steel frame is preferable if the goods are heavier.
Utilizing floor supports
Depending on whether a floor support is intended to be permanent or temporary, it typically comes in an H-shape or a tripod form. These supports, which are mounted at the bottom of the frame, typically have different heights.
Width Between Frame
This width on a conveyor frame is the distance between its two parallel rails as measured from the interior. Width between frames may change depending on how the rollers are positioned in relation to the rails. The package can exceed the width of the frame if the rollers are positioned far above the rails and it is stable and collision-free. The package’s width cannot, however, exceed BF width if the rollers are recessed. In these situations, the width is determined by multiplying the width of the largest package that will be conveyed by the conveyor by 2 inches. The conveyors’ paths will also determine their BF width because curved conveyors need additional space to deliver packages securely.
Conclusion
Contact Vishvakarma Equipments to learn more about additional gravity conveyors and specialized material handling solutions. To make sure you select the right conveyor system for your unique operations, we would be delighted to offer in-depth consultations.
