Choosing belt conveyor or roller conveyor?
02-04-2022 525
In many cases, belts and rollers are used at different points in the conveyor system for maximum control and efficient flow.
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Belt and roller conveyors are specified for a variety of reasons in a given conveyor system. The reasons almost always come down to the characteristics and functionality of the load. Both can be used in transportation, sorting and accumulation applications. This article dives into the differences and specific advantages each type of conveyor offers.
When the position and orientation of the product is important, belt conveyors are a better solution. Loads slip less and stay right where you need them on the belt. Belt curves are usually more specialized and expensive than roller curves.
More importantly, even for loads with no fragility issues, alignment is critical. You may need to align your products for scanners, scales, or other machinery. The straps allow you to keep the product exactly where you want it, in the direction you want it to be.
+ Lift bar, fit between the rollers and lift the load as needed.
+ Turners, wheels and pop-up rollers.
Load control rollers are less precise than belts but offer a wider range of types, configurations and accessories. When a tote box or carton is transported on rollers, it may travel through the rollers and bump into the railing. For most products, the impact is small and shouldn't pose a problem, but for some of the more fragile loads you need the finer control provided by belt conveyors.
Your needs, applications, loads and systems will ultimately determine the type of conveyor needed. In many cases, belts and rollers are used at different points in the conveyor system for maximum control and efficient flow.
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When should you use a belt conveyor system?
- For products that cannot be conveyed on rollers
Usually, goods such as bags, envelopes, small parts, components, fabrics, and cartons have irregular bottoms. Anything that cannot be moved on a roller is a candidate for belt conveying.
- When you convey the load vertically
Inclined conveyors are often the application of belt conveyors because the rollers do not grip the load tightly, which can cause slip- To integrate the machine
Many machine integrations, such as packers, scanners, diverters, and others need to control the direction of loads for correct operation. The belts do not allow the load to shift or rotate because they adhere to the surface. The right speed and position for the belts make them ideal for scanning tunnels where stability is critical for accurate readings.- For pre-sort apps
When you need to distance or track loads towards classification, belts are the ideal choice. Belts have better product control and work best in these applications. If your system has a curve that leads to an area of alignment and you have to create clearance or track loads, straps are a good solution.- For the versatility of the material
Belt curves can be made with a variety of materials. You can specify a variety of belts to fit your needs.- What about the belt curve?
Curves allow systems to make efficient use of space by allowing you to redirect product at critical points. Many curve applications are roller based, but there are situations where belt curves are preferred. When is a lumbar curve your best bet? The main reason you specify a conveyor curve is often more similar to the one you would use to specify a conveyor than a roller: belts can handle different loads and control them better than rollers .When the position and orientation of the product is important, belt conveyors are a better solution. Loads slip less and stay right where you need them on the belt. Belt curves are usually more specialized and expensive than roller curves.
More importantly, even for loads with no fragility issues, alignment is critical. You may need to align your products for scanners, scales, or other machinery. The straps allow you to keep the product exactly where you want it, in the direction you want it to be.
When to use roller conveyors
- Accessories and add-ons
Rollers can accommodate accessories and other options to help stop and precisely control loads. Some possibilities include:+ Lift bar, fit between the rollers and lift the load as needed.
+ Turners, wheels and pop-up rollers.
Load control rollers are less precise than belts but offer a wider range of types, configurations and accessories. When a tote box or carton is transported on rollers, it may travel through the rollers and bump into the railing. For most products, the impact is small and shouldn't pose a problem, but for some of the more fragile loads you need the finer control provided by belt conveyors.

- Easy to interact with people
Rollers are easier to handle when people have to push, pull, remove, rotate and interact with the load. Due to the low coefficient of friction, it is much easier for a person to slide across the rollers than a belt. This is why picking and packing applications are often specified with roller conveyors. When you have side-by-side lines that merge loads, conveyor rollers are ideal, whether performed by humans or by mechanical pushers.- The roller moves at an uneven speed
Load characteristics can affect the speed at which an item travels on a roller conveyor. Heavier, larger loads may travel more slowly than lighter loads on rollers. This may or may not be important for your application, but keep it in mind if you want constant traffic.- Heavy and difficult load
Most pallet conveyors tend to be roller systems, due to their high capacity. Although there are specific cases when they are best conveyed by belts.Ending
Your needs, applications, loads and systems will ultimately determine the type of conveyor needed. In many cases, belts and rollers are used at different points in the conveyor system for maximum control and efficient flow.
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