⚙️ Construction Solutions and Drive Types

▬ Tangential Drive

The drive is powered by a continuous flat belt guided underneath the rollers along the entire length of the conveyor. Contact with the rollers is maintained by pressure mechanisms, which allow for the regulation of the transmission force for individual zones.

• • Advantages: These are the most cost-effective roller conveyors for long straight sections, as a single central motor can drive dozens of meters of track. Compared to chain-driven versions, this system features significantly lower noise levels and requires no lubrication (maintenance-free operation). A key feature is accumulation – if the goods stop at a buffer, the belt safely slips under the rollers, preventing damage to sensitive items.
  • Applications: Warehouses, distribution centers, packaging lines, and anywhere a buffer needs to be created before the next technological step.

➰ Poly-V Belt Drive

These roller conveyors use round belts or grooved Poly-V belts to transmit torque. Power transmission is carried out through a "roller-to-roller" system, which in practice means that each zone can be controlled independently.

• • Advantages: In addition to quiet and clean operation, the main advantage is easy maintenance. If a single belt is damaged, replacement is a matter of minutes and does not require the disassembly of the entire shaft. The system also offers higher safety for operators – in case of accidental entanglement of a hand or clothing, the belt slips immediately, minimizing the risk of injury.
  • Applications: A solution for light to medium-weight goods (KLT crates, cardboard boxes), sorting lines, and the e-commerce segment. This drive is the standard for Zero Pressure Accumulation (ZPA) conveyors. Thanks to this system, packages on the line do not collide because sensors automatically switch off the drive in sections where goods have accumulated.

⛓️ Chain Drive (Roll-to-Roll)

This is the most robust construction system in the roller conveyor category, where power transmission is realized through steel chain loops from one roller to the next. Each roller is equipped with a fixed double-row sprocket, ensuring an uninterrupted flow of driving force.

• • Advantages: Guarantees 100% torque transmission without the risk of slipping, which is crucial when starting up heavy loads. The construction is extremely resistant to mechanical wear, can handle dusty and contaminated environments (oil, emulsions), and allows for frequent cycling and reversible operation.

  • Applications: Designed for the heaviest applications, primarily for pallet conveyors (Euro pallets, Gitterboxes) with a load capacity of up to 1,500 kg/m. It is the standard in the automotive and construction industries.

📦 Non-powered (Manual / Gravity)

These roller conveyors represent the most cost-effective solution for transporting piece goods wherever motorized drive is not required. Depending on the installation, they operate on two principles:

1. 1. Manual movement: When installed horizontally, they serve as ergonomic worktables where the operator moves the load with minimal effort thanks to high-quality bearings.

   2. Gravity slope: When installed with a slight incline (typically 2% to 5%), goods move by their own weight. This is ideal for gravity flow racks and FIFO (First-In, First-Out) systems.

• • Advantages: High operational reliability, long service life, and zero electricity consumption.

  • Optional Equipment: This specific model is equipped with a lever-operated mechanical stop. With a simple movement of the lever, the operator can raise a fixed barrier to safely stop the goods (e.g., for visual inspection or packaging purposes) or lower it to clear the track for further material movement.

🛠️ Atypical Solutions and Custom Equipment

At DesignMP, we understand that every production process is unique. If standard catalog dimensions do not suit your needs or if you are dealing with demanding operating conditions, we will design and manufacture a roller conveyor precisely according to your requirements.

Our engineering department routinely implements the following modifications and custom solutions:

• • Material Options: Stainless steel versions for the food and pharmaceutical industries (food-grade certification), or reinforced structures for extreme temperatures.

  • Special Roller Surfaces: Rubber coating to increase friction, PVC sleeves for the protection of sensitive product surfaces, or antistatic (ESD) versions for the electrotechnical industry.

  • Integration of active elements: Addition of pneumatic stoppers, centering mechanisms, integrated weighing systems, code readers, or tilters.

  • Smart Control: Equipped with sensors and integrated with your master control system (PLC) for full automation of material flow.

🔄 Looking for a more comprehensive solution?

Roller tracks often operate in symbiosis with other types of conveyors. For movements requiring a 90° change in direction, lifting of goods, or the combination of various drive types, we utilize advanced systems.

👉 Check out our Combined Conveyors (Discover how we integrate roller, chain, and belt modules into a single functional line)

👉 Follow news from our production and implementations on our LinkedIn or Facebook profiles as well.