4 Design Factors Of a Gravity Conveyor/ Roller

For these gravity conveyors to convey material they have to be designed in a way that will make it easier for the material to move from one point to another. The term “gravity conveyor” simply suggests that this type of material handling equipment takes advantage of gravity to convey materials.

 

We all know that if this is the factor that they are using to convey material, then it has to have a design that will facilitate the movement of these materials.

 

These gravity conveyors usually have steel cylindrical rollers that are mounted on the frame that the materials will enable the material to slide due to gravity.

 

Here are the design factors of gravity conveyor/rollers;

1. The angle of inclination downwards should be slight.

The angle of inclination downwards should be slight so that it allows the load to move downwards.

 

If the angle of inclination downwards is less then the materials will hardly move from the top to the bottom.

 

The angle should be slight in a way, if materials are placed on the top they can slide down easily due to gravity and with the help of the rollers.

 

2. Rollers must rotate freely.

This is another factor that should be considered when designing the gravity conveyor.

 

The rollers must rotate freely to ensure that the material is being conveyed appropriately.

 

If the rollers don’t rotate the materials to be conveyed may get stuck along the way due to high friction.

 

This is because friction opposes the motion in an opposite direction.

 

The main work of the roller is to reduce the friction as much as possible for efficient conveying of the materials.

 

3. There should be a higher coefficient of friction between the load and roller surfaces.

The higher coefficient of friction between the load and roller surfaces will ensure that the load is properly conveyed with the help of the rollers.

 

This will help the load to remain in contact with the rollers as it is being moved from one point to another.

 

If there is no higher coefficient between the load and the roller surfaces then the movement of the materials from the top to the bottom will be interfered with.

 

This is another important design factor that should be considered when dealing with constructing a gravity conveyor.

 

4. The load must have a flat stiff bottom.

The load must have a flat stiff bottom.

 

The load to be conveyed by this material handling equipment should have a flat stiff bottom so that it can be in good and maximum contact with the rollers.

 

If the contact between the load and the rollers is maximum then the materials will be easily conveyed from one point to another very easily.

 

The load should be stiff so that it doesn’t get stuck in between the rollers.

 

These are the design factors of a gravity conveyor.

 

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