What are the characteristics of powered roller conveyors and unpowered roller conveyors?

Powered roller conveyors and unpowered roller conveyors are two types of material handling systems used in various industries for transporting goods. The main difference between them lies in how they are powered to move the conveyed items:

Powered Roller Conveyors:

Powered roller conveyors utilize motors or other power sources to move the rollers, which in turn move the conveyed items along the conveyor path.

They are often used for transporting heavy loads or for applications where precise control over the movement of goods is required.

These conveyors can be controlled using various methods such as speed control, direction control, and automated systems.

Powered roller conveyors are more versatile and suitable for complex conveyor systems where items need to be accumulated, sorted, or diverted.

Unpowered Roller Conveyors:

Unpowered roller conveyors, also known as gravity roller conveyors, rely on gravity and manual force to move the conveyed items.

They typically consist of a series of parallel rollers mounted on a frame at a slight incline or decline.

When goods are placed on the rollers, gravity helps them move along the conveyor path without the need for external power.

Unpowered roller conveyors are simpler and more cost-effective than powered ones. They are often used for applications where the conveyed items are relatively lightweight, and continuous, automated movement is not required.

However, they may require manual intervention for loading and unloading, and they are less suitable for handling heavy or bulky items.