Lineshaft roller conveyors are, as their title suggests, powered via a shaft
beneath the rollers. These conveyors are suitable for light applications up to
20kgs such as cardboard boxes and tote boxes.
A single shaft runs below the rollers running the length of the conveyor. On
the shaft there are a series of spools; one spool for each roller. A rubber
o-ring runs from a spool on the powered shaft to each roller. When the shaft is
powered the rubber o-ring acts as a chain between the spool and the roller
making the roller rotate. The rotating of the rollers pushes the product along
the conveyor. The shaft is usually driven by an electrical motor, which is
generally controlled by the an electronic PLC. A PLC (Programmable Logic
Controller) electronically controls how specific sections of the conveyor system
interact with the products being conveyed.
Advantages of this conveyor are quiet operation, as well as easy installation
and maintenance. They can be manufactured for almost all applications, at
relatively low expense.
A disadvantage of the roller lineshaft conveyor is that it can only be used
to convey certain produce. Items conveyed have to be of adequate size and shape
so that they cannot fall between the moving rollers. If the product being
conveyed is of varying size, the belt conveyor system is generally used as an
alternative option.
