Roller Pallets for Efficient Material Handling

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Cargo ship docked at an industrial port surrounded by pallets at sunset, highlighting maritime activities.
Credit: pexels.com, Cargo ship docked at an industrial port surrounded by pallets at sunset, highlighting maritime activities.

Roller pallets are a game-changer for efficient material handling. They can significantly reduce the time and effort required to move heavy loads around a warehouse or factory.

By utilizing a roller pallet, you can increase your throughput and get more done in less time. This is especially true when dealing with heavy or bulky items that would otherwise be difficult to move.

Roller pallets can support loads of up to 10,000 pounds, making them perfect for heavy-duty applications. They're also designed to withstand the rigors of frequent use and can last for many years with proper maintenance.

What Are Roller Pallets?

Roller pallets are designed to transport heavy loads with ease, thanks to their sturdy construction and smooth-rolling wheels.

They're commonly used in warehouses and factories to move pallets of goods quickly and efficiently.

Roller pallets can support loads of up to 5,000 pounds, making them ideal for heavy-duty applications.

Description of Operation

Roller pallets are designed to make material handling easier and more efficient. They can be used in a variety of settings, from warehouses to manufacturing facilities.

A paint roller dipped in white paint in a plastic tray, ideal for home renovation projects.
Credit: pexels.com, A paint roller dipped in white paint in a plastic tray, ideal for home renovation projects.

The operation of roller pallets is quite straightforward. A powered roller conveyor requires that the bottom boards and runners of a pallet, tote, or bin run in the direction of travel.

Here's a breakdown of the process:

  • Conveyors are made of stainless steel, making them easy to clean and maintain.
  • They can handle 48″ pallets with boards running the right way.

As a pallet or tote is discharged from the fill station scale conveyor, it conveys to the next powered conveyor and stops. Each load conveys freely onto gravity rollers, to the end of the conveyor.

The system is designed to accumulate loads, with the first load awaiting fork truck pickup and signaling a pallet stop to raise behind it. The second load stops at the air-operated device when a load is still at pickup, and the third load accumulates behind the second.

You might like: Pallet Truck En Español

Overview

Roller pallets are a game-changer for efficient transportation.

Eloowheel castors can make many pallets rollable by simply attaching them to the Euro pallet, allowing for quick and easy movement of multiple connected pallets.

Credit: youtube.com, Mallard Split-Roller Pallet Flow Delivers Consistent Flow for Plastic Tote Pallets

The type of castor used can be either fixed or swivel, giving you flexibility in your pallet transportation setup.

Eloowheel castors can also be mounted on "H1" plastic pallets, expanding the options for your pallet transportation needs.

Pallet conveyor lines can be custom-built for specific applications, such as food-grade environments where cleanliness is crucial.

In a food-grade application, a pallet conveyor line can receive and convey pallet loads of drums from a filling system, using powered conveyors with wash-down duty drives and special guides to prevent contamination.

Gravity roller conveyors are commonly used for low-cost accumulation, making them a cost-effective option for many businesses.

Full Benefits

The full roller pallet flow system offers numerous benefits, including full coverage for plastic and non-standard pallets.

You can choose from two roller widths, 1.9” and 2.5” diameter rollers, depending on your load capacity and pallet style.

Galvanized rollers and rails are durable and rust-resistant, making them a great option for heavy-duty use.

Gray Paint on Paint Roller Tray
Credit: pexels.com, Gray Paint on Paint Roller Tray

The system can fit differently-sized pallets in a single lane, making it a convenient and space-saving solution.

It secures to standard pallet racking, and installation is a low-profile affair.

Maintenance is also easy, which is a big plus when it comes to keeping your warehouse running smoothly.

Here are the key benefits of full roller pallet flow at a glance:

Design and Technical Details

Roller pallets come in various sizes and configurations. The basic technical specifications include a steel coated or galvanised finish, with roller lengths of 900 and 1,100 mm. Steel galvanised rollers Ø80 x 2 mm are used, with a roller pitch of 150 and 200 mm.

The drive system is a crucial aspect of roller pallets. It can be chains, and the conveyor speed can be adjusted to 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, or 16 m/min. The load capacity is a maximum of 1,500 kg per metre.

Here are some common accessories used with roller pallets:

  • Support/legs (with stabilisation bars if required)
  • Stoppers
  • Transfer units (single / double)
  • Pallet centring unit
  • Lift system with roller conveyor (loose lift system)
  • Tilting system with roller conveyor
  • Turntables
  • Rotatable module
  • Transfer car
  • Loading station (with optional ramp)
  • Unloading station
  • Crash barriers
  • End stop
  • Ramp / passage
  • Pallet guidance
  • Disk guide (if disk is not possible wheel guide)
  • Brake rollers
  • Coupling plates
  • Pallet indication
  • Sensor bracket

Test System Design – Full Flow Process

An artist in a workshop uses a paint roller on a table. Craft and creativity merge in this dynamic scene.
Credit: pexels.com, An artist in a workshop uses a paint roller on a table. Craft and creativity merge in this dynamic scene.

In a full flow process, the pallet flow system is designed to move pallets efficiently. The system is 3-deep, allowing for a high volume of pallets to be processed.

The rollers in a full flow system are typically 5 inches in diameter. This size provides a good balance between speed and stability.

A key component in a full flow system is the drum speed controller, which is often used to control the speed of the rollers. In one example, a 5-inch drum speed controller is used.

The incline of the full flow system is also worth noting. In one design, the incline is 1/2 inch per foot over a 30-foot length. This gentle slope allows pallets to move smoothly.

Bolt-on ramp stops are often used to control the flow of pallets in a full flow system. These stops can be easily installed and removed as needed.

Technical Specifications

The technical specifications of a conveyor system can be a bit overwhelming, but let's break it down.

Steel storage units in an industrial warehouse with a blue hand truck in the center, ideal for logistics.
Credit: pexels.com, Steel storage units in an industrial warehouse with a blue hand truck in the center, ideal for logistics.

The conveyor system has a basic steel coated or galvanised construction.

It comes in two roller lengths: 900 and 1,100 mm.

The rollers themselves are made of steel and are galvanised for durability, with a diameter of Ø80 x 2 mm.

The roller pitch can be adjusted to 150 or 200 mm.

The drive system is powered by chains.

The conveyor system has a range of module lengths: 1,350, 1,500, 2,400 and 2,700 mm.

The drive type can be side-mounted, under the rollers, or eliminated altogether.

The conveyor speed can be set to 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 or 16 m/min.

The maximum load per metre is 1,500 kg.

The system requires a rated voltage of 230/400V, 50 Hz, 3 phase.

Here are the available drive types and their corresponding module lengths:

Eloowheel "Roll Under" Principle

The Eloowheel "Roll Under" principle is a game-changer for making pallets rollable.

The system is flexible and easy to use, requiring only 3 different plates that can be fitted with swivel castors or fixed castors. These plates can be used to create a variety of configurations, including placing 2 pallets together at their "butt joints" to form a longer pallet.

Shelves filled with construction materials like tiles and wood pallets in a warehouse setting.
Credit: pexels.com, Shelves filled with construction materials like tiles and wood pallets in a warehouse setting.

The Eloowheel system is available with braked swivel castors and fixed castors, which makes sense given its flexibility. Unbraked swivel castors would not be practical in this system.

All Eloowheel castors have a load capacity of 350 kg per wheel, which is a significant advantage. This means you can rely on the system to handle heavy loads without worrying about it breaking down.

The dimensions of the support shoes refer to wooden Euro pallets and H1 plastic pallets, but many other pallet types have similar dimensions and can also accommodate Eloowheel castors.

The Eloowheel "Roll Under" principle is a reliable and efficient solution for making pallets rollable, and its flexibility makes it easy to use in a variety of settings.

Here's a summary of the Eloowheel castor options:

Castor Combinations and Wheels

Castor combinations and wheels can make a big difference in the usability of roller pallets. The combination of castor and swivel castor is a popular option, as shown in the examples of rollable pallet combinations.

High angle of wet dirty roller for painting on plastic cap from paint on floor
Credit: pexels.com, High angle of wet dirty roller for painting on plastic cap from paint on floor

You can attach Eloowheel castors to Euro pallets to make them rollable, no matter how many pallets are connected. This solution is especially useful for transporting multiple pallets at once.

Eloowheel castors are available as fixed or swivel castors, giving you flexibility in your setup. They can be mounted on both wooden and plastic Euro pallets, including "H1" plastic pallets.

The versatility of Eloowheel castors makes them a great choice for many applications.

Fixed and Mobile Options

Roller pallets are a versatile solution for heavy-duty material handling. They can be used in various settings, including warehouses and manufacturing facilities.

For fixed applications, roller pallets can be mounted on a stationary frame, allowing for continuous movement and reducing the need for manual handling. This can increase productivity and efficiency.

In some cases, roller pallets can be equipped with a manual push bar for easier navigation around corners or through tight spaces.

Mobile options include electric or manual push carts that can be attached to the roller pallet, allowing for easy movement across the floor.

Clara Donnelly

Writer

Clara Donnelly is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging content across various industries. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she brings complex topics to life through her writing. Her expertise spans a range of topics, including sustainable packaging solutions, where she explores innovative ideas and eco-friendly practices that minimize waste and promote environmental responsibility.

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