The main difference between powered and unpowered roller conveyors lies in how they move materials:
Powered Roller Conveyor:
Powered roller conveyors are equipped with motors or other sources of power that drive the rollers to move materials along the conveyor line.
They are suitable for transporting heavier loads or materials over longer distances.
Powered roller conveyors offer greater control over the speed and direction of the materials being conveyed.
They are often used in applications where continuous or automated material handling is required, such as in manufacturing, distribution centers, or warehouses.
Variations of powered roller conveyors include lineshaft conveyors, belt-driven conveyors, chain-driven conveyors, and motor-driven roller conveyors.
Unpowered Roller Conveyor (Gravity Roller Conveyor):
Unpowered roller conveyors rely on gravity to move materials along the conveyor line. The rollers are typically placed at a slight decline, allowing gravity to pull the materials from one end to the other.
They are simpler in design and do not require external power sources or motors.
Unpowered roller conveyors are best suited for lighter loads or applications where the movement of materials can be assisted by gravity alone.
They are often used for manual material handling operations, such as loading and unloading trucks, sorting packages, or transporting materials within a facility.
While they are less complex and generally less expensive than powered roller conveyors, they offer less control over the speed and direction of materials and are not suitable for all types of applications.