The benefits of 24-volt conveyor systems
The material handling industry is responding with new equipment, technology and systems that enable them to complete supply chain “visibility.” A rapidly emerging technology in the live-roller conveyor arena is the 24-volt motorized drive roller (MDR) conveyor.
The traditional 480 volt conveyors require large electrical panels as well as onsite PLC programming. MDR retains most of the positive features of line-shaft or belt-driven live rollers, with a number of added advantages. Instead of a conventional gear-motor drive with a rotating shaft or belt driving a long conveyor, a 24-volt DC motor located inside the roller drives the zones of the conveyor. This allows for a high degree of flexibility and modularity in conveyor design. Though cost of the MDR’s per-ft. a bit on a higher side than the conventional conveyor, but it is a safe design as each zone can be stopped safely with a bare hand without any need for emergency pull cords or e-stops are needed.
24 volt conveyor systems offer various advantages including:
Reduced wiring cost and simplified diagnostics incorporated into the controls.
Cost savings due to the reduction of electrical power to run the units.
Significant drops in the noise level (as low as 65 dba), a positive ergonomic feature.
Built-in logic and controls (cartons will not touch each other, Zero Pressure Accumulation built in)
Installation only requires standard 110 volt plugin/drop
No onsite programming required
No PLC expenses
With the advent of latest technologies, gone are the days when material handling control systems were simply a collection of mechanical and control devices that cause objects to be moved from one place to another within the walls of a manufacturing, warehouse or distribution facility.
Subscribe to the comments for this post