Rollers act as the wheels of a conveyor system, bearing the weight and moving the items along the conveyor belts. This reduces the need for workers to perform the backbreaking task of carrying all the goods, which increases productivity and reduces the number of workers required.
Rollers come in diverse materials such as steel, plastic and rubber, each serving specific purposes within conveyor setups. Here we take a look at rubber-covered conveyor rollers to see what benefits they offer, and we’ll also touch on why maintenance is so important if you want your system to work efficiently.
What Are Rubber-Covered Rollers?
As the name suggests, these are rollers, usually made from steel or aluminium, that are encased in a rubber.
This protective coating is usually thick, high-quality rubber to provide the utmost durability and protection for the rollers.
Benefits Of Rubber Coating
Rubber-covered rollers are extremely popular, especially for companies using conveyor systems for fragile or valuable goods. Here’s why:
Protects Items
The main benefit of rubber-covered rollers is their ability to protect the items that are being conveyed. The rubber coating acts as a cushion between the goods and the metal rollers, protecting the items from getting damaged or scratched.
This protective layer is especially important for a company that’s handling fragile goods or items with delicate surfaces that are prone to getting scratched.
Safeguarding Rollers
As well as protecting the goods that are being transported, the rubber coating also prevents the rollers from getting damaged.
By absorbing any impact, the protective coating reduces wear and tear on the roller’s core material. Without it, the rollers could get scratched and become abrasive, which in turn could cause damage to the goods being moved.
The rubber coating helps ensure a longer lifespan for the rollers and minimises the need for frequent replacements which would start to mount up.
Cost-Efficient
One of the standout advantages of rubber-covered rollers is they tend to be quite cheap compared to other materials. Systems with stainless steel or specialised coatings, for instance, can be quite a bit more.
And, as we’ve pointed out, the rubber housing the rollers can stop goods getting damaged and prolong the life of your system, adding more cost effective benefits to the mix!
Resistant To Cracking Or Deformation
Rubber’s soft yet durable texture makes it resistant to deformation and cracking, even after enduring high impact thousands of times a day!
Its robust nature means the coating retains its structural integrity rather than splitting or cracking, maintaining a smooth surface which is crucial for the safe transportation of goods.
So those are the main benefits of rubber on rollers. As you can see, this coating actually plays a silent but imperative role in safely and efficiently transporting goods along a conveyor belt.
If you’re looking for rollers that provide durability, longevity and help keep your conveyor system running smoothly, rubber ticks all of those boxes.
