Get in touch Back to home
Get in touch Join our newsletter

Flexible conveyors

Back to overview

Flexible roller conveyors have a scissor frame that is able to withdraw and extend like an accordion. Depending on the roller diameter and pitch, they are able to realize an extension ratio of 1:2 to 1:3. There are powered and non-powered (gravity) versions available.

Flexible roller conveyors can be configured in various shapes, including straight, curved, or serpentine paths. These conveyors are made with lightweight, flexible materials, allowing them to be easily adjusted to fit different workspaces or production lines. The rollers are typically powered either by gravity or by a motorized mechanism. Gravity-powered flexible conveyors rely on the incline to move products, while powered versions use a motor to drive the rollers.

Flexible conveyors are often used in combination with automatic unloaders. In those cases it is not possible to palletize the goods inside the container. Also, when the downstream process is mechanised (like a palletizer or a sorting system), powered flexible conveyors are a good choice.

Advantages

  • Flexibility and adaptability They can be extended or contracted to fit different lengths, making them versatile for various workspaces and applications. Suitable for handling a variety of items, including boxes, cartons, and other unit loads.
  • Space efficiency: When not in use, flexible roller conveyors can be contracted to a compact size and removed from the process, saving valuable floor space. Their lightweight design and caster wheels allow for easy movement and storage, making them ideal for dynamic work environments.
  • Cost-effective: Compared to fixed conveyor systems, flexible roller conveyors generally have a lower initial cost. One flexible conveyor can serve multiple purposes and locations, reducing the need for multiple fixed conveyors.
  • Ease of use: They require minimal setup and training to use, allowing workers to quickly adapt to their operation. Ideal for manual loading and unloading tasks, providing a smooth and ergonomic way to move goods.

Disadvantages

  • Small item handling : The roller pitch of flexible conveyors in extended state is typically 75, 100 or 125mm. With the latter pitch, the minimum length of cartons should be 250mm, making the conveyor less suitable for small item transport.
  • Manoeuvrability: Longer flexible roller conveyors (>5m) may be hard to manoeuvre with just one person. Especially when there is height difference involved like manoeuvring the roller conveyor up an inclined dock leveller. In those cases at least 2 persons are required.
  • Maintenance and repair: Rollers, bearings, and other components may wear out faster due to the flexible nature of the conveyor, leading to higher maintenance costs. Also it is required to tighten the bolts of the scissor mechanism on a regular basis.
  • Connection to a fixed machine: Flexible roller conveyors generally have a contraction ration of 1 : 2.4. For unloading 40ft containers, an extension length (ΔL) of at least 12m is required to reach the front end of the container. The contracted length (Lmin) of such a conveyor is then approximately 8m. This means that the fixed connection to the downstream conveyor equipment is located at least 8m inside the warehouse, which takes significant footprint on the staging area.

Conclusion

Flexible roller conveyors offer significant advantages in terms of flexibility, space efficiency, cost-effectiveness and ease of use, making them ideal for dynamic and versatile work environments. However, they also come with limitations related to small item handling and manoeuvrability.

Back to overview

Check out our new eBook

Want to learn more about efficient container unloading? Our eBook is your ultimate guide. Download it now and discover how to optimize your inbound process.

Download eBook

Let’s discuss the possibilities of innovating your intralogistics together.

Traditional robots are heavy and therefore immobile. Cobots are too slow and therefore unproductive. That is why we have developed a palletizing robot ourselves. The ultimate balance between functionality, speed and precision.

Get in touch