Energy efficient steel roller benefits materials handling sector

10th July 2015

By: Bruce Montiea

Creamer Media Reporter

  

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To meet the materials handling industry’s need for a cost-effective, energy efficient and long-lasting steel roller that also creates less noise pollution, conveyor rollers manufacturer and distributor Megaroller launched a new-generation steel roller onto the market in May.

The roller is designed to ensure accurate bearing alignment to deliver easier rolling, says Megaroller business development manager Adrian Evans.

“With less friction, the new steel roller is an environment-friendly alternative to conventional steel rollers. The bearing housings are mechanically fixed instead of welded, which ensures superior bearing alignment to deliver an efficient roller,” he explains.

Evans adds that the steel roller features cushioned bearing carriers made from high-quality nylon to provide vibration and shock protection. These carriers function as an additional barrier that enhances the roller’s impact resistance and guards its bearing against vibration, “which is one of the main causes of roller failure”, notes Evans.

He tells Engineering News that the mechanically fixed steel housing arrangement is what differentiates Megaroller’s steel roller from conventional steel rollers currently available on the market, as “welded-on bearing housings cause conventional steel rollers to warp, resulting in bearing misalignment and premature bearing failure”.

Evans notes that the steel rollers were tested at several customer sites from February to May, and that feedback has since been positive.

“Customers tell us that the steel roller outlasts conventional steel rollers. They are also impressed with the roller’s quiet operation and note that they roll easier than traditional steel rollers,” says Evans, adding that using these rollers creates a healthier work environment.

Evans says the price of the steel rollers varies according to diameter size, shaft thickness and roller lengths. Customers can also request custom specifications such as anti-run-back units or specific bearing brands.

“However, we offer a new entry price for Megaroller steel rollers and are now able to compete with traditional steel rollers. With these rollers, we are competitively priced yet continue to provide a superior product,” says Evans.

Manufacturing Standards
Evans tells Engineering News that Megaroller’s new-generation rollers are manufactured at the company’s ISO 9001-certified plant in Brits, in the North West.

He adds that, while the company is still applying for its South African National Standards (Sans) certification, it already manufactures the steel rollers according to Sans specifications.

Megaroller can also manufacture the rollers to comply with international specifications such as those of North American conveyor safety and application standards organisation the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturing Association, Evans says.

He notes that the bearings in the new-generation steel roller are lubricated at the factory and are placed in protective housing that is completely sealed. This eliminates the need to lubricate them at user level, prevents the risk of over- or underlubricating the bearings and mitigates the risk of bearing failure, owing to lack of lubrication.

Evans says customers also have the option of their rollers being manufactured using the bearing brand of their choice.

Meanwhile, Megaroller GM Sarel Koekemoer tells Engineering News that the optimised efficiency and longer life span of the Megaroller steel roller, compared with traditional steel rollers, mean that companies benefit from lower maintenance costs and an improved total cost of ownership.

He adds that, at a time when cost curtailment is a business priority, these benefits will be highly valued by materials handling companies.

Koekemoer tells Engineering News that Megaroller was established to mitigate poor-quality steel rollers in the market, adding that the company has continuously built on its founding principles of providing longer-lasting products for industry.

“Rollers might neither be safety critical nor a major cost component, but their failure can be costly in terms of lost production. The added benefit of our rollers is that they are lighter in weight, which means energy savings and safer handling,” concludes Koekemoer.

Edited by Samantha Herbst
Creamer Media Deputy Editor

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