Guide Rollers

A guide roller can be used in an impressive variety of applications, from something as simple as keeping a drawer or door on track, to facilitating the movement of a multistory crane. What makes them so versatile is their simple design, which can be scaled up or down to any size. They rely on basic physics to do their job, so they are extremely reliable, and even more so when made from a material like polyurethane. These conveyors are typically used dozens, if not hundreds, of times every day, so that reliability and durability is essential to its function.

Why are guide roller systems so popular?

These conveyors are easy to build and easy to implement, and in some instances, the only required component is the roller itself.

To give a clear picture of the system’s versatility, here are a few examples of where the conveyor might be found:

The conveyor can be used to help open doors or drawers, sliding back and forth as needed. In this instance, the conveyor makes contact with the door or drawer, and is slotted in a rail that ensures no lateral movement. They are most often seen as a way to open sliding glass doors, but can also prove useful in commercial settings, where they can help workers open large overhead or refrigerator doors.

The conveyor can be used as a heavy vehicle that relies on treads to move around. Heavy machinery and tanks require treads for additional stability, and these conveyors ensure the treads themselves remain stable when moving rapidly. Guide roller systems adapted for this use are scaled up and reinforced to protect them from the intense forces involved.

The conveyor is a popular implement in many forms of heavy machinery, including cranes and winches. Here, it is essential for helping cabling move up and down in a smooth, orderly fashion. The cable is run into a groove built into the conveyor and as it is raised or lowered, the conveyor rotates to ensure there is no drag. This greatly extends the life of the cable, as the alternative would be to drag it over a flat surface and wear it out.

The same principle applies in applications where the guide roller helps the cable into or out of a spool. This is how elevators are designed for consistent, smooth movement. As the elevator travels up and down, the conveyor ensures the cable is placed on the spool evenly and doesn’t bunch up. This, again, preserves the life of the cable and keeps it from getting frayed and worn out.

The system operates most efficiently when it is made with a sturdy material like polyurethane. Polyurethane resists nearly everything, including heat, cold, moisture, corrosion, impact and abrasive forces, and can do so for years before requiring replacement. This makes it an ideal choice for conveyor applications, where consistent performance is paramount.