Troughing rollers are an essential aspect of the mining industry. They support conveyor belts by positioning them toward a specific direction, minimizing the potential for deposits spilling over the belt and allowing the belt to hold more deposits.
Troughing rollers are round, durable tubes that are strung together, forming a contraption known as a troughing idler. A roller has a circular range of motion within an idler, expediting the entire conveyor process and making it more flexible. Many idlers have roller configurations that are positioned at an angle, to cradle the load of a conveyor and distribute weight evenly and efficiently. This allows the load bearing capacity of a conveyor belt to be fully taken advantage of.
Although the most commonly used idler is known as an “equal troughing idler” that equally divides weight across three rollers, idlers can come in many different shapes that can be customized for a business’s needs, just by changing the roller grouping. Idlers designed for heavy-duty use can employ an impact roller. Flat idlers feature just one, large roller. Unequal troughing idlers feature three rollers of different sizes. Channel mount idlers employ roller groups that are set lower to the ground. Garland idlers use small roller configurations to form a U-shaped support mechanism. The more rollers utilized, the more consistent the shape of the idler. A consistent idler shape can transport more material (and make more money), depending on a business’s needs.
Troughing rollers are usually made of polyurethane because it is a very easy material to mold and manufacture. Polyurethane starts as liquid plastic that can then be pressed into virtually any size or shape. It can be designed to fit any system and can be customized toward a business’s desired properties. The material is very lightweight, and does not cause any stress on a system. But at the same time, polyurethane is capable of supporting impressive amounts of weight, similar to comparatively heavy metal roller configurations. Polyurethane also does not conduct electricity and cannot pass any seismic current through its composition. This means that a roller stays securely in place and performs its job effectively, no matter the conditions. Additionally, polyurethane will never rust, and has the potential for generations of longevity, much more than many other rollers on the market.
Polyurethane troughing rollers are fundamental parts of mining and the industry’s operations. Although somewhat understated, the difference between strong, durable, long lasting rollers and cheaply made idler parts can make or break a company’s position in the market.