Accumulation roller is special arranged to meet the requirement of goods accumulation. The difference to driven roller is the connection type between driving head and roller itself. The ordinary driven roller is fixed connection, the accumulation roller is movable connection. Accumulation transportation is also called piled transportation. It has not only the function of common drive transportation, but also the feature that goods stop and pile up on the conveyor line in the condition of driving element still operating, while the operating resistance is not obviously increased.
In normal conveying, the accumulation device transmit the moment of force. But when goods stopped and piled up, the operating moment of resistance exceeds the roller's definitive working moment of force, the accumulation sleeve or friction slice slips, roller and driving element are in the condition of flexible connection. It appears that rollers under the goods stop running, only the driving element is steel running.
Controllable Disengagement: Each accumulation roller is equipped with an internal clutch (pneumatic, electromagnetic, or mechanical). Upon receiving a "stop/accumulate" signal, the clutch disengages, stopping the roller from rotating (even if the drive shaft continues to turn), which also halts the goods resting on it.
Pressure Elimination: Subsequent goods continue conveying and gently push against the already stopped goods ahead. Upon contact, their own rollers sequentially stop as well. This process eliminates rigid compressive forces between goods, thereby protecting them from damage.
On-Demand Release: When goods in the forward area are removed or cleared, the control system issues a "release" signal. The clutch re-engages, restoring power to the roller, which then conveys the accumulated goods forward sequentially and smoothly.
Segmented Precise Control: The conveyor line can be divided into multiple independent control zones, each composed of accumulation rollers. The operating state (conveying/stopped) of each zone can be controlled individually, enabling zonal management, dynamic buffering, and sequencing of materials.
Seamless System Integration: Through a PLC, it receives commands from sensors (photoelectric, limit switches), higher-level systems (WMS/MES), or other equipment, enabling fully automated start-stop logic. This makes it an ideal choice for automated sorting, assembly, and packaging lines.
No Crush Damage: Fundamentally prevents product deformation and surface scratches caused by blockages on traditional continuous conveyor lines (especially critical for appliances, precision instruments, and packaging).
Low-Impact Startup: Goods start moving smoothly from a standstill, avoiding the risk of toppling or shifting caused by instant acceleration.
Reduced Equipment Load: The system provides power only to zones that need to move goods, reducing motor start-up shocks and continuous operating energy consumption, thereby extending the overall lifespan of the equipment.
Continuous Feeding: Allows upstream processes to run continuously. Materials automatically accumulate and buffer before bottleneck processes, ensuring the production line does not come to a complete halt due to local pauses.
Simplified Process: Eliminates the need for complex mechanical stops or lift mechanisms to achieve blocking and releasing, simplifying conveyor line design.
High Reliability: Modular design means faults are typically confined to individual rollers, making them easy to diagnose and replace without affecting the entire line's operation.
Automotive Manufacturing: Accumulates and supplies car bodies and components to different workstations on assembly lines, enabling mixed-model production.
Distribution and Sorting Centers: Queues and sequences parcels before the sorter infeed to ensure accurate spacing and feeding rhythm.
Packaging and Palletizing Lines: Forms buffer queues before case sealers, bundlers, and robotic palletizers to balance pace differences.
Airport Baggage Handling: Accumulates luggage before security checks and sortation points to prevent congestion and mis-sorting.
Automated Warehousing: Serves as buffer and flow control nodes in inbound/outbound conveyor systems.
Drive Method:
Single/Double Chain-Driven Accumulation: Each roller is controlled by a single drive shaft running through them via a clutch, which keeps costs low.
Independent Electric Drive Accumulation: Each accumulation roller is an independent "motorized accumulation roller." Offers more precise control, more complex wiring, and extremely high flexibility.
Actuation Method:
Pneumatic Control: Uses air cylinders to actuate the clutch. Requires an air supply. Fast response, high power.
Electromagnetic Control: Uses solenoids for engagement. Convenient control, suitable for clean environments.
Key Selection Criteria:
Load Capacity and Roller Pitch.
Control Method (Normally Open/Normally Closed) and Response Time.
System Communication Interface (I/O points, bus protocols, etc.).
Environmental Requirements (Dust/water protection rating).
The core characteristic of accumulation rollers lies in their capability for "intelligent clutching" and "pressure elimination." They upgrade simple continuous conveying into programmable, interruptible, and buffer-capable flexible conveying. By deeply integrating mechanical transmission with automatic control, accumulation rollers perfectly solve common production and logistics challenges such as pace imbalance, flow fluctuations, and space occupation — all without damaging goods or stopping the entire line. They are a foundational technology for building efficient, reliable, and flexible automated systems. Selection requires comprehensive consideration based on goods characteristics, system cycle time, control complexity, and budget constraints.
