10 Side Guide Rollers

What are side guide rollers?

Guide rollers ensure proper alignment and tracking of conveyor belts, reducing maintenance issues and extending belt life.

They are placed at critical points along the conveyor path to keep belts from running off the pulleys and preventing drift.

This alignment minimizes wear on the belt edges and prevents material spillage.

Side Guide Roller keeps conveyor belt in alignment

What materials are guide rollers made of?

MaterialAbrasive ResistanceFatigue ResistanceSustainabilityThermal ConductivityToughnessCorrosion Resistance
Mild Steel★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Polyurethane★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Rubber★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Plastics★★★★★★★★★★★★★★
Sources

Abrasion Resistance:
https://www.steelwarehouse.com/abrasion-resistant-steel/
https://www.nextgentest.com/blog/din-abrasion-tester-and-standards-of-rubber-testing/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10144973/
https://www.elastocon.com/learn-more/about-testing/determination-of-abrasive-wear-resistance
https://erez-therm.com/abrasion-resistance/
https://coatings.specialchem.com/coatings-properties/abrasion-resistance

Fatigue Resistance:
https://step-lab.com/astm/astm-d7791/
https://www.testresources.net/applications/standards/astm/astm-d7791-uniaxial-fatigue-properties-of-plastics
https://www.smithers.com/services/testing/standard/astm/astm-d4482
https://intapi.sciendo.com/pdf/10.1515/fas-2014-0006
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatigue_limit
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9369594/

Sustainability:
https://sections.arcelormittal.com/repository2/Sections/6_58_EPD%20Structural%20Steel%20sections%20and%20merchant%20bars.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873020/
https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?doi=457d518e5e15efb460de5a3c44384a8b869a4932&repid=rep1&type=pdf
https://pcr-epd.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/470.EPD_for__Rebar_FINAL_20191212.pdf
https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/2/737
https://www.iso.org/plasticpollution
https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications/standards/plastics-standards.html
https://www.behr.com/binaries/content/assets/behrpro/pdf/epd/116.1_behr-alkyd-enamel-epd.pdf

Thermal Conductivity:
https://thermtest.com/testing-services/thermal-conductivity
https://www.tainstruments.com/pdf/literature/Accurate%20Simultaneous%20Measurements%20of%20Thermal%20Conductivity%20and%20Specific%20Heat.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_thermal_conductivities
https://www.engineersedge.com/properties_of_metals.htm
https://australianmodernbuildingalliance.org.au/images/amba/resources/Physical_properties_of_polyurethane_insulation.pdf
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-C13-9d3193e93202905da6c546702b1a9d73/pdf/GOVPUB-C13-9d3193e93202905da6c546702b1a9d73.pdf
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/840826
https://www.astm.org/d5930-17.html
https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/2069/1/012090/pdf

Toughness:
https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/13366/1/MQ45596.pdf
https://www.instron.com/-/media/literature-library/products/2021/03/impact-handbook.pdf?la=en
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-C13-9d3193e93202905da6c546702b1a9d73/pdf/GOVPUB-C13-9d3193e93202905da6c546702b1a9d73.pdf
https://www.sunray-inc.com/technical-data/
https://www.osti.gov/biblio/840826
https://omnexus.specialchem.com/polymer-property/toughness
https://www.nextgentest.com/blog/the-process-of-plastic-impact-testing-and-impact-sample-preparation-for-plastics/

Corrosion Resistance:
https://www.plymouth.com/resources/corrosion-testing-of-metals-is-it-needed/
https://tft-pneumatic.com/blog/astm-corrosion-tests-and-standards/
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-C13-9d3193e93202905da6c546702b1a9d73/pdf/GOVPUB-C13-9d3193e93202905da6c546702b1a9d73.pdf
https://www.journal-dogorangsang.in/no_1_sept-dec_20/112.pdf
https://www.academia.edu/82610815/Analysis_of_the_Effect_of_Abrasive_Material_and_Polyurethane_Coating_Thickness_Variations_on_ASTM_A36_Steel_Towards_Corrosion_Rate_in_Sea_Water_Environment
https://www.astm.org/products-services/standards-and-publications/standards/plastics-standards.html
https://blog.ansi.org/2020/04/iso-12944-corrosion-protection-steel-paint/
https://www.smithers.com/industries/materials/polymer/physical-testing/environmental-resistance-testing/corrosion-testing

Abrasive Resistance: The ability to withstand wear when in contact with abrasive materials, such as gravel or sand.

Fatigue Resistance: The ability to endure repeated stress cycles without failure.

Sustainability: The ability to be efficiently recycled and reused at the end of their service life.

Thermal Conductivity: The ability to conduct heat generated from friction and continuous operation.

Toughness (impact): The ability to absorb energy and withstand shock and impact without cracking.

Corrosive Resistance: The ability to resist damage from corrosive environments, such as exposure to chemicals or moisture.

Steel

Pros:

  • Excellent Wear and Fatigue Resistance: Ideal for continuous operation and able to withstand numerous cycles of stress without failure
  • Efficient Heat Dissipation: Prevents degradation under high operational temperatures.

Cons:

  • Variable Corrosion Resistance: Unprotected steel in non-contact zones can rust

List of Steel Guide Roller Manufacturers

ManufacturerImageHQAvailability
rulmeca.comRulmeca Guide Roller SteelItalyGlobal
proguideroller.comPROGUIDE Guide Roller SteelCanadaCanada, USA, South America

Order Online
krumscheid.deKrumscheid Guide Roller SteelGermany
kuepper.euKeupper Guide Roller SteelGermany
Steel Guide Roller Manufacturers

Polyurethane

Pros:

  • Superior Abrasive and Corrosion Resistance: Performs well in acidic or abrasive settings, reducing wear-related downtime.
  • Good Impact Resistance: Designed to absorb impacts effectively, maintaining integrity through numerous operational cycles even under varied load conditions.

Cons:

  • Heat Issues: Poor heat conductivity can lead to overheating in high-friction scenarios.

List of Polyurethane Guide Roller Manufacturers

ManufacturerImageHQAvailability
ppi-global.comPPI Guide Roller PolyurethaneUSACanada, USA, South America
kinder.com.auKinder Guide Roller PolyurethaneAustraliaGlobal
luffindustries.comLuff Industries Guide Roller SteelCanadaCanada, USA
americaneaglemanufacturing.comAEM Guide Roller UrethaneUSA
Polyurethane Guide Roller Manufacturers

Rubber

Pros:

  • Effective Vibration Damping: Reduces operational noise and extends the lifespan of machinery components.
  • High Elasticity: Rubber’s flexibility allows it to maintain good contact with conveyor belts, enhancing grip and reducing slippage.

Cons:

  • Service Life: Generally shorter in high-stress or high-load conditions due to lower fatigue resistance.

List of Rubber Guide Roller Manufacturers

ManufacturerImageHQAvailability
everpads.comEverpads Guide Roller RubberTaiwan
Rubber Guide Roller Manufacturers

Plastic

Pros:

  • High Corrosion Resistance: Excellent choice for wet or chemically active environments, preventing material breakdown.
  • Adequate Toughness and Wear Resistance: Suitable for lighter-duty applications.

Cons:

  • Service Life: Moderate; performs well under typical conditions but less durable in extreme environments.

List of Plastic Guide Roller Manufacturers

ManufacturerImageHQAvailability
kuepper.euKeupper Guide Roller PlasticGermany
Plastic Guide Roller Manufacturers

Frequently asked questions

Why are guide rollers essential for alignment?

Guide rollers are strategically positioned along the conveyor at key points including turns, transitions, and loading zones.

Their placement prevents the belt from rubbing against the conveyor frame, thereby avoiding edge damage.

This setup improves the overall conveyor efficiency and safety by reducing spillage and uneven wear.

How do you measure guide rollers to ensure the belt is properly aligned?

Roller Diameter: Ensure the roller’s outer diameter aligns with the conveyor’s specifications to provide adequate contact with the belt edges.

Face Length: Measure the contact surface length of the roller, which influences the steering force applied to the belt.

Mounting Bracket Dimensions: Check the size and bolt hole spacing of the brackets to ensure they fit securely to the conveyor frame.

Clearance from Belt: Aim for approximately a 1-inch gap between the roller and the belt when centered without interference.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *