Powered Conveyors

Types of Powered Conveyors

Different powered conveyor technologies are designed for different products, environments, and levels of automation.

Belt Conveyors

Belt conveyors move products on a continuous motor-driven belt. The solid conveying surface supports bags, irregular products, small components, and materials that could fall between conveyor rollers.

Belt systems are also commonly evaluated for incline, decline, and product-gapping applications. Barron Equipment’s lineup includes the LEWCO AS-1 belt conveyor.

24V Motor-Driven Roller Conveyors

Motor-driven roller conveyors use a 24V brushless DC motor inside the conveyor rollers to move cartons and totes through independently controlled zones.

These systems can support zero-pressure accumulation, allowing products to queue without touching. Sensors detect when a downstream zone is occupied and stop the upstream zone until space becomes available.

Powered Roller Accumulating Curves

Powered accumulation curves maintain controlled product movement through changes in direction. The Roach 596 and 796 models use tapered rollers to guide products through curved conveyor layouts while supporting accumulation.

The analyzed Roach 796 configuration operates at 60 feet per minute and supports up to 15 pounds per roller or 70 pounds per zone.

Chain-Driven Live Roller Transfers

Chain-driven live roller, or CDLR, conveyors use chains and sprockets to power individual rollers. This creates positive movement for heavier loads and applications where slip resistance is important.

The Roach Model 595 is a 90-degree tapered CDLR transfer designed to redirect loads within production and distribution conveyor systems.

Hinged-Steel-Belt Chip Conveyors

Hinged-steel-belt conveyors use interlocking steel sections to move metal chips, swarf, turnings, stampings, and scrap. Their rugged construction supports metalworking environments where standard belting could be damaged by sharp, hot, or oily material.

Titan Conveyors Models 610 through 660 include belt pitches from 2½ to 6 inches for different chip and scrap applications.

Magnetic Conveyors

Magnetic conveyors use permanent magnets beneath a stainless-steel deck to move ferrous metal chips, fine scrap, and small metal components.

The New London Engineering Model 700 is available in widths from 6 to 18 inches and lengths up to 20 feet. Magnetic conveyors are especially useful for small ferrous materials that could pass through or interfere with other conveyor designs.

Powered Conveyor Comparison

What Is Zero-Pressure Accumulation?

Zero-pressure accumulation allows cartons or totes to stop in separate conveyor zones without contacting one another. Sensors monitor each zone and pause upstream movement when the next zone is occupied.

This technology can help protect:

• Fragile cartons
• Packaged products
• Barcode labels
• Totes
• Products sensitive to back pressure

Zero-pressure accumulation is commonly used in distribution centers, e-commerce fulfillment operations, packaging lines, and automated material-handling systems.

Powered Conveyor Application Guide

How to Choose a Powered Conveyor

Product Type

Start by identifying what the conveyor must move:

• Cartons or totes
• Bags
• Small parts
• Irregular products
• Heavy containers
• Pallets
• Metal chips or scrap

The product’s size, weight, shape, and bottom surface will help determine whether a belt, roller, CDLR, magnetic, or hinged-steel-belt system is appropriate.

Throughput

Determine how frequently products must move and whether the line requires continuous transport, intermittent movement, or accumulation between processes.

High-throughput and automated operations may benefit from powered-zone controls, sensors, and zero-pressure accumulation.

Conveyor Layout

Identify whether the system requires:

• Straight transport
• Curves
• Inclines or declines
• Accumulation zones
• 90-degree transfers
• Machine or packaging-line integration

Operating Environment

The facility environment can narrow the selection quickly. Distribution operations may prioritize quiet operation and product protection, while metalworking facilities may require equipment capable of handling sharp, hot, oily, or abrasive material.

Automation Requirements

Consider whether the system must integrate with sensors, controls, production machinery, packaging equipment, or warehouse automation.

Powered vs. Gravity Conveyors

Choose a powered conveyor when:

• Products must move across level surfaces
• Speed control is required
• Accumulation is needed
• Throughput is high
• Automated transport is a priority
• Products must travel longer distances

Choose a gravity conveyor when a suitable slope or manual movement is practical and automated product control is unnecessary.

Many facilities use both systems. Powered conveyors handle primary transport, while gravity sections support packing, staging, order picking, and shipping operations.

Common Applications

Powered conveyors are used in:

• Order fulfillment and e-commerce distribution
• Warehousing
• Manufacturing
• Assembly operations
• Packaging and labeling
• CNC machining
• Metal stamping
• Die casting
• Forging
• Machine-tool chip removal

The correct system depends on whether the primary goal is controlled product transport, accumulation, directional transfer, or scrap removal.

Installation and Service

Powered conveyor planning should account for:

• Product dimensions and weight
• Conveyor speed
• Required load capacity
• Accumulation and controls
• Facility layout
• Electrical requirements
• Sensors and automation
• Equipment integration
• Maintenance access
• Future system expansion

Barron Equipment provides powered conveyor planning, installation, and service. Barron Equipment serves all of Iowa and Illinois, plus parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska.

Purchase Online or Request a Quote

The products in this category use a mixed purchasing model. Standard configurations may be available to purchase online, while products marked “Read more” require a custom quote based on the application, layout, and load requirements.

Request a quote online for custom conveyor-system planning, integration, or application-specific configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a powered conveyor?

A powered conveyor is a motor-driven system that uses a belt, chain, roller motor, or other powered mechanism to move products through a production or distribution line. Powered systems can control product speed, direction, and accumulation.

What types of powered conveyors does Barron Equipment carry?

Barron Equipment carries belt conveyors, 24V motor-driven roller conveyors, powered accumulation curves, CDLR transfers, hinged-steel-belt chip conveyors, and magnetic conveyors.

What is a hinged-steel-belt conveyor used for?

Hinged-steel-belt conveyors move chips and scrap in CNC machining, die-casting, stamping, forging, and other metalworking operations. Their steel construction supports wet, dry, hot, oily, and sharp-edged material.

What is a 24V motor-driven roller conveyor?

A 24V MDR conveyor uses brushless DC motors within conveyor zones to move products. Sensors can control each zone independently and support zero-pressure accumulation.

Does Barron Equipment install powered conveyors?

Yes. Barron Equipment provides powered conveyor planning, installation, integration, and service support throughout its service area.

How do I order a powered conveyor?

Standard configurations may be available online. Custom systems and products marked “Read more” require an online quote based on the application, load, and facility layout.

Powered Conveyor Selection Assistance

Barron Equipment helps warehouses, manufacturers, distribution centers, fulfillment operations, packaging facilities, and metalworking operations compare powered conveyors based on load requirements, throughput, facility layout, controls, and operating environment.

Request a quote online to determine the right powered conveyor system for your facility.