Overview
BPD plates are designed to replace rollers in existing sections of gravity roller conveyor and are typically used as transition or positioning areas within the line.
The BPD is the simplest and most cost-effective way to add ball transfer capability to a conveyor system that is already installed. Instead of purchasing an entirely new ball transfer conveyor section (like the BPC) and reconfiguring the line, the BPD drops directly into an existing gravity roller conveyor frame. You remove the rollers from a section of the frame, bolt the BPD plate into the frame rails using the 7/16-inch mounting slots, and the conveyor now has a ball transfer zone exactly where you need it.
Specifications
- Width: 9 inches to 51 inches
- Length: 2 inches to 24 inches
- Ball centers: 2 in., 3 in., 4 in., 6 in. Also available in dense (1.81 in. x 1.56 in.) and 3 in. staggered patterns.
- Ball transfer: Standard 1-inch diameter steel ball (65 lb capacity), 1/4-20 UNC stud mount, zinc plated housing
- Construction: Formed 12-gauge steel pan with 7/16-inch slots for attaching to existing frame rails
- Standard finish: OSHA safety blue powder coat. Optional colors available.
How the Drop-In Design Works
The BPD is designed to fit inside existing gravity roller conveyor frame rails. The installation process is straightforward: remove the rollers from the desired section of the conveyor, slide the BPD plate into position between the frame rails, and bolt it into place using the 7/16-inch mounting slots on both sides of the pan. The ball transfer surface sits at the same height as the rollers that were removed, creating a smooth transition from rolling surface to multidirectional ball transfer surface and back.
The short length range (2 to 24 inches) reflects the intended use case — you are replacing a small section of rollers, not an entire conveyor segment. This keeps the modification localized and minimizes disruption to the rest of the conveyor line.
Load Capacity
Load capacity varies based on how many balls the product contacts at any given time. With an evenly distributed load, it is generally safe to use four times the capacity of an individual ball as the total capacity. The standard steel ball is rated at 65 lbs each.
Ball Transfer Options
- Standard 65 lb capacity steel ball, unsealed (not available for dense ball centers)
- 50 lb capacity steel ball, sealed
- 50 lb capacity nylon ball, unsealed (non-marring)
- 75 lb capacity steel ball, sealed
- 100 lb capacity stainless steel ball and housing, unsealed (corrosion resistant)
Applications
The BPD is commonly used to retrofit existing conveyor lines with ball transfer zones for product rotation at inspection or labeling stations, sorting points where operators push products laterally off the main conveyor line, transition areas where products need to be realigned before continuing downstream, side-loading or side-unloading points where products are moved laterally onto or off the conveyor, and any point in an existing conveyor system where multidirectional movement is needed but replacing the entire section is not practical or cost-effective.
Options
- Ball table cover plate: 12-gauge formed steel (not intended for walking on)
Selection Assistance
Choose the BPD when you need to add ball transfer capability to a specific location within an existing gravity roller conveyor line and want to avoid replacing the entire conveyor section. If you are designing a new conveyor system and need a full ball transfer section with its own frame, choose the BPC conveyor frame model instead. If you need a standalone workstation, choose the BPA (plate for existing surfaces) or BPB (freestanding with supports).
Barron Equipment provides conveyor system planning, installation, and service support across Iowa, Illinois, and parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska. Request a quote to add ball transfer zones to your existing conveyor layout.