Roller Conveyor vs Belt Conveyor

Although there are obvious visual differences between belt and conveyors these, the phrase ‘conveyor belt’ is often used as a general term for all conveyors types but both are integral parts of many conveyor systems. 

CSL have installed both belt and roller conveyors in many different facilities including factories and warehouses and been used to handle a wide range of products from very light polybags up to heavy totes and cartons.

Both standard belt conveyors and roller conveyors are suitable for cast/tote handling, accumulation (with limited functionality on standard belts), and are low maintenance. Both systems can include bends, will integrate with merges, and have stand by modes, however there are features that are exclusive to one type or the other.

Standard belt conveyors are more suitable for small or irregular items, inclines and declines than roller conveyors, whereas only roller conveyors can be easily modded or added to, are energy efficient (in cases of motorised/gravity rollers), can integrate with diverts and can be used for sortation.

The table below highlights these differences;