Motorised Rollers
Zone-by-zone control, zero-pressure accumulation — the smart conveyor building block.
Quick Answer
What are Motorised Rollers?
Motorised roller (MDR) conveyor systems represent the modern standard for energy-efficient, zone-controlled material transport. Unlike traditional line-shaft conveyors driven by a single continuous motor, MDR systems power each zone independently using brushless DC motors built into individual rollers. This enables zero-pressure accumulation (ZPA) — items queue without product-to-product contact, protecting fragile goods and eliminating jams. Allied Automation designs and integrates MDR conveyor systems for pick module transport, packing line infeed, despatch staging, and inter-area connections. The modular design makes expansion straightforward, and energy consumption is dramatically lower than equivalent line-shaft systems — rollers only power when an item is present.
Product Overview
Motorised roller (MDR) conveyor systems represent the modern standard for energy-efficient, zone-controlled material transport. Unlike traditional line-shaft conveyors driven by a single continuous motor, MDR systems power each zone independently using brushless DC motors built into individual rollers. This enables zero-pressure accumulation (ZPA) — items queue without product-to-product contact, protecting fragile goods and eliminating jams. Allied Automation designs and integrates MDR conveyor systems for pick module transport, packing line infeed, despatch staging, and inter-area connections. The modular design makes expansion straightforward, and energy consumption is dramatically lower than equivalent line-shaft systems — rollers only power when an item is present.
How It Works
MDR conveyor specification begins with your product matrix and throughput model. Zone length is determined by the longest item in your range. Drive rollers are selected for load capacity, and the zone controller logic is programmed for your accumulation, release, and speed requirements. Installations are modular — conveyor sections arrive pre-assembled for rapid on-site deployment, reducing installation time compared to traditional conveyor types. Zone controllers communicate via IO-Link or CANopen, enabling individual zone diagnostics and speed control from a central PLC or edge controller. Integration with WMS or WES allows dynamic speed and zone control in response to real-time order flow.
Applications
Technical Highlights
| Individual zone control with ZPA logic | |
| Energy saving | rollers only run when product present |
| Brushless DC motors — low noise, low maintenance | |
| Cold-store rated configurations to -25°C | |
| IO-Link / CANopen zone communication | |
| Modular design — 250 mm to 1,500 mm zone widths |
Frequently Asked Questions
Industries We Serve
E-Commerce Automation Solutions
Fulfil more orders, faster — automated e-commerce logistics built for South African growth.
Explore solutionsManufacturing Automation Solutions
Keep your production lines fed — intelligent intralogistics automation for manufacturers.
Explore solutionsMedical & Pharmaceutical Automation Solutions
Precision, compliance, and cold-chain integrity — automation for healthcare logistics.
Explore solutionsInterested in Motorised Rollers for Your Operation?
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