INSIGHTS

Custom Roller Conveyors: 5 Parameters to Prepare and Key Design Points

August 7, 2026Wuxi Yifan Logistics Equipment

Quick answer: Before ordering a custom roller conveyor, prepare 5 parameters — item length, width and height; weight per unit; condition of the item base; any special environment; and gravity or powered drive. From these the manufacturer sets roller diameter and pitch, line width, layout and material. Roller lines suit items with a flat base; bulk, small or irregular items should travel in totes or on pallets; food plants should choose a full stainless frame and stainless rollers.

5 parameters to define first

Parameter	Why it matters
1. Item length, width, height	Sets line width, roller pitch and curve radius
2. Weight per unit	Sets roller diameter, wall thickness and drive power
3. Base condition	Whether the base is flat or has protrusions decides if rollers suit and at what pitch
4. Special environment	Wet, wash-down, heat, dust, ESD — decides material and protection
5. Drive type	Gravity (manual push or slope) or motor-driven

It also helps to send conveying length, items per hour, upstream and downstream heights, and a layout drawing or photos — the proposal and quote will be more accurate.

Key design points

Roller pitch

The rule of thumb is that the item base should rest on at least three rollers at once — the shorter the item, the tighter the pitch.

Line width

Rollers are normally somewhat longer than the item is wide, leaving room for guides and drift; curves need extra width.

Layout

By drive: gravity, powered and accumulating rollers;
By layout: horizontal, inclined and curved roller conveyors;
Special designs to customer requirements.

Material

Powder-coated or galvanised carbon steel for general plants; full stainless frame and stainless rollers for food.

Roller lines connect easily and can be combined with other conveyors and machines into complex material-handling systems; accumulation rollers allow product queuing. For chain-driven powered roller lines, chain tensile strength limits length, so single zones should not be too long — long lines are split into separately driven zones.