MDR refers to Motorized Driven Roller. The motor and gearbox are built directly into the roller itself. Rather than one centralized motor driving a long stretch of idler roller, MDRs are placed in “zones” and a series of idlers are belted, or chained, to the MDR. Utilizing MDR “zones” allows you to build the conveyor to fit your products. As an example, if your max product size is 27 inches long, you may choose a 30 inch zone.
Utilizing MDR zones allows you stop a product by placing a sensor in each zone. If a product is stopped, in a zone and at that zone’s sensor, and another is coming from the upstream, it will also stop at the upstream zones sensor while never touching the downstream package that stopped first. ZPA prevents damage to packages, prevents jams and backpressure from a full line of products on a conveyor line.
The use of Zero Pressure Accumulation logic, preventing jams and damaged goods, as well as wear and tear on the conveyor itself. Power consumption, most MDR technologies today utilize 24 or 48 VDC power. The DC power can be converted from any AC voltage available in your building. MDR conveyor only runs when it needs to so if the conveyor is empty or fully accumulated, the MDRs do not use power.
The cost of MDR conveyor varies widely. Some contributing factors are zone length, width, number of sensors, weight of products, and power transmission type (O-belt, chain, Poly-v etc.)
