Introduction
Conveyor systems come in many shapes and sizes, dictated by the applications they serve. But all powered roller conveyors fall into one of two basic categories:

• Systems using centralized multi-horsepower AC motors to drive shafts, belts, or chains that in turn move banks of rollers. These are known as Belt-Driven Live Roller (BDLR) and Lineshaft conveyors. An example is shown in Figure 1.
• Conveyors based on distributed rollers with internal DC “micro-horsepower” motors that drive a localized segment of passive rollers. These are known as Brushless DC (BLDC) roller conveyors, shown in Figure 2.

Each type has its strengths. Light, responsive BLDC elements can transport packages quickly with no collisions—a key consideration for electronics, glass and plastic items, and similarly delicate merchandise. BLDC systems are suitable for products of almost any weight. AC motor-driven conveyors, too, can handle a broad range of product weights and sizes. Historically they have been the preferred platform for the heaviest load weights.

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