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About Rubber Rollers
Rubber rollers, also called "rubber rolls," are
cylindrical tubes used to facilitate movement to machine components.
Rubber rollers also provide support and transportation to materials moving
through the machine. Rubber roller manufacturers produce rubber rollers
that vary widely in size, ranging from one inch to several inches in
length. Width also varies. Rubber rollers are often formed with the vulcanized
molded process that uses heat and pressure to cure the rubber. The rubber
is then bonded to the core.
Rubber rollers are common components of many different types of machinery,
including web machines, converters, roller conveyor systems and printing
machines. Process rollers alter roller systems by providing directional
changes and changing power transmission levels. Unlike process rolls,
idler rolls do not alter the rollers systems but simply provide support
and the means of transportation of materials. Rubber rollers are used
in photocopiers, laser printers, photographic imaging and printing presses.
The medical industry uses rubber rollers in medical chart recorders and
medical imaging equipment. Rubber rollers are also used in mailrooms
for high-speed mail sorting. Other rubber rollers include film and microfilm
rollers and magnetic tape capstans. Elastomeric rubber rollers include
application or dispensing, squeegee, transfer, energy-absorbing and drive
rollers.
Rubber roller manufacturers use a variety of rubber materials. Neoprene
is a general purpose material that has good mechanical properties, chemical
resistance and high resilience. Nip rolls, pull rolls and feed rolls
in flexo and gravure printing machines are typically made of neoprene.
Nitrile, also known as “NBR” or “Buna-N,” is
the most commonly used elastomer in the printing industry, as it is exceptionally
resistant to oils, chemicals and water. Silicone is a fairly expensive
covering material that has good high temperature, chemical and ozone
resistance. Certain rubber roller manufacturers coat rubber rollers with
EPDM (sometimes referred to as “EPT”), because it has excellent
ozone, chemical and heat resistance up to 350ºF (176.7ºC). Polyurethane
has high-friction characteristics and is used in applications in which
toughness and cut resistance are necessary (e.g. pull rolls). Hypalon
has good physical, chemical resistive and temperature capabilities, as
well as excellent ozone characteristics, making it ideal for a wide variety
of roller applications. Viton is a very expensive material used for its
excellent chemical resistance and high temperature characteristics.
The proper selection of rubber rollers depends on several important factors,
including industrial applications, machinery size and product shape,
size and weight. Environmental conditions, such as temperature and moisture,
to which the rubber rollers will be exposed during operation, must also
be considered. Substances, such as chemicals, oils and acids, with which
the rubber rollers might come into contact, must also be considered before
determining the appropriate type of roller. The outside diameter and
runout tolerances, surface finish, hub material and amount of tackiness
are characteristics that one should be aware of when designing rollers,
especially clean rubber rollers. It is critical to understand how the
physical properties of rubber rollers compare to the actual operating
conditions and to keep up to date on improvements in roller technology.
This knowledge allows for improvement of the equipment performance and
end-product quality.
Featured
Articles
Hiawatha
Rubber
http://www.designnews.com/article/CA150412.html?ref=nbra
Types of Rubber Rollers
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are used in countless applications to clean varying surfaces. Clean
rollers are highly specialized and are especially useful for removing
dust and particulate.
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are integral components of roller
conveyor systems. Conveyor rollers, that form roller beds, transport
materials along the conveyor from one location to another.
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have internal bearings at the location of the spinning roll body that
rotate around a stationary, or dead, shaft.
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are rubber-coated rollers used in the printing process to distribute
ink from the fountain to the ink drum.
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have integral shafts with a keyway for sprockets or gears in order to
run the roller.
- ,
also called “guide rollers,” provide support to the roller
system. However, idler rolls do not convey power or make changes
in direction like process rolls.
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are rolls containing external bearings in which both the roll shaft
and the roll rotate. These rollers work best under high loads and
rough environmental conditions, such as high temperatures.
- ,
or "urethane rollers," are strong and abrasion resistant.
Although urethane rolls have a low resistance to acids, they maintain
good resistance to chemicals and oils.
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perform well in low temperatures and maintain good strength and elastomeric
properties. However, natural rubber rolls have a low heat and oil resistance.
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have great weather and heat resistance and maintain a moderate resistance
to most chemicals.
- are cylinders used in industrial equipment to move machine components and products.
- are rubber tubes that facilitate movement of materials through machinery.
- ,
while often more costly than other types of rubber rollers, perform
well under temperatures as high as 500º F (260º C). Silicone rolls
also have great resistance to ozone and chemicals but are not typically
used in situations requiring great strength.
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rotate around a stationary shaft and have internal bearings.
- are made of a thermoplastic polymer and are used in printing presses, labeling machines, and as ink rollers.
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are hourglass-shaped rollers that may or may not have outside or integral
bearings. “V” rollers are used for conveying pipe longitudinally.
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are used to prevent web wrinkling and to fix wrinkles by stretching
and spreading the web.
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