08B Heavy Duty Friction Roller Assemblies for Accumulation Conveyor Systems

New Heavy-Duty Accumulation Conveyor Solution | Henton HDMCAA Series 08B Friction Roller Assemblies

Five configurations for compact layouts, standard heavy-duty lines, frequent accumulation, and large-section conveyor systems

On automated assembly, inspection, and robotic loading/unloading lines, workpiece pallets do not move continuously at all times. They must stop at assembly stations, wait during inspection, and queue temporarily when downstream cycle times change. In heavy-duty pallet conveying, a rigidly driven roller system can continue applying force after a pallet is stopped, increasing the load on the chain, sprockets, bearings, and drive system.

To address these applications, Henton has introduced the HDMCAA Series 08B Friction Roller Assemblies for use with dedicated heavy-duty aluminum conveyor profiles. The chain-driven friction roller design supports continuous conveying, stopping, buffering, and accumulation of workpiece pallets and carriers. The series is available in multiple track sections and roller sizes to suit different machine envelopes, conveying heights, pallet structures, and production cycle requirements.

Friction Rollers for Continuous Conveying and Station-by-Station Accumulation

The HDMCAA Series uses an 08B chain as the main drive. The motor drives the chain, the chain turns the sprocket on each roller assembly, and the friction mechanism transfers torque to the roller, moving the workpiece pallet or carrier forward.

When a pallet reaches a designated station and is stopped by a stopper, the friction drive allows controlled relative slip under resistance. The pallet remains stationary while the main drive chain can continue running. This allows different stations on the same conveyor to wait, process, and release pallets according to their own cycle times without repeatedly starting and stopping the entire drive system.

In an automated line, this operating principle is typically combined with stopping, positioning, and inspection mechanisms. A pallet enters the station, stops and is positioned; a robot or machine performs assembly, inspection, fastening, or another process; the stopper is then released and the pallet moves to the next operation. While the upstream station is working, following carriers can queue in the designated buffer zone, creating controlled accumulation without interrupting the entire conveyor.

08B Chain Drive and 45# Steel Construction for Industrial Duty

The roller assemblies are designed for 08B chain transmission, with a 12.7 mm chain pitch shown in the drawings. The chain can be routed inside the conveyor track and used to drive multiple roller assemblies in sequence, making the system well suited to continuous operation in industrial automation equipment.

The main components are made from 45# steel with chrome-plated and blackened surface treatments. The steel roller, shaft, sprocket, and bearing arrangement is intended for the mechanical strength, wear resistance, and long-term operating stability required by industrial conveying equipment. Actual load capacity and roller spacing should be calculated according to pallet dimensions, total load, accumulation quantity, and overall conveyor layout.

Five Models for Different Track Sections and Conveyor Layouts

The current HDMCAA range includes five main configurations. They differ in track height, roller diameter, roller width, sprocket tooth count, and shaft arrangement, covering applications from low-profile compact equipment to large-section heavy-duty conveyor systems.

HDMCAA-86135-08B | Compact Heavy-Duty Friction Roller Assembly

HDMCAA-86135-08B Friction Roller Assembly

HDMCAA-86135-08B is shown with an approximately 86 × 135 mm track section, a Ø78 × 30 mm friction roller, and a 12-tooth 08B sprocket. Its lower track height helps reduce the overall conveyor profile. The roller is positioned above the track while the sprocket and main transmission components are housed inside the aluminum profile.

This configuration is suitable for machines with limited internal space or restricted conveying height. Typical uses include automated assembly equipment, inspection machines, pallet return loops, and medium- to heavy-duty workpiece pallet conveyors. It is especially useful when the load-bearing track and chain transmission must be integrated within a compact vertical envelope.

HDMCAA-128135-08B | Standard Heavy-Duty Pallet Conveyor Configuration

HDMCAA-128135-08B Friction Roller Assembly

HDMCAA-128135-08B is shown with an approximately 128 × 135 mm track section, a Ø82 × 40 mm roller, and a 12-tooth 08B sprocket. Compared with the 86135 version, it provides a wider roller contact surface and more internal track space, making it a practical standard configuration for heavy-duty workpiece pallet conveyors.

It can be used in automotive component assembly, new-energy equipment, motor assembly, mechanical part conveying, and large pallet circulation systems. The 40 mm roller width provides a broader contact area for the pallet, while the larger track section offers more room for the chain, shaft system, and other internal components.

HDMCAA-133135-08B | Preloaded Design for Frequent Accumulation

HDMCAA-133135-08B Friction Roller Assembly

HDMCAA-133135-08B uses an approximately 133 × 135 mm track section, a Ø88 × 40 mm friction roller, and a 14-tooth 08B sprocket. A spring preload mechanism is arranged below the shaft assembly to provide axial preload for the friction drive and to help match the required driving force to the conveyor design.

This configuration is particularly suitable for lines with frequent stopping, waiting, and buffering, such as multi-station assembly lines, robotic workstations, inspection lines, and accumulation buffer sections. Where pallets are repeatedly stopped and released, the friction drive and preload structure support a more controlled transition between normal conveying and accumulation.

HDMCAA-133141-08B | Layered Drive Layout for Higher Conveying Surfaces

HDMCAA-133141-08B Friction Roller Assembly

HDMCAA-133141-08B is shown with a track section approximately 141 mm high and 133 mm wide. It uses a Ø78 × 40 mm friction roller, a Ø25 mm shaft section, and a 12-tooth 08B sprocket. The roller surface is positioned above the track while the sprocket drive is located inside the profile, with the shaft system connecting the two levels. This creates a layered arrangement between the conveying surface and the main drive zone.

This layout is suitable for equipment with specific requirements for conveying height, clearance beneath the pallet, or the arrangement of internal mechanical components. It can be used for special pallet conveyors, automated assembly systems, inspection equipment, and lines that require additional structural clearance below the conveying surface.

HDMCAA-135186-08B | Large-Section Heavy-Duty Conveyor Configuration

HDMCAA-135186-08B Friction Roller Assembly

HDMCAA-135186-08B is shown with a track section approximately 186 mm high and 135 mm wide, a Ø88 × 40 mm friction roller, and a 12-tooth 08B sprocket. The larger section provides additional room for internal transmission, support structures, and equipment integration, making it suitable for larger workpiece pallets, heavy carriers, and large-scale automation equipment.

Typical applications include automotive components, battery PACK-related equipment, motor and gearbox assembly, and large robotic workstations. For carriers equipped with fixtures, positioning devices, or inspection tooling, the larger track section also provides more flexibility for the overall mechanical layout.

Typical Applications

New-Energy and Battery PACK Lines

Battery PACK, module, and related automation lines often include assembly, fastening, code scanning, inspection, and robotic loading/unloading. Because individual stations operate at different cycle times, pallets need to stop, position, and buffer frequently. Friction accumulation conveying allows carriers to stop and release independently according to each station’s requirements, making it suitable for multi-process continuous production.

Automotive and Mechanical Component Assembly

Automotive parts, motors, gearboxes, and other mechanical assemblies are often transported on dedicated workpiece pallets. Once the product and fixture are combined, the total load can be substantial, while the carrier must still pass through multiple assembly and inspection stations. This places higher requirements on track support, drive stability, and accumulation performance.

Robotic Automation Workstations

During robotic picking, assembly, fastening, welding, or inspection, the workpiece pallet must remain at a defined position. Stop and positioning mechanisms can hold an individual carrier while the friction roller system keeps the main drive running, allowing multiple workstations to operate in sequence on the same conveyor line.

Inspection and Testing Lines

Vision inspection, dimensional inspection, electrical testing, leak testing, and similar stations require a defined processing time. While one pallet is being tested, following pallets can queue on the upstream track and then be released in sequence, helping absorb cycle-time differences between processes.

Multi-Station Buffering and Accumulation

In continuous production, short machine stoppages, variations in manual operation time, or slower downstream processes can cause pallets to queue. An accumulation conveyor can provide multiple buffer positions along the track, allowing carriers to stop in sequence and resume movement when downstream capacity becomes available.

Selection Should Be Based on the Complete Conveyor System

Friction roller assemblies operate together with conveyor profiles, workpiece pallets, chains, drive units, stoppers, and positioning mechanisms. Model selection should therefore be based on the complete conveyor design. Key factors include available installation space, conveying height, pallet size, load, roller pitch, line speed, and accumulation conditions.

• For height-restricted equipment and low-profile layouts: HDMCAA-86135-08B is the most compact option in this series.
• For standard heavy-duty workpiece pallet conveyors and automated assembly lines: HDMCAA-128135-08B is a practical general-purpose configuration.
• For lines with frequent stopping and buffering: HDMCAA-133135-08B offers a spring-preloaded friction structure designed for repeated accumulation cycles.
• For special conveying-height or shaft-layout requirements: HDMCAA-133141-08B provides a layered drive arrangement.
• For large workpiece pallets, heavy carriers, and larger track sections: HDMCAA-135186-08B provides the largest conveyor profile in this group.

Final configuration should be confirmed against total pallet weight, maximum accumulation quantity, conveyor length, operating speed, station cycle time, stopping method, and motor selection.

From Friction Roller Assemblies to Complete Heavy-Duty Accumulation Conveyor Structures

The friction roller assembly is one of the core transmission components in an accumulation conveyor system. In operation, it works together with conveyor profiles, chains, drive units, pallets, guide structures, stoppers, and positioning mechanisms. Henton can match track sections, roller structures, and related conveyor components according to product size, load, production cycle, and line layout for different automation projects.

The five new HDMCAA Series 08B friction roller assemblies extend the range from compact low-profile tracks to large-section heavy-duty conveyor structures. They can be applied in new-energy production, automotive component manufacturing, automated assembly, inspection equipment, robotic workstations, and heavy workpiece pallet circulation systems.

The Henton HDMCAA Series 08B Friction Roller Assemblies are now available.