Pneumatic Push Roller Conveyor
The SunAura pneumatic push roller conveyor is a short roller section with an integrated air-cylinder pusher mounted across the frame. When a carton reaches the pusher, a solenoid valve fires the cylinder and nudges the carton off the main line into a side lane — automatic diverting, sorting and rejection without a single operator. Optional photo-eye sensors trigger the push automatically. CE-certified and factory-direct.
Product Description
The SunAura pneumatic push roller conveyor is a compact sortation module designed to bolt into a roller line and automatically push selected cartons off to the side. The heart of the unit is a pneumatic cylinder (32–63mm bore, 100–300mm stroke) mounted horizontally across the roller bed. When a carton reaches the push position, a solenoid valve sends compressed air into the cylinder, extending a push arm that swipes the carton sideways onto a diverting or reject lane. The cylinder retracts immediately, ready for the next carton.
The roller section itself is short — 0.5–1m long — with Φ50mm rollers on an aluminum or stainless steel frame. Push force ranges 50–200N depending on cylinder bore, and operating pressure is the standard 0.4–0.6MPa plant air. The solenoid valve accepts 24VDC or 220VAC control, and an optional photo-eye sensor detects the approaching carton and fires the pusher automatically — so you can sort by barcode, by weight, or by simply diverting every Nth carton. It is the building block of a simple sortation system when you do not need a full high-speed sorter.
Every unit is air-tested and cycle-tested in our Qingdao factory before shipment. We configure cylinder bore, stroke, sensor position and control voltage to match your carton and line.
Technical Specifications
| Product Type | Pneumatic push (diverter) roller conveyor section |
|---|---|
| Roller Section Length | 0.5 – 1m |
| Roller Diameter | Φ50mm |
| Pneumatic Cylinder Bore | 32 – 63mm |
| Cylinder Stroke | 100 – 300mm |
| Push Force | 50 – 200 N |
| Operating Pressure | 0.4 – 0.6 MPa (plant compressed air) |
| Solenoid Valve | 24VDC / 220VAC control |
| Frame | Aluminum or stainless steel |
| Sensor | Optional photo-eye carton detector |
| Width | 300 – 600mm (custom) |
| Certification | CE Certified, ISO 9001 factory |
Key Features & Benefits
- Automatic carton diversion: The pneumatic cylinder pushes selected cartons to a side lane on command — no operator reaches in to redirect boxes by hand.
- 50–200N adjustable push force: Match cylinder bore and air pressure to your carton weight — light cartons at low pressure, heavy cases at higher bore.
- Optional photo-eye trigger: A photoelectric sensor detects the carton at the exact push position and fires the solenoid — repeatable timing on every carton.
- Compact 0.5–1m section: Short module bolts into an existing roller line without redesigning the whole layout.
- Standard plant air: Runs on 0.4–0.6MPa compressed air already available in most factories — no complex hydraulics.
- 24VDC or 220VAC control: Solenoid valve interfaces with PLCs, relay logic or simple push-button control boxes.
- Aluminum or stainless frame: Lightweight aluminum for dry packaging lines; stainless for food and washdown environments.
- Cycle-tested before shipment: Every unit is stroked hundreds of times on our air test bench before it leaves the factory.
Application Industries
Carton Sortation
Diverts cartons by destination or order into different chutes as they pass down a roller line.
Diverting to Side Lanes
Sends selected cartons off the main line to a secondary packing or inspection station.
Rejecting Defective Items
Knocks rejected or out-of-spec cartons off the line automatically when a checkweigher or vision system signals the reject.
Pushing to Packaging Stations
Feeds individual cartons to a packer or palletizer on the side of the main conveyor.
Accumulation Release
Releases one carton at a time from an accumulation queue onto a downstream machine.
Product compatibility: Rigid cartons and boxes that can withstand a controlled side push. Do not use for fragile bottles or unstable loads — those need a gentler belt transfer.
How the Pneumatic Push Conveyor Works
The diverter uses compressed air to actuate a push arm at exactly the right moment:
- Carton enters the roller section. The main roller line carries the carton onto the short push section at line speed.
- Photo-eye detects the carton. When the carton breaks the optional photoelectric beam, the sensor sends a signal to the control box.
- Solenoid valve fires the cylinder. The control box energizes the solenoid valve, routing 0.4–0.6MPa compressed air into the pneumatic cylinder.
- Push arm extends and diverts. The cylinder rod extends over a 100–300mm stroke, swiping the carton sideways off the roller bed into the side lane or reject chute.
- Cylinder retracts ready for the next carton. The valve reverses, pulling the push arm back so the following carton can pass straight through to the next station.
Is This the Right Conveyor for You?
This pneumatic push section is the right fit if your operation matches all four of the following. If you fall outside any of them, our team can recommend a different SunAura conveyor:
- You need to divert cartons off a roller line: If you want automatic sortation, rejection or side-lane feeding, this is the module. If you only need to turn product 90 degrees in place, use the turning roller conveyor instead.
- You have compressed air available: The pusher runs on 0.4–0.6MPa plant air. If your facility has no compressed air, we can discuss an electric servo pusher instead.
- Rigid cartons that can take a side push: The push is firm but controlled. Fragile bottles, jars or stacked loads should not be side-pushed — use a belt transfer.
- Simple sortation, not high-speed sorter: This is a cost-effective diverter for low-to-medium rates. If you need hundreds of cartons per minute across many lanes, you would need a dedicated sorter.
Troubleshooting Guide — Common Issues & Solutions
Pneumatic diverters are simple, but air supply, sensor timing and cylinder wear all affect performance. Below are the most common problems we diagnose remotely. Release air pressure before working on the cylinder.
| Problem | Possible Causes | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Pusher doesn’t fire | No air supply; solenoid valve not energized; sensor blocked; emergency stop on; valve coil failed. |
|
| Pusher fires but carton doesn’t move |
| |
| Push timing off — pushes empty space or misses carton | Photo-eye mis-positioned; line speed changed; sensor delay wrong; carton gaps uneven. |
|
| Cylinder leaks air | Worn piston seal; worn rod wiper; loose fitting; cracked tube. |
|
| Carton tips over when pushed | Push too fast; push height too high on the carton; carton tall and narrow; side lane not aligned. |
|
If the issue persists after trying these steps, email photos and a short 10-second video to [email protected] — our engineers usually diagnose the root cause within one business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What air supply do I need?
Standard plant compressed air at 0.4–0.6MPa (about 60–90 PSI) is all that is required. Most factories already have this. We supply the filter regulator and fittings; you just connect your air line to the inlet.
How do I control when the pusher fires?
Options range from a simple manual push-button, to an optional photo-eye that detects each carton, to a PLC signal from a checkweigher, barcode scanner or vision system. Tell us what triggers the diversion and we configure the valve and control voltage.
How heavy a carton can it push?
Push force ranges 50–200N depending on cylinder bore and air pressure. That easily pushes standard shipping cartons weighing a few kilograms on free-spinning rollers. For very heavy cartons we upsize to a 63mm bore cylinder or use two cylinders in series.
Can it push bottles or fragile products?
We do not recommend side-pushing unstable or fragile loads — the push can topple a bottle or scratch a jar. For those products, use a smooth belt transfer or a gentle push with a padded arm at low pressure. Tell us your product and we will advise.
What is the lead time and warranty?
Standard push sections ship in 15–20 days; custom bores, strokes and sensor integration take 25–30 days. The unit carries a 12-month warranty, plus lifetime support. Spare cylinders, seals and valves are dispatched worldwide within 48 hours.
Why Buy From SunAura Machinery
48,000㎡ Own Factory
In-house manufacturing in Qingdao, China — pneumatic sortation modules under one roof.
CE Certified
All conveyors meet European safety standards with full documentation.
ISO 9001:2015
Quality management system certified across the entire production process.
SGS Audited Factory
Third-party audited manufacturing facility with 20+ national patents.
12-Month Warranty
Full warranty covering parts and labor from the date of shipment.
Lifetime Support
Technical guidance via email, WhatsApp, and remote video for the conveyor’s life.
Spare Parts in 48h
Cylinders, valves and sensors shipped worldwide within 48 hours.
100+ Countries Served
Trusted by packaging, logistics and sortation lines worldwide.
Get a Factory-Direct Quote in 24 Hours
Tell us your carton size, line speed, and what triggers the diversion (manual, photo-eye, PLC) — our engineers reply with the right cylinder bore, FOB price and lead time within one business day. Every conveyor is built in our 48,000㎡ Qingdao factory, CE & ISO 9001 certified.
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