tretter104171Dr. Tretter offers a wide range of standardBall Transfer Unitswith which users can effortlessly move loads of different weights and thus ensure a smooth flow of materials. From a certain number of items, the manufacturer also supplies solutions according to customer specifications. New to the range are the “Air Cargo” series ball transfer units (photo), which are significantly lighter and more resilient than competing products.


tretter204171Ball rollers are machine elements used in conveyor technology for turntables or turntables, switches or crossings in baggage sorting systems, insertion devices on presses or shears. They store, for example, tool holders, templates, devices, but also sliding walls and can position workpieces very accurately. "With these components, the large running ball lies in a shell on many small balls," explains Dipl. Ing. Alexander Rubin at Dr. Ing. Tretter. The protruding from the housing, freely movable ball carries thereby the load to be transported. It can roll in all directions. An annular felt seal around the ball protects the small balls from large amounts of dust and dirt.

Individual material combination

tretter304171"With the ball rollers, conveyor speeds of up to two meters per second can be implemented," explains Alexander Rubin. "Depending on the application, the running balls are made of different materials." Plastic is suitable for sensitive conveying loads - for example made of glass - or for metal sheets. For heavy loads, shock loads or high temperatures, steel is used; In aggressive environmental conditions, the bearing balls including housing made of stainless steel. The maximum temperature for elements with steel ball and felt seal is 100 °, with plastic ball 60 ° C.

"We supply ball rollers in different designs and sizes for every scenario," says Alexander Rubin. These include the flat, lightweight and inexpensive Saturn ball rollers made of sheet steel, which can be used in tight spaces because of their low installation depth. They can be installed directly via the integrated mounting holes in the housing. In addition, they have bottom holes, so that the dirt can escape. Optionally, felt seals are available to prevent dust from entering. Users can request all components made of stainless steel or with plastic ball.


Tilt wheels and rollersHigh quality wheels and castors for industrial applications


If the user needs lightweight castors with good running performance at a low cost, standard steel sheet versions are an appropriate solution. Thanks to their cup shape, they can be mounted quickly and easily: they are inserted into a bore without any further fastening elements. Their typical uses can be found in assembly areas and in warehouse technology.

Cup rollers for higher load ratings

tretter404171The more robust pot rollers are similar to the standard ball transfer units. However, they are made of solid steel and thus achieve higher load ratings and are more robust when subjected to shock loads. From size 15, the cover is also made of solid steel and prevents the ball from flanging if the load starts up at an angle. On the assembly side, there are pot rolls with or without a collar. For corrosive environments they can be made entirely of stainless steel. Depending on the application, there are different ball variants. They are used, for example, in feeders, in stamping shops, in sheet metal and metal processing or as airport rollers.

The bowl of the heavy duty ball transfer units is a hardened and polished saucer-shaped steel table. This changes neither the load rating nor the rolling resistance of the ball - regardless of the position in which it is installed. This property makes the construction suitable for heavy loads and for overhead installation. The design offers higher load ratings and shock loads with a compact design. The principle also enables quiet and even running behavior. Designers install them in classic mechanical and plant engineering.

Stored on the plate spring

tretter504171Pot and heavy duty ball rollers can also be stored on disc springs - as so-called spring-loaded ball rollers. Because overloads or when the preload force is exceeded, these variants fall, several ball rollers come into play, and the load is distributed evenly. This leads to an even quieter running behavior. The preload force can be interpreted specifically for this purpose.

The spring-loaded ball transfer units are particularly suitable for dies, press and tool tables. On request, the manufacturer supplies the elements galvanized, in stainless steel or in special sizes. "From medium quantities, we manufacture not only standard but also special ball transfer units according to customer specifications", says Alexander Rubin. "These include ball transfer units with an external thread on the housing and square flange to level the height, as well as with threaded pins or with fastening holes in the collar or with recess." If required, complete solutions, for example in the form of ball transfer tables, are also possible.

Lightweight and very resilient

tretter604171New to the program Petter the Air Cargo Ball Rollers. These are particularly lightweight ball rollers with increased load capacity. Users receive these as Saturn ball and as cup wheels. Both types are resistant to dirt and corrosion, very smooth and durable. Designed as cup rollers, the Air Cargo versions with their additionally integrated stainless steel trays have a higher load capacity up to 35% compared to types with conventional solid steel housing. "And that with a dead weight reduced by up to 42 percent, which we make possible through various material combinations," says Alexander Rubin.

To save further 30% weight, the user can choose a hollow ball. The ball rollers are used, for example, in airport decks and conveyor belts. They are also being used more and more in machine feed tables and equipment. All construction types are completely available in rust-resistant design.


Another contribution of the manufacturer

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