With the rapid growth of e-commerce and parcel delivery in Thailand, large sorting centers are installing ever-longer roller conveyor systems. As parcel volume increases and more slopes and curves are added, engineers are becoming concerned about a problem that used to be overlooked: when the system stops on an incline or in an accumulation zone, some driven rollers can run backward with the parcels, affecting sorting performance and creating safety risks. The challenge is that traditional backstop devices are often bulky—adding them to the drive end means longer frames and redesigned drive modules, which is not ideal for retrofitting existing systems.

For compact roller drives, we recommend using an integrated one-way clutch bearing at the roller end, combining support and backstop in a single component. Our company’s Suma GFK series follows this concept. Models such as GFK30 and GFK35 suit approx. 30–35 mm shaft diameters, with external dimensions close to 63-series ball bearings, so they can be mounted directly in roller end caps or frame bearing housings. Inside, a sprag-type one-way mechanism runs with low friction in the forward direction, then locks quickly when the conveyor stops or a reverse torque appears, providing a compact and reliable backstop function.

In a retrofit project at a major Thai sorting center, the system integrator gradually replaced existing drive sections with standard modules equipped with Suma GFK30/35. The modification required only changing the end caps and bearings—frame length and supports remained largely unchanged. Stop tests showed that on sloped sections, parcels experienced only slight movement after shutdown and remained essentially in place, instead of rushing backward as before. Thanks to built-in seals and pre-filled grease, GFK bearings tolerate warehouse dust and temperature variations well, so the maintenance team only checks clearance and rotation condition during annual service.

For engineering companies, adopting Suma GFK as the standard for drive rollers helps unify shaft diameters and end-cap designs, making it easier to reuse proven solutions on new lines and extensions. For operators, the backstop function is “hidden” inside the bearing, taking no additional space while significantly reducing shutdown incidents and manual intervention.