Low electrostatic discharge conveyor

摘要

A conveyor for transporting objects sensitive to electrostatic discharge. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a roller conveyor with conductive rollers in electrical communication with an electrical ground. The rollers preferably have about 10⁵ ohms resistance from the outer diameter to the inner diameter to ensure that electrostatic charges built up on the conveyed object can flow to ground, yet not flow too quickly. In another embodiment, the roller shafts are supported on highly conductive bushings that provide a path to electrical ground that is preferably less that 10⁴ ohms. In yet another embodiment, the roller shafts are driven by a conductive pulley that minimizes the build-up of electrostatic charge as a result of a triboelectric effect with the drive belt.