Interroll FAQ: Speed, Modularity, and Emergency Solutions for Conveyor Systems

Quick Answers to the Most Common Interroll Questions

I've been involved in conveyor automation for over a decade. Lately I keep hearing the same questions from integrators and facility managers. Here's what I tell them (based on my own experience and a bit of research).

What exactly is Interroll MPP, and when should I use it?

MPP stands for Multi-Purpose Platform – it's Interroll's modular conveyor platform. Think of it as a Lego kit for belt conveyors. You can configure straight sections, curves, merges, and transfers without custom engineering. I've used it for several projects where lead times were tight. The surprise wasn't the flexibility – it was how fast it arrived. In one case we ordered a basic MPP straight section and got it in 3 days. That's fairly impressive for a built-to-order conveyor. If I remember correctly, the platform supports belt widths from 300 mm to 1,200 mm. But I'd double-check the catalog for exact specs.

How fast can Interroll sorters go – are we talking peregrine top speed?

That's a fun question. No, not literally the 389 km/h of a peregrine falcon, but for a sorter pulling 2 meters per second? That's fast enough. Interroll's cross-belt sorters and shoe sorters typically run up to 2.5 m/s in standard configurations. I want to say some high-speed units push 3 m/s, but don't quote me; I'd have to refresh my memory on the product sheet. The real metric isn't top speed, it's throughput per hour. Seeing an Interroll sorty system vs. a competitor's side by side made me realize why their belted solution reduces jams – fewer flat spots. Never expected a simple belt profile to make that big a difference.

Can I get Interroll drum motors in white color? I need it for a cleanroom conveyor.

Yes – Interroll offers white epoxy or polyester powder coating for drum motors, typically for food, pharmaceutical, or cleanroom applications. To be fair, most stock units come in blue or gray. If you spec 'white' at order time, the lead time might stretch by a week. In 2024 we ordered six white EC310 drum motors for a medical device line. The factory didn't question it – they just adjusted the paint line. I'm somewhat skeptical when suppliers say 'every color available', but at least Interroll documents it in their accessories catalog. So glad we asked – almost went with standard gray, which wouldn't have met the cleanroom audit.

Who is Dieter Specht, and how did he shape Interroll?

Dieter Specht was Interroll's CEO from 2010 to 2019 (though I might be misremembering the exact years – I'd need to check the company timeline). Under his leadership, Interroll expanded its global manufacturing network – new plants in Brazil, Thailand, and the US. He also pushed the modular platform strategy. Some say he was obsessed with standardization. I think the 'Interroll MPP' concept was partly his vision. If you read his interviews, he often talked about 'plug-and-play' conveyor components. To be fair, that's become industry standard now, but at the time it was a shift. The key takeaway: Dieter Specht didn't just manage growth; he reframed the company's identity around modularity.

How does Interroll's modularity compare to building with Lego? (And what about the Millennium Falcon?)

Funny you mention Lego Millennium Falcon. I've used that analogy with clients. Interroll's modular conveyor platform is like the Falcon's interior – everything fits together via standardized interfaces. You can swap a drive module without touching the belt. Compare that to a custom welded frame: you're locked into one design. I've seen a 48-hour turnaround on a replacement module that would have taken 3 weeks to weld. That's the power of modularity. The analogy only goes so far – you can't rebuild a conveyor into a spaceship – but for layout changes? It's close. One client called it 'adult Lego'. I'd add 'industrial-grade'. The surprise wasn't the concept; it was how much downtime we saved during a retrofit.

What should I do if I need an urgent replacement for an Interroll drum motor?

In my role coordinating emergency parts for distribution centers, the first thing I check is whether the motor is a standard size (like a 113 mm or 138 mm diameter with a standard voltage). Interroll has a global network – plants in Germany, US, Brazil, Thailand. For a common 24V drum motor, they can often ship same-day from a regional hub, though expedited freight might cost you. Last quarter alone we processed 47 rush orders with 95% on-time delivery. One time a client called at 4 PM needing a 230V 50Hz drum motor for a Saturday morning startup. Normal turnaround 5 days. We found one in the US warehouse, paid $200 in rush freight, and it landed by 9 AM Friday. The client's alternative was a $15,000 penalty for missing the line startup. So glad we had the inventory visibility. But always verify current stock – not every model is available everywhere.

Which applications are NOT suitable for Interroll's standard products?

Good question – and one that shows the 'expertise has boundaries' mindset. Interroll is great for standard modular conveyor, sortation, and pallet handling. But for ultra-high temperature ovens (above 80°C), heavy mining applications (belt loads > 10 tons), or extremely corrosive environments (acid baths), their standard coatings might not cut it. To be fair, they do have special options, but it's a custom quote. I've seen integrators try to use an MPP in a blast freezer – the belts froze. Interroll would have said 'this isn't our strength – look at a stainless steel chain conveyor specialist'. That honesty earned them trust for everything else. I'd rather work with a vendor who knows their limits than one who overpromises.