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Industrial casters, as a fundamental yet indispensable moving component, are widely used in aviation manufacturing, ground support equipment, test platforms, and maintenance systems. High-quality casters can maintain stable loads and flexible steering in extreme environments, significantly improving efficiency in the aerospace industry. This article will systematically analyze the applications of industrial casters in aerospace from four perspectives, combining technical details with supply chain selection to provide professional reference for corporate procurement.
To purchase or wholesale industrial casters, please contact Giessen Casters at Giessencasters@gmail.com or visit the official website: https://www.giessencasters.com.
The aviation manufacturing process involves thousands of parts, ranging in size from tiny fasteners to massive wing sections. Transporting parts between assembly lines requires extremely high stability and load-bearing capacity from the moving system.
Application Scenarios:
Trolleys for transporting large components such as wings, engines, and landing gear. Caster Features:
High load capacity: Typically, a single wheel can carry ≥ 2000kg.
Highly wear-resistant polyurethane material: Reduces floor damage and ensures smooth movement.
Low rolling resistance: Improves transport efficiency and reduces labor consumption.
In aviation manufacturing plants, AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) are used to transport small parts and tools. High-precision industrial casters are often used on the undercarriage of AGVs.
Benefits:
Ensures smooth operation of automated paths.
Reduces the impact of vibration on component precision.
Improves assembly efficiency and reduces manual intervention.
Aviation manufacturing environments are subject to complex conditions such as oil, metal debris, and high humidity. Industrial casters require the following features:
Corrosion-resistant stainless steel or electroplated alloy brackets.
Anti-static caster design to prevent sparks and accidents.
Heat-resistant casters (-40°C to 200°C) suitable for spraying, welding, and heat treatment processes.
Aircraft operations on the ground require a large amount of GSE (Ground Support Equipment), such as boarding stairs, luggage carts, and maintenance work platforms, all of which rely on industrial casters.
Load Requirements: Each caster must be able to carry 500-1000 kg and maintain stability.
Safety: The braking system must be reliable to prevent the equipment from sliding on the apron.
Material Selection: Use solid rubber or highly elastic polyurethane to ensure that the ground does not damage the aircraft.
On airport runways and aprons, vehicles must travel long distances.
Key Caster Performance Requirements: High-speed wear resistance; high-temperature weather resistance to withstand summer heat and runway friction; UV resistance to extend service life.
Inside hangar maintenance platforms require casters with flexible steering for easy movement and securement.
Multi-directional swivel casters are suitable for smaller operations. Casters with brakes ensure secure positioning.
Aviation components (engines, landing gear) undergo multiple stress and durability tests before leaving the factory, and test platforms are often heavy and bulky.
Caster Selection: Heavy-duty casters with a single load capacity of ≥ 5000kg.
Cushioning Design: Use shock-absorbing casters to reduce impact between test equipment and the ground.
In aviation laboratories, test equipment is sophisticated and expensive, and casters play a vital role in providing "flexible movement and precise positioning."
Requirements:
Ultra-low noise operation to minimize interference.
Adjustable height to facilitate horizontal alignment of experimental equipment.
Anti-static design to ensure experimental safety.
Aerospace testing requires numerous mobile data acquisition platforms.
Casters should be able to withstand extended movement without deformation.
Brake and locking devices should be provided to ensure stable experimental data.
Aircraft require regular maintenance during their service life, and support equipment in maintenance workshops and aprons relies heavily on casters.
Mid-duty swivel casters are often used for lightweight and flexible applications.
Anti-tangling features prevent metal shavings or rags from interfering with operation.
Aerial work platforms require heavy-duty casters with brakes.
High-temperature-resistant casters are used in special scenarios to withstand the heat of engine maintenance.
Material handling carts in aviation parts warehouses often use wear-resistant polyurethane casters to ensure:
Smooth movement;
Ground protection;
Long load life.
To help purchasers quickly select a caster, the following table compares the technical parameters of several common types of casters for aviation applications.
Table 1: Caster Performance Parameters for Different Application Scenarios
| Application Scenario | Load Capacity | Material Selection | Special Requirements |
| Aviation Manufacturing Assembly Trolley | 2000kg/wheel or more | High-strength polyurethane + steel core | Anti-static/High-temperature Resistant |
| Airboarding/Maintenance Ladder | 500-1000kg | Solid Rubber/Polyurethane | Anti-slip Brake |
| Test Platform | 5000kg or more | Cast Steel + Shock-absorbing design | Impact resistance/high strength |
| Instrument and laboratory equipment | 100-300kg | anti-static polyurethane | Silent/height-adjustable |
Table 2: Comparison of Common Caster Materials for Aerospace Environments
| Material Type | Advantages | Disadvantages | Applicable Applications |
| Polyurethane | Wear-resistant, high-load-bearing capacity, and floor protection | High cost, not suitable for high-temperature environments | Parts carts, warehousing and logistics |
| Rubber | Good cushioning and quiet | Prone to aging, limited load capacity | Boarding stairs, maintenance vehicles |
| Nylon | Low rolling resistance and chemical resistance | High noise, high hardness, and prone to floor damage | AGVs, automated equipment |
| Cast steel | Extremely high load-bearing capacity and impact resistance | Heavy weight and limited mobility | Test benches, heavy-duty equipment |
In an industry like aerospace, which places extremely high demands on safety and reliability, selecting a qualified caster supplier is particularly important.
Qualifications and Certifications: Suppliers must hold quality management system certifications such as ISO9001 and AS9100.
Customization Capabilities: Whether special designs such as anti-static, high-temperature, and corrosion-resistant can be provided. Delivery Capability: Does the supplier have the capacity for mass production and rapid delivery?
After-sales Support: Provides regular inspections, replacement recommendations, and technical support.
Although industrial casters are small components, they play a crucial role in the aerospace industry chain. They are directly related to production efficiency, equipment safety, and operating costs. Whether it's assembly platforms in manufacturing plants, ground support equipment at airports, or test laboratories and maintenance support systems, industrial casters play an irreplaceable role.
If you're looking for a reliable caster supplier, please contact Giessen Casters:
Email: Giessencasters@gmail.com
Official Website: https://www.giessencasters.com
Through professional selection and precise application, casters will continue to play a key role in the future of aerospace.
