Casters have become indispensable components in numerous fields, including industrial production, warehousing and logistics, medical equipment, and furniture manufacturing. Different types of casters vary significantly in load capacity, wear resistance, quietness, high-temperature resistance, and service life, making the selection of the right caster crucial. This article provides an in-depth analysis from multiple perspectives to help buyers, engineers, and business users scientifically select the right caster for their specific needs. If you need to purchase or wholesale casters, please contact Giessen Caster Supplier (email: Giessencasters@gmail.com, website: https://www.giessencasters.com).
Wheel: Determines the rolling performance, wear resistance, and load capacity of the caster. Common materials include polyurethane (PU), nylon, rubber, and cast iron.
Bracket: Used to secure the caster and is typically divided into fixed and universal brackets. The bracket material determines the strength and durability of the caster. Bearing: Affects rolling smoothness and load-bearing capacity. Common types include needle roller bearings, ball bearings, and plain bearings.
Brake: Locks the caster when needed to ensure equipment safety.
Swivel Casters: Swivel casters offer 360° swivelability and flexibility, making them suitable for applications requiring frequent movement.
Rigid Casters: Rigid casters offer linear movement only and high stability, often used in conjunction with swivel casters.
Brake Casters: Brake casters offer added braking functionality and are often used for equipment requiring temporary fixed positions.
Special-purpose casters, such as high-temperature resistant casters, anti-static casters, and medical silent casters, meet specific application requirements.
Load-bearing capacity is a key factor in caster selection. If the total weight of the equipment is W and the number of casters installed is N, the theoretical load-bearing capacity of each caster should be W/N. However, in actual applications, a safety factor of 1.2 to 1.5 times is generally required.
Load Classification | Single Wheel Load Capacity | Typical Applications |
Light-Duty Casters | ≤ 100 kg | Furniture, display racks, small equipment |
Medium-Duty Casters | 100-500 kg | Warehouse carts, factory tool tables |
Heavy-Duty Casters | 500-2000 kg | Machinery, heavy-duty shelving |
Extra-Heavy-Duty Casters | ≥ 2000 kg | Aerospace equipment, large production lines |
Light-Duty Applications: Rubber wheels and PVC wheels offer excellent shock absorption and quiet operation.
Medium-Duty Applications: Polyurethane (PU) wheels offer excellent wear resistance and smooth rolling.
Heavy-Duty Applications: Nylon wheels and cast iron wheels offer strong load-bearing capacity but are more abrasive to the floor.
Extra-Heavy-Duty Applications: Forged steel wheels or high-performance polyurethane wheels are suitable for industrial environments.
Different working environments have specific requirements for caster performance. Factors such as temperature, humidity, chemical corrosion, and floor material should be comprehensively considered when selecting casters.
High-temperature environments: For ovens and food baking workshops, high-temperature-resistant materials (phenolic resin wheels or high-temperature-resistant nylon wheels) are required, and the bearings should be lubricated with heat-resistant grease.
Low-temperature environments: For cold storage and cold chain transport vehicles, TPU or nylon wheels with excellent low-temperature performance are required to ensure flexible operation in sub-zero environments.
Humid environments: Casters with stainless steel frames should be selected, and the wheel body can be made of polyurethane or nylon to prevent rust.
Chemically corrosive environments: Polypropylene (PP) or Teflon wheels are recommended for their acid and alkali resistance.
Floor Type | Recommended Wheel Material | Features |
Smooth Ceramic Tiles | Rubber Wheels | Quiet, Strong Grip |
Concrete Floors | PU Wheels | Wear-Resistant, Protective |
Steel Floors | Nylon Wheels | Strong Load-Bearing Capacity, Impact Resistance |
Epoxy Floors | PU/TPR Wheels | Smooth Rolling, Less Damage to the Floor |
Noise control is particularly important in places like hospitals, libraries, and laboratories. Choose casters made of TPR (Thermoplastic Rubber) or soft rubber, equipped with precision bearings to reduce noise.
In electronics factories and cleanrooms, static electricity accumulation must be avoided. Choose anti-static or conductive casters to ensure production safety.
Casters with a single brake: Only the wheel is locked.
Casters with a double brake: Both the wheel and the bracket are locked, suitable for equipment with high safety requirements.
Medical casters: Quiet, anti-tangling design, suitable for hospital beds and carts.
Aircraft casters: Lightweight, wear-resistant, and high-load capacity.
Furniture casters: Attractive appearance, easy installation, mostly for light-load use.
Identify the application scenario: Industrial, medical, warehousing, or furniture, etc.
Confirm load requirements: Calculate based on equipment weight and safety factor.
Consider floor conditions: Avoid wear and slip.
Determine functional requirements: such as quietness, anti-static, and high-temperature resistance.
Choose the right supplier: Ensure quality and after-sales service.
Supplier Qualifications: Select an experienced caster supplier to ensure their products comply with international standards (such as EN 12530 and ANSI/BIFMA).
Quality Inspection: Check that the casters have passed wear, fatigue, and impact tests.
Wholesale Advantages: Bulk purchasing reduces costs, and we recommend establishing stable relationships with long-term suppliers.
As an industry-experienced caster supplier, Giessen offers a full range of caster solutions, from light to heavy duty, and from general to special applications. Whether your needs are for industrial production or medical equipment, Giessen can provide professional selection guidance and high-quality products.
For purchases or wholesale, please contact Giessen Caster Supplier via email at Giessencasters@gmail.com or visit the official website at https://www.giessencasters.com for more product information.
Future casters may integrate sensors to monitor load, temperature, and mileage in real time, and integrate with factory management systems through the Internet of Things, enhancing their intelligence.
With the development of polymer and composite materials, casters will become even lighter, more durable, and more environmentally friendly.
The demands for casters vary increasingly across different businesses. Customized casters will become a trend in the future, meeting individual needs for size, color, material, and functionality.
Choosing the right caster not only improves equipment efficiency, but also extends its service life and reduces maintenance costs. When selecting a caster, consider the load capacity, operating environment, functional requirements, and supplier qualifications. As a professional caster supplier, Giessen is committed to providing high-quality caster products and solutions to customers worldwide.
For purchasing or wholesale needs, please contact Giessen at Giessencasters@gmail.com or visit their official website at https://www.giessencasters.com.
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